Residents in Myuna Place, a little cul-de-sac in Lilli Pilli, are both angry and perplexed.
They are angry because, without their knowledge, Sutherland Shire Council has been negotiating to sell a narrow strip of public land on the edge of Myuna Place to a property owner in adjoining Little Turriel Bay Road for an extra, rear driveway entry.
They are perplexed as to why the council would undertake the exercise when it was opposed by council staff and has no community benefit.
The residents had been assured by council staff earlier in the year, when a dual occupancy development was approved on the property, that a rear entry would not be permitted.
They learnt of the plan only when the council advertised the proposal to reclassify the land from community use to operational.
Delving into council documents, the residents found the application had previously been rejected by the council’s Land Management Committee because the sale of dedicated public reserve offered no community benefit.
They also discovered the council’s Civil Assets Unit did not support the proposal because Myuna Place was so narrow and steep.
Despite this advice, the council unanimously voted to negotiate a price for the land with the applicant.
With the deal yet to be finalised, the residents are seeking support from candidates for the council election.
Liberal candidate Carol Provan was the first to provide an undertaking.
The council dismissed residents’ fears a medium density development could be planned for the site.
”The parcel of land backing onto Myuna Place is zoned E3, Environmental Housing,” a council spokeswoman said.
“Developments such as villas and / or townhouses are prohibited within this zone.”
The council also rejected criticism of the fact it did not consult Myuna Place residents about the plan in advance.
“In dealing with applications to reclassify land, council must conduct preliminary negotiations with the applicant to determine if the proposal is feasible enough to proceed with and undergo wider consultation,” the spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman said [following the public advertisement] residents had the opportunity to make a submission.
“If submissions are received, an independently chaired public hearing will be held where all parties can have their say,” she said.
“Following the consultation process and any subsequent hearing, the matter will be determined by the NSW Department of Planning.”
The council also denied inconsistency over councillors voting on this proposal, while council staff determine development applications.
“Changing the classification of a piece of land within the shire relates to policy and planning direction, which is a matter for elected councillors,” the spokeswoman said.
Myuna Place resident Greg Carson said, “We can’t understand why community land is to be sold for the sake of one resident in a neighbouring street?”
“Council will be making a profit from community owned property”, he said.
Mr Carson said council records showed the narrow strip of land was classified community land specifically to prevent dual driveway access due to the narrow width and steep gradient of Myuna Place.
Louise Sutherland, a mother of two, said the cul-de-sac, which contains just six houses, was the “local playground”.
“Children come here to ride their bikes and play because it is so safe,” she said.
“Increased traffic will jeopardise the safety of young children and pedestrians.”
