MANY of the 100 residents who attended a public meeting to have the draft South Tamworth rural lands master plan explained to them say they left with more questions than answers.
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Those who spoke to The Leader following Thursday night’s meeting at TRECC said they were left feeling more confused than before they arrived.
“It didn’t really tell us very much,” one resident said.
“It seems like there is still so much that they don’t know and won’t find out until a development application is on their doorstep.”
Some of the biggest concerns raised by residents were to do with sewerage, roads infrastructure and how traffic changes would be handled.
Eric Lewis said he was pleased the draft plan considered improving the water supply to the area but couldn’t fathom why sewerage had not been considered.
Council’s strategic planning manager, Genevieve Harrison, said sewerage upgrades were not considered because there wouldn’t be enough development in the next 15 years to justify the cost of providing it.
One resident from Bylong Rd was angry no provisions had been made for a roundabout at the intersection of his street and Werris Creek Rd.
“We get a lot of people from Kingswood using our street for access and that hasn’t been taken into account,” he said.
When it came to discussion about equine development, several residents said there was no demand now and wouldn’t be in the future.
Mark Chaffey questioned how much interest council had received from equine industry stakeholders.
Ms Harrison said there had been no interest to date and, if that continued, the plan would be reviewed.
Whitehouse Ln resident Peter Roffe said one of the most urgent issues, should development go ahead, was a roundabout at the intersection of Burgmanns Ln and the New England Highway.
“That needs to be a priority in the first five years,” he said.
“There are a number of dangers on that road, because of the number of B-doubles using it, and an upgrade, if a roundabout was to be installed, is paramount.”
Other residents agreed.
Several questions were raised in relation to Spains Ln, however council’s development and applications manager, David Lewis, said those upgrades wouldn’t be considered until more detail was available.
Ms Harrison and Mr Lewis were keen to remind residents the plan was in its draft stages.
“We don’t have all the answers and we are hopeful that the submission we receive can be used to help guide us, if there are things we have missed,” Mr Lewis said.
Many residents said they would make submissions and Ms Harrison said a “considerable number” had already been received.
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday.
It’s understood a report will be presented to the council’s March 27 meeting.
