A request by Palms Oasis Caravan Park owners,  Ingenia Communities Group to rezone around two hectares of land adjoining the northern boundary of the park from E2 Environmental Conservation to RE2 Private Recreation to facilitate the park’s expansion has been deferred by MidCoast Council.

At the December monthly ordinary meeting held in Taree, councillors unanimously agreed to defer the decision in order to hold a workshop about the matter.

Council was presented with a report about the community and public agency submissions received in relation to the planning proposal for the land adjoining the Palms Oasis Caravan Park at Blueys Beach and asked to note the issues and adopt the proposal.

Among the five listed matters the proposal seeks by amending the Great Lakes Local Environmental Plan 2014, is the rezoning of the two hectare parcel to assist with the caravan park extension and the drawing up of a planning agreement for the permanent protection of about 60 hectares of ecologically sensitive land to be given to council.

The matter attracted two public speakers, Scott Pearse and Daniel Collings, in support of the recommendation, as well as some discussion among councillors about the financial burden to ratepayers for the ongoing maintenance of the land. 

Cr Kathryn Bell questioned council’s acting director planning and natural systems, Paul De Szell about the ongoing costs and how it is determined.

Mr De Szell explained how the financial arrangement, meaning how much is paid to council upfront for the maintenance of the land, is determined by an series of calculations.

Cr Bell asked if the calculations included the construction of up to 155 new homes as proposed by the Palms Oasis Caravan Park owners in a development application lodged on September 20, 2018.

As this was not the case, Cr Bell spoke out against the motion to approve the planning proposal as she wasn’t satisfied with the funding arrangement. 

Cr Katheryn Smith moved an amendment to the recommendation to have the matter deferred for a workshop which was seconded by Cr Bell.

The matter was taken to a vote and unanimously passed.

Recapping:

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