Dear Beagle Editor, At a council meeting on the 23rd of May last year, council's head of planning (Lindsay Usher) stated the following…
“In the case of Wharf Road we have gone through a similar process, having done a hazard study and looked through the management options for that site.
"The Wharf Road situation has been identified by that study, the majority of that site as being at immediate risk, and therefore the potential of that site to be developed irrespective of whatever zoning is in place or any other controls is not in a position that council could support it.”
“…its always been the issue of the site's just not suitable for development due to its immediate risk.”
Then council did a submission document to the RMS (dated September 1 of last year) requesting that the Wharf road land be purchased, and that states: "Once the land is in public ownership, Council will have options on how to maintain access to the Wharf Road area.”
Then that…” Works would need to include:
Design and construct 450 to 500m section of rock wall to design life that meets sea level rise projections beyond 2100
Back fill corresponding section of rock wall
Design and construct section of Wharf Road to new landform alignment
Remove, relocate and replace associated services behind new works.”
and then?...
"Consolidate future development behind areas that are protected by existing rock walls.”
So the private blocks in this previously valuable waterfront subdivision, which council and Public works apparently destroyed by building rock walls and dredging (without the required hydrological studies/ due diligence) and which council blocked the owners from defending, restoring or developing for several decades, and repeatedly stated could not be restored and developed, and then downzoned to make almost worthless, will be fine to restore and develop...“Once the land is in Public ownership"
Above: provided photo, source unknown
Diabolical!
Here is the council video of Mr Ushers statements above. Starting at 33:50
and a page from councils submission to the RMS
Damien Rogers Moruya
