The 960-lot Averys Village at Heddon Greta is one step closer to fruition after Cessnock City Council voted to forward the planning proposal to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
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The completed development could house up to 2400 people, doubling the population of Heddon Greta.
At last Wednesday night’s meeting, councillors voted 12 to one to forward the planning proposal to the Department for finalisation; adopt the development control plan and Section 94 plan; and publish notification of the draft Averys Village Planning Agreement and invite public comment.
Council’s group leader strategy and sustainability, Louise Gee, said the development will help meet the demand for housing that is predicted in the area in the near future.
“Averys Village will increase housing supply in an area of the local government area that will experience significantly increased demand as a result of the completion of the Hunter Expressway in 2013,” Ms. Gee said.
“The Planning Proposal, DCP, Section 94 Plan and PA (planning agreement) will help ensure that development on the site is well managed, has a minimal impact on the surrounding area and that adequate infrastructure and facilities are provided.”
Cr. Bryce Gibson said the development was exciting and proved Cessnock City Council was “open for business”.
Clauses were included in the draft development control plan regarding Kurri Golf Club and Heddon Greta Drive-In after speakers at council’s March 6 meeting raised a number of issues.
In the fortnight between the developer (Hunter Land) worked with council to address these issues.
A $2.2 million upgrade of the intersection of Main Road and Heddon Street has been included in the Section 94 plan.
Additional provisions have been included in the DCP which provide some specific measures that should be undertaken to increase the buffer between the golf club and new residential development.
Considerations have been included in the draft DCP in order to further safeguard the ongoing viability of the drive-in, including the upgrading of Averys Lane to collector road standards.
Concerns over copyright (raised by drive-in proprietor Scott Seddon at the March 6 meeting) were deemed to be a legal matter rather than a planning issue.
Mr. Seddon had said at the March 6 meeting that the drive-in and the development could not co-exist, but said council has acknowledged the basic issues that would affect the drive-in’s operations.
“At least the council has addressed the three main issues we were concerned with, and added paragraphs to the control plan,” he said.
“We can now look forward to where we are going in the future and can continue with our plans of upgrading the facility.
“We are expecting digital conversion within the month, which is a really big step, so it’s all really onward and upwards from here on.”
Cr. James Ryan opposed the recommendation and said he would be expressing his concerns to the Minister for Planning.
The future of the drive-in was one of his main concerns.
“The drive-in is a terrific community asset,” Cr. Ryan said.
“I know from first hand experience that it is the most economical way to take your children to the movies.
‘Losing this community asset will definitely detract from the affordability and quality of life of local families.
“Underscoring this is the knowledge that there is no shortage of housing in the Kurri and Cessnock areas; we do not need to approve the extra 960 houses for the sake of a property development company.
“What we really need to do is maintain our community facilities,” Cr. Ryan said.
