Sutherland Shire Council will make two submissions on the Heathcote Hall development proposal to the Sydney South Planning Panel, which will make the decision on whether it goes ahead.
The first is a resolution passed at the June 19 council meeting, drawing attention to the “the genuine concerns” of the local community and requesting they be given close consideration.
The second will be an assessment of the development application (DA) by council staff, including a recommendation on whether it should be approved.
Under the legislation governing the operation of planning panels operate, the report by the council staff cannot be put to a council meeting and must go directly to the panel.
The bipartisan motion passed at the council meeting was moved by Liberal mayor Carmelo Pesce and seconded by Labor’s Diedree Steinwall.
Cr Pesce moved the resolution in a mayoral minute, which is the only way a mayor can do so.
He said the proposed construction of 57 new apartments and townhouses and reuse of the Hall would be “a significant change for this quiet neighbourhood surrounded by the National Park”.
Cr Pesce said the local community had made known its significant concerns, organised meetings and put in more than 200 submissions.
They had also communicated via social media, and more than 100 residents had attended an information session run by the council.
“Their voice is loud and clear, and the issues they raise must be given careful consideration,” he said.
Cr Pesce said issues raised by residents included the future use of the heritage building and potential traffic generation, incompatibility of medium density housing and bushfire risk and difficulties with evacuation.
Other concerns included traffic and parking, impact on trees, impact on the heritage building and its surrounds, pedestrian safety, inconsistency with the character of the area and impacts on amenity during construction.
Cr Barry Collier (Labor) was critical of the process of using a mayoral minute in a planning matter.
Mr Collier said it was contrary to the first recommendation of the 2013 independent inquiry into the shire’s Local Environment Plan, headed by Dr John Roseth.
That inquiry was set up by the state government after then mayor Kent Johns initiated a planning action without requesting a report from council staff, he said.
Cr Pesce said the two matters were totally different.
He said council staff could provide advice individually to councillors, but, because of the limited time for submissions on the DA, they were not able to produce a report in time for the council meeting.
