Central Coast Council planning staff have justified rezoning of a vacant block in Macleay Ave, Woy Woy, on the basis that a "public recreation zone is inappropriate for land that is privately-owned".

They have also stated the land was "not required by Council for future open space purposes".

However, the staff report reveals that, until two years ago, the land was not privately-owned, but owned by the NSW Government's Land and Housing Corporation.

The report does not disclose when or why the land was originally zoned as recreation, nor how it came to be sold into private ownership.

"It is proposed to rezone the generally cleared western part of the site to R1 General Residential, consistent to that of adjoining land," a planning proposal assessment prepared by council planners states.

"The eastern part of the site accommodating the vegetated watercourse will remain zoned RE1 Public Recreation.

"The subject site is an L-shaped lot with frontages to Macleay Ave and Nambucca Dr, Woy Woy. It has an area of 5273 square metres and is currently vacant.

"The eastern part of the subject site is vegetated and accommodates a watercourse which drains northwards to Correa Bay.

"This watercourse is an extension to Council's drainage reserve system to the south.

"The site contains Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland, which is defined as an Endangered Ecological Community under the Biodiversily Conservation Act.

"The western part of the site is generally flat with scattered vegetation and adjoins existing lots developed for medium density housing.

"Council's ecologist supports the planning proposal given that significant impacts on Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland can likely be avoided by the proposal.

"This can be achieved during detailed design of the proposal for development assessment. "Impacts may also be able to be further reduced by ensuring required asset protection zones do not extend onto the portion of land (drainage reserve) proposed for dedication to Council. "Any future planning agreement must ensure the drainage reserve is dedicated to Council with an appropriate fully-funded vegetation management plan, approved by Council's ecologist."

The proposal assessment stated that a traffic analysis had shown there would be "no impact on the performance of the local road network and that adequate on-site parking has been provided as shown in the concept plan".

It also stated: "There is sufficient open space within a 400 metre walk of the subject land to accommodate future population needs.

"There are local-scale recreation parcels to the east, north and south within 400m walk of the subject land and there are district and regional recreation parcels on the Woy Woy Peninsula within a 10 minute drive by car."

The assessment stated that the proposal would provide "infill residential development within an established residential area comprising both low and medium density housing", would "meet the needs of people on very low to moderate incomes", and would be managed by a community housing provider.

The site "is well located in relation to services, facilities and social support in Woy Woy town centre and public transport, providing access to a wide range of areas, employment opportunities, facilities and services".The assessment said the development was aligned with the objectives in Councit's Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy.

"The two pathways to the north and south of the lot do not currently serve a public purpose that benefits Council or the community.

"The inclusion of this additional land into the subject lot will increase safety of future residents by preventing public access along both sides of the future development."

SOURCE:

Central Coast Council agenda 2.3, 13 Jul 2021

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