THE long-awaited re-establishment of a PCYC in Port Macquarie has been met with some concern from residents regarding the site chosen for the facility.
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The plans for the state-of-the-art sport facility are part of a multi-million dollar upgrade for Hastings Secondary College, with the proposed PCYC facility to be built on the north-west corner of the Port Macquarie Campus on Owen Street.
Owners of 16 residential apartments located at 11 Owen Street have submitted a document detailing their concerns about the PCYC facility being built opposite the apartment block.
In a letter sent to the Port Macquarie News, Ed McHue voiced concerns of the group of residents objecting to the project.
"The residential owners group have lodged a five-page submission objecting to the proposal, which also includes consideration of alternative, more appropriate site options that provide significantly better outcomes for the greater Port Macquarie-Hastings community," he said.
"As detailed in the submission, we are concerned that the development at this site creates a range of significant issues."
Potential issues residents are concerned about are social concerns relating to a PCYC facility being located next to a licensed premises, unnecessarily detrimental environmental and visual amenity impacts to the scenic tourist precinct, safety issues due to significantly increased traffic congestion and the missed opportunity for the facility to be located at a more beneficial location.
"Our objection relates only to the proposed site of the PCYC facility at Hastings Secondary College Port Macquarie campus. We support all the other elements of the upgrade proposal and welcome the improvements suggested to the school," Mr McHue said.
"We also welcome the reintroduction of a PCYC facility in the Port Macquarie area, in a suitable location, that does not create detrimental environmental and social amenity impacts."
The submitted document also contains alternative sites for the facility as suggested by residents, including a different location on the school campus.
In an Architectural Design Statement commissioned by School Infrastructure NSW on behalf of the Department of Education, it states that alternative locations were explored during the preliminary master planning phase, however the current site was chosen due to a number of reasons including:
- The entry to the facility is at the end of the Oxley Highway, a significant roadway for Port Macquarie
- Situating the building on Owen Street provides a strong street presence and increases opportunity for public interaction
- The existing Multi Purpose Courts to the south of the site provides beneficial functional adjacency with its performance spaces and change facilities of the PCYC
- Having the facility in the corner of the site allows the public to be separated from students and provides an independent access point to the facility for the public
- The school playing field immediately east of the facility provides an opportunity for larger sporting activities
The PCYC facility plans include multi-purpose rooms, a gym, two indoor sports courts and associated facilities including lower level parking with access from Owen Street.
PCYC NSW chief executive officer Dominic Teakle said having the PCYC located on a school campus will allow more members of the community to use the facilities.
"It will allow a school facility to be opened up and used by the community after school hours. The same model has been used for other PCYC facilities and it has worked well," he said.
"There are currently PCYC clubs in high density areas in other towns and there has been very little feedback to suggest they have had significant negative impacts on the surrounding area."
Mr Teakle said the re-establishment of a PCYC club in Port Macquarie will be beneficial for the community.
"Not only will the Port Macquarie PCYC serve a purpose for the school, but the community as well," he said.
"Port Macquarie used to be more of a retirement town, but now there are more families in the area and more of a need for a PCYC.
"It will be an asset for the community and will not interrupt the lifestyle of residents."
A spokesperson from the Department of Education said the site will be accessible for everyone in the community.
"The location is ideal for transport, with easy access for both the school and wider community," the spokesperson said.
"The new facility will also expand on the current outdoor sports infrastructure and create additional space for large sporting events to be held."
The state government's initial $2.5 million funding announcement to reinstate a PCYC in Port Macquarie dates back to 2012 but the then plan to include a PCYC in Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's expanded Port Macquarie Indoor Stadium reached an impasse in 2015.
The state government recommitted the $2.5 million in October 2017 to a PCYC on the grounds of Hastings Secondary College Port Macquarie Campus.
The state government then announced $7.5 million to establish a PCYC at the Owen Street site in 2019, together with financial contributions from the NSW Department of Education and PCYC NSW.
The application for State Significant Development, Environmental Impact Statement and accompanying documents are currently on exhibition. The exhibition period has also been extended until July 27.
The documents and plans are available online at: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/40801
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