Sutherland Shire Council has been asked to extend the public consultation period for contentious Heathcote Hall estate development plans.
The development application (DA) seeks the construction of 57 homes in apartment blocks and townhouses and restoration of the historic mansion.
An information meeting held by the council on May 24, which residents said was attended by about 100 people, asked for the deadline extension on submissions.
Save Heathcote East (SHE) co-convenor Michael Mullins said the information night highlighted “major deficiencies” in the DA.
Coupled with the fact vital plans such as the conservation management plan were missing from the council website, the council had no choice but to extend the DA submission deadline by at least one month, he said.
The meeting had called on the council to ensure all the relevant documents had been submitted and were available on the website.
Mr Mullins said questions were asked at the meeting if trees along Dillwynnia, Boronia and Tecoma Streets were to be removed for road widening.
If this was the case,.it would severely affect the amenity to the area and be just cause to shut down the DA.
Mr Mullins said another question was whether Planning Minister Anthony Roberts had the power to request the Sydney South Planning Panel to delegate the determination of the DA back to the council.
Residents Against Over Development (RAOD) member Patrick Kennedy said this option appeared to be possible from the council document, titled Sydney South Planning Panel, which stated, “If the Minister for Planning agrees, the panel may delegate the determination of applications to councils.”
Heathcote MP Lee Evans could be approached to make this request of Mr Roberts, Mr Kennedy aid.
Mr Kennedy said the priority was for people to lodge their opposition to the DA by the deadline which was June 8 unless council granted an extension.