The coastal subdivision, known as Rainbow Beach in Area 14, was approved by the Northern Joint Regional Planning Panel’s public meeting last Wednesday in Wauchope.
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The staged 702-lot subdivision, between Bonny Hills and Lake Cathie, will include a residential subdivision, two school sites, playing fields and open space, a constructed wetland, a business/retail centre and an ecotourist site.
Speaking at the Northern Joint Regionals Planning Panel (JRPP) were presidents of the progress associations of Lake Cathie, Sue East, and Bonny Hills, Roger Barlow. Both noted their concerns on the impact the development will have on the road network, electricity and water supplies.
Representatives from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council stated the augmented water system on Ocean Drive was currently being installed. The council said the development’s entry points to Ocean Drive would need to be upgraded.
“Council will have to dip into the general fund, rate payers’ money, to fund some of the road upgrade works,” said council director Matt Rogers at the meeting. “It’s certainly part of the council’s forward works program.”
Panel member Pam Westing urged the progress associations to “keep agitating with councillors and council because this [the condition of Ocean Drive] is obviously something the community is concerned about.”
Bonny Hills Progress Association member Phil Hafey asked where the supply of water would come from to cater for the extra demand once the subdivision was occupied by new residents.
Mr Rogers said the council had a long-term plan to increase the water supply in combination with added treatment plants. Plans, he said, were in place to cope with the expected population growth for the next 30 years.
“I have read the report in detail,” said panel member Pam Westing.
“I see nothing that would cause me concern. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council have been involved in strategic planning for this area for a long time. They have demonstrated good strategic planning and I’m more than happy to approve the application put to us.”