THE developer behind a divisive South Tamworth unit proposal defended the project in front of council and concerned residents.
Paul Carrigan spoke at Tamworth Regional Council’s Tuesday night meeting and said all of the issues raised regarding the “medium density” housing scheme had been dealt with.
Traffic impact has been the major sticking point for the 21-unit complex on Ainslie Place with fears the Craigends Lane and Goonoo Goonoo Road intersection wouldn’t handle the increased usage.
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“We’ve paid for professionals to do traffic studies, there has been six traffic studies done in which the [RMS] has been involved and reviewed all of these figures,” Mr Carrigan said.
“Stormwater, yet again we’ve paid for professionals to design stormwater detention for medium density for these 21 units.
“All of these issues have been dealt with and adhered to as per the council requirements.”
Council eventually supported an amended motion to defer a decision on the development to give itself more time to mull over components creating uneasiness.
When the DA was first considered, a nearby resident, Ian Burkenshaw said it could lead to the area “becoming another Coledale”.
Mr Carrigan defended his project and said it had worked well where “we’ve built it before”.
“Regarding the nature of development, it is not an investor driven product,” he said.
“It’s designed for owner-occupiers, single parents, couples and over-50s and the like.”
Russell Webb moved the amendment which called for more time to get fully confident in a decision.
“I think we need to think about this a bit harder, yes, it is subdivision for development that should be approved because it complies with all of the governances that are in place,” he said.
“I have to say, what’s in front of us tonight, that we should defer this matter for some more work to be done on it so we can be confident, when we do make our final decision, we are making the right decision.”
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.
