The Mayor of Eurobodalla, Liz Innes, announced on ABS South East Radio this morning (October 6th 2021) that the Council owned land at Dalmeny has been sold to a developer.
The land was put on the market following a near unanimous vote by Councillors to support the sale as a means of playing its role in providing more housing land to a buoyant market.
It was noted at the time of the proposal to sell that two adjacent land parcels, also now being developed, would benefit from a concurrent development of all three parcels including Council's land that bordered onto Mort Avenue.
The Hon Rob Stokes, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, responded to the Dalmeny Matters group and other concerned members of the community who contacted his office prior to Council’s decision to sell.
Dalmeny Matters said on August 25th 2021:
"The Minister criticised the Council’s decision in comments to the Sydney Morning Herald on July 25th, that:
‘
At a time when this government is giving out millions for councils to invest in public spaces, it seems tone deaf for a council to be selling pristine coastal bushland that’s already in public ownership’
"Despite this strong initial statement, it is clear that Mr Stokes would prefer the matter be dealt with at a local level if possible. Sarah Lees, Director, Southern Region Local and Regional Planning, who responded on the Minister’s behalf, has told community members and Dalmeny Matters to ‘continue to raise your concerns with Council directly.’ ‘
Although the sale of the land is a matter for Council, the Minister and the Department expect all Councils to carefully consider the sale of public land. This would involve balancing economic, social, and environmental impacts. As this is a matter for Council to manage at the local level, I would encourage you and members of your group to continue to raise your concerns with Council directly.’
"However it is Council’s failure to ‘carefully consider’ the ramifications of this sale, especially in regards to the environment, that concerns Dalmeny Matters.
"No background information was provided to Council prior to the vote regarding environmental impacts, risks associated with bushfire or flooding or evidence of how the proposed development would increase affordable housing or available rental properties.
"Eurobodalla Shire Council has confirmed that the drafting of a development control plan for Dalmeny has begun although it is unclear exactly when the community will be given a chance to contribute or how meaningful consultation will be.
‘Council has commenced discussion on the Master Plan and Development Control Plan (DCP) process with relevant landowners… and this will only go on public exhibition when Council has resolved to do so.’
