A proposal to rezone the site of the former Darrell Lea chocolate factory at Kogarah for high-rise apartment blocks and commercial purposes will be decided by the state government rather than Rockdale Council.
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment announced it had issued a Gateway determination for plans for the 3.3 hectare, Rocky Point Road site which it said potentially could result in 400 new jobs and 450 new homes.
Under the proposal, there would be a range of heights between 8.5 metres and 33 metres.
The plans will be put on public exhibition and although the council will assess feedback, it will not have the final say on the rezoning.
The council’s findings will go to the department which will make a determination.
Residents have opposed ‘‘towers’’ being built on the site.
The Gateway process was pursued by the property owner, a Lea family company, on the grounds that the council was not able to make a decision within the allocated time frame.
The department said the proposal had ‘‘passed through a state government planning checkpoint’’ and would be exhibited publicly soon.
A spokesman said the Gateway process involved a thorough examination of the merits of a proposal.
“This does not represent final approval of the proposal,’’ he said.
‘‘The Gateway is a test of a proposal’s planning merits and gives clear justification as to why a rezoning application should proceed.
“Community consultation is one of the conditions set out in the Gateway determination.
‘‘The next step is a public exhibition so the community has a chance to share its views.’’
The spokesman said the department’s decision was in line with the independent Sydney East Joint Regional Planning Panel’s pre-Gateway review, which recommended the planning proposal be exhibited to the public with detailed information regarding the rezoning, building heights, floor space ratios and the provision of nearby public space.
‘‘Rockdale Council has agreed to be the relevant planning authority in this matter and will organise the exhibition for this proposal,’’ the spokesman said.
‘‘After the council has exhibited the proposal and prepares a report in response, the department will consider public and agency consultations to make a final decision.’’
More in the Leader on Thursday.
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