A TAMWORTH regional councillor has urged his colleagues to think carefully before deferring development decisions, on the basis they can give objectors “false hope”.
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The comments were made by Cr James Treloar at Tuesday night’s meeting of council after councillors approved the relocation of St Nicholas Primary’s covered outdoor learning area (COLA) within the school grounds.
Two neighbouring residents objected to the move on the basis it brings the COLA too close to their boundaries, raising concerns about noise, the visual impact and overshadowing. They also argued it wasn’t in keeping with the amenity of East Tamworth.
The school made some concessions, but said the structure couldn’t be located anywhere else, while residents wanted a little more distance between it and their boundaries.
At the October 27 meeting of the council, after three residents from two properties addressed councillors during the community consultation period, the council resolved to defer the determination of the development application to enable further consultation.
At this week’s meeting, councillors again heard from both sides during the community consultation period, before later approving the DA.
Cr James Treloar said after the decision that council had had no more information than a month ago and questioned the delay in dealing with the application.
“Deferring an item gives people false expectations. This is virtually the same report that came to us a month ago,” he said.
