Pressure To Adapt For Zone
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday January 18, 2006
CESSNOCK City Council will consider tonight whether to change the focus of Australia's biggest industrial subdivision and altering its environmental objectives.
A five-page report by planner Jacqui Tupper proposes amendments to planning documents for Kurri Kurri's Hunter Economic Zone in response to a request by the development company HEZ Pty Ltd.She said yesterday that the "minor wording changes" were appropriate because they standardised words with those used in other planning documents and did not alter the subdivision's employment intention or water down environmental safeguards.HEZ project director Darryl Kite agreed, saying the changes would make the subdivision's planning documents "more workable". Cr James Ryan objected, saying the changes would dilute the subdivision's original intention to cater for large-scale industries by allowing any type of development on the site and reduce the area's environmental protection. Cessnock Mayor John Clarence declined to comment on the situation.Ms Tupper's report said the subdivision's objectives should be altered "to encourage major industry or other employment development".The present objectives include the "prohibiting" of developments that contribute to the degradation of the Wallis and Fishery creeks catchments and developments that expose residents and the environment to unacceptable levels of pollution or hazards risks.These objectives require the minimising of vegetation clearing to allow for the movement and survival of native fauna and flora by conserving native corridors.Ms Tupper's report suggests the words "prohibiting" and "prohibit" be taken out of the documents and replaced with words that ensure developments reflect "best practices" that "adequately protect" water catchments.Cr Ryan said: "Changing the rules will put the site's 34 threatened species at more risk and increase the amount of general industrial land, of which the Lower Hunter has a glut."
© 2006 Newcastle Herald