Clarence City Council has provided its response to Chambroad’s application for its Kangaroo Bay development to be declared a major project by the State Government, to the Minister for Planning.
Mayor Brendan Blomeley said the proposal does not have the necessary attributes to qualify as a major project. The Act intends that major project status should be strictly reserved for developments of a scale, impact or complexity that set them apart from other developments of similar character.
“I question the eligibility of this project to be declared a ‘major project’ – this is not a unique project within the context of the southern region, with this initial process by the Minister potentially setting a very low threshold for future applications,” Mayor Blomeley said.
“While this application deals with the development side of the process, attention must also be given to the fact that the Council and Chambroad are engaged in a legal buy-back process for the land, so I ask – If land ownership is on the table, how can the Minister grant approval for a development proposal to be considered by an expert panel if the proponent may not own the land?”
“There is a serious risk that this process will result in very considerable waste of public moneys and other resources better directed to other purposes within the community.”
The Council has provided a public summary of its submission to the Minister, which can be viewed here.