If approved, the 800-lot development would double the population of Broulee even though the site is not recognised for growth by any regional or local strategy. Image: Brightlands Living.
A proposal for a new 800-lot housing development incorporating a market garden and wellness centre is to be considered at next week’s meeting of Eurobodalla Shire Council.
The development known as ‘The Farm’ located at 207 Broulee Road is proposed for a 126.7 hectare site incorporating the Mount Oldrey Homestead and part of the Illawong Nature Reserve.
The site is currently used for grazing cattle and zoned RU1 Primary Production and C2 Environmental Conservation.
The development would allow about 800 low and medium density dwellings with an average lot size of 600 sqm, targeted to a mix of markets comprising over 55s, families and workers, in clustered housing ‘hamlets’ linked by private roads.
The master plan also includes an ‘agri-hood’ centre, wellness centre, cafe and market gardens.
The proposal, by Sydney-based developer Brightlands Living, would require a rezoning to allow for an expansion of Broulee village to the west side of George Bass Drive – setting a precedent for future development outside the Eurobodalla Rural Lands Strategy and the Eurobodalla Settlement Strategy.
The Brightlands Living website names developer Ed Fernon, a dual Olympian, as co-CEO with IT and wellness professional Craig Schuetrumpf.
Past applications for development consideration on the corner of Broulee Road and George Bass Drive, including a school, have been rejected on environmental grounds.
A planning proposal review prepared by an external consultant and presented to Eurobodalla Shire Council in July recommends the proposal not be supported.
Council will consider whether it should support the planning proposal at the meeting on Tuesday 20 February.
Region understands some councillors may be considering approving the proposal against advice of council staff and the external expert advice.
The review and report prepared by an external consultant, and published on the Eurobodalla Shire Council website, documents a long list of concerns, primary among them that the draft planning proposal would double the current population even though the site is not recognised for growth by any regional or local strategy.
The consultant’s report states, “While the ‘agri-hood’ vision in itself is commendable, it is considered that the draft planning proposal is inconsistent with the vision and planning of the strategic planning framework at State Government and Eurobodalla Council levels.
“This includes being inconsistent with the draft South East and Tablelands Regional Plan, council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement and various state environmental planning policies and Ministerial directions.
“The proposal is inconsistent, or its consistency is not able to be demonstrated, with various Eurobodalla Council strategies including the Eurobodalla Rural Lands Strategy and the Eurobodalla Settlement Strategy.
“The most fundamental issue is the site not being located within any current adopted growth area identified by the strategic planning framework. The proposed scale of growth and location is a significant departure from the strategic planning framework.”
The development would allow about 800 low and medium density dwellings in clustered housing ‘hamlets’ linked by private roads. Image: Brightlands Living.
The character of the proposal was also of significant concern, with the report stating, “It comprises a large development, essentially urban in density, form and character, on currently unserviced and isolated rural land.
“It will require a significant infrastructure investment.
“There are uncertainties in the delivery of infrastructure, in particular that of water and sewer, roads and public transport. It will result in the dispersal and inadequacy of infrastructure provision in Eurobodalla Shire and divert resources from the existing priority growth areas.
“The site will substantially change the rural character and impact Broulee village and the surrounding critically environmentally sensitive area.
“In conclusion, the extent of the inconsistency is significant, and it will undermine the achievement of council’s current long-term planning. It is therefore recommended that the proposal not be supported.”
No community consultation has been undertaken at this preliminary stage of the application.
The report states, “The proponent has undertaken limited, selective consultation with key stakeholders and other interested parties within the community, some of whom have indicated support to the proposal.”
However, some community groups named in the proposal as supporting the development have since denied offering support.
One group, the Broulee Mossy Point Community Association (BMPCA), has written to council opposing the development on a number of grounds saying: “The development does not provide a good model for housing development in the Eurobodalla”. It cites risks of environmental damage and says it “is contrary to the long-term concept of Broulee as an integrated village”.
“The BMPCA does support the design of future housing development to meet environmental considerations … it does not see this proposal as meeting these criteria.”
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