A CONTROVERSIAL block of units proposed for South Tamworth could get the green despite Tamworth Regional Council previously rejecting the development.
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Less than a month ago, councillors nixed a development application which proposed a 21-unit complex to be built on Ainslie Place, just off Craigends Lane.
The council cited the troublesome intersection of Craigends Lane and Goonoo Goonoo Road and stormwater issues to justify giving the development the thumbs down.
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Council staff are now recommending it goes ahead, after a review of the decision was requested, and the traffic impact was deemed to be minimal.
“It is acknowledged that traffic has been a fundamental consideration for the development, but the outcome of two traffic studies is there will be no significant changes to the delays or queuing at the intersection of Craigends Lane and Goonoo Goonoo Road as a consequence of the development,” a report to council said.
“As such, in this instance the site is considered to be suitable for the development.”
While a roundabout would “significantly improve” the intersection, the council report said it would be “unreasonable to impose such a requirement on the developer”.
It estimated a roundabout would cost $3.5 million.
The report also found there was adequate council’s infrastructure to service the development and proposed onsite detention is proposed to manage stormwater as an acceptable solution.
Councillors rejected the proposal five-votes-to-two in April and Mark Rodda didn’t know how it would play out this time.
“They haven’t really addressed the main concern of the intersection,” Cr Rodda said.
He said it would be “a bit bemusing and confusing” if council went back on its earlier decision which was “made fairly resolutely”.
Mayor and deputy Col Murray and Helen Tickle were the only councillors who supported the original application.
“It complies with development standards meets the requirements of Development Control Plan (DCP) and Local Environment Plan (LEP),” Cr Murray said at the time.
“I don’t think I have right to not allow the development.”
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
