Following this weeks decision to approve a large subdivision in Cambewarra, every voter in the Shoalhaven should be asking councillors who they are representing. In this case it would appear to be a single developer against more than 90% of the village.
Cambewarra Residents Against Senseless Subdivision(C.R.O.S.S.) was established in late 1992 to fight the proposed expansion of the village zone. The rezoning proposal involved 59.74 acres of prime agricultural land running west from Hockeys Lane and adjoining the current south west village boundary. (Ref. map.) This subdivision would add an additional 64 housing lots to the present village. Residents are concerned this will set a rezoning precedent for other landholders with property adjoining present village boundaries.
Cambewarra village facilities were designed to cater for a maximum population of 1200. As homes are built on the remaining 50 vacant blocks in the village, the population will be in excess 1200 and the supporting infrastructure will be stressed. The new school already has demountables
Residents fear they would eventually be absorbed into the North Nowra urban sprawl and would lose their village identity..
In 1993 C.R.O.S.S. surveyed every household within the village boundaries. An overwhelming majority (94.6%) were opposed to the rezoning.
Council knew the proposal was not in accordance with their published Local Environment Plan (Policies for Planning and Development - Shoalhaven Beyond 1990 (June 1990))
The NSW Government Department of Planning in Wollongong advised Council that this particular proposal "is inconsistent with the Council's own Planning Policy " (22nd Jan. 1993)
Councils own planning Department had written:
"the basis for support for this application would be the ability
to obtain an area for a playing field, however that need is being provided
elsewhere and therefor, there is no reasonable justification for rezoning
of the subject land. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR REZONING" (22 June
1992)
The draft Local Environment Plan for the rezoning was available for public comment earlier this year. The opposition continued. The 301 occupied homes within the village boundary were again surveyed. Only 12 families were in favour of the proposal, some wished to remain neutral and 251 families stated they did not want any expansion of the village beyond its present size.
Despite all of the above, Council has encouraged the developer to proceed. The rezoning is directly contrary to council's own Regional Planning Policy, it is against the advice of Councils own planning experts, it is contrary to the State and Regional planning policies and against the majority of residents wishes. Why has council allowed it to proceed?
At the ordinary meeting Tuesday 16th September, Council voted 6:6 for
the subdivision. Mayor Max Atkins then used his casting vote to give the
subdivision the "green" light.