Planning for Growth in Nowra-Bomaderry

13 November 2018

MEDIA RELEASE

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley and Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP today announced funding for the Moss Vale Road Urban Release Area to kick-start essential infrastructure for one of the Shoalhaven’s newest communities.

Shoalhaven City Council has committed to funding the upfront costs for the acquisition of land for the purpose of Public Open Space in the URA by using loan funds of $6.37 million with a 50% discounted interest rate through the Low Cost Loan Initiative (LCLI).

Mayor Amanda Findley said the NSW Government funding would be used to provide vital infrastructure for a great new community that would boost housing affordability in the Shoalhaven.

“The Moss Vale Road URAs are vital for planning for the growth of our region and play an important role in easing the increasing demand in the housing marketing, changing household trends and a growing ageing population,” Clr Findley said.

“This area was recognised in Council’s Nowra-Bomaderry Structure Plan 2006 which identified 9 new living areas, that will be released in six stages over a 25-year period.

“With NSW Funding like this Council can provide 9.4 hectares of open space allowing the community to have parklands and green spaces established at the same time or before development starts. The Indicative Layout Plan includes tree-lined boulevards and active transport to encourage healthy living.”

“The early delivery of infrastructure has the potential to accelerate the release of land by reducing costs to developers and potentially future buyers and allows the establishment of quality open space areas in conjunction with the release of land, not after release, which is generally the case. This allows Council to set the outcome for development early.”

“I commend Gareth Ward, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, NSW Treasury Corporate and the Office of Local Government for initiatives like the Low-Cost Loans Initiative,” the Mayor concluded.

Parliamentary Secretary for the South Coast and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP said: “I am very pleased to have secured this result for the Moss Vale Road Urban Release Area under the NSW Government’s Low Cost Loan Initiative – this $576,659 funding will provide a real boost for this vital planning for future growth,” he said.

“I would like to thank Mayor Amanda Findley for working with me to secure this positive outcome for our community.

“I have previously made direct representations to Shoalhaven City Council requesting early acquisition of land on the basis that the private land is substantially affected by future acquisition for open space,” Mr Ward said.

Key Facts about Moss Vale Road Urban Release Area:

Estimated up to 840 lots of various sizes.

• Early delivery of infrastructure has the potential to accelerate the release of land by reducing costs to developers and potentially future buyers and allows the establishment of quality open space areas in conjunction with the release of land, not after which is generally often the case. Allows Council to set the outcome for development early.
• The area is identified in Council’s Development Control Plan (DCP) and Contributions Plan (CP) for the URA. The cost of the infrastructure will be recouped through development contributions levied on development in the URA.
• Council listened to concerns raised by the community and received from the Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward requesting early acquisition of land on the basis that the private land is substantially affected by future acquisition for open space.

The Moss Vale Road South Urban Release Area Development Control Plan (DCP) and Contributions Plan (CP) commenced on Wednesday 26 September 2018.

The new DCP Chapter is available on Council’s DCP website at http://dcp2014.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/content/moss-vale-road-south-urban-release-area

The CP amendment is available at http://s94.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

A copy of the Council resolution is available via Council's website.

A copy of the report considered by the Committee is also available on Council's website.

The public exhibition period for the draft planning package for Moss Vale Road South URA closes at 5pm on Friday 2 March 2018.

All submissions must be received in writing and should be addressed to the General Manager, Shoalhaven City Council, PO Box 42, Nowra NSW 2541 or emailed to council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

To view the package of draft plans, visit Council’s City Administration Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra or https://shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/My-Council/Public-exhibition/Documents-on-exhibition

Time is running out to have your say on the draft plans for Moss Vale Road South Urban Release Area.

The closing date for submissions is 5pm Friday 2 March 2018.

All submissions must be received in writing and should be addressed to the General Manager, Shoalhaven City Council, PO Box 42, Nowra NSW 2541 or emailed to council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

For more information and to view the package of draft plans, visit Council’s City Administration Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra or https://shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/My-Council/Public-exhibition/Documents-on-exhibition

On Monday 22 January, Council's Development Committee considered a report on a proposed Planning Proposal (PP) to amend Clause 6.5 of Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014.

The minutes are available at https://shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/My-Council/Council-meetings/Agendas-and-minutes with the resolution provided below:

1. Support the preparation and submission of a Planning Proposal for Gateway determination to amend Clause 6.5 of Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014 to include reference to land associated with Urban Release Areas to rectify the identified anomaly.

2. If Gateway determination is received, proceed to public exhibition to at least the requirement specified in the Gateway determination.

This means that Council will now make an application to the NSW Department of Planning & Environment (DPE) to amend Clause 6.5 to address the anomaly identified.

Amending the Clause will effect land within mapped Urban Release Areas that have split zones (i.e. part residential and part rural/environmental). The Clause intends to allow subdivision to create a "residual" lot made up of the non-urban zone, and the potential to obtain development approval to erect a dwelling on the residual lot.

The clause, at this time, only relates to land that is mapped "Urban Release Area". In the case of the Nowra-Bomaderry Urban Release Areas, the non-urban zones are not mapped, which means the clause cannot apply.

The purpose of this PP is to rectify this anomaly so that the clause operates as it was intended.

Council's Development Committee will be considering a report on Monday 22 January 2018 to prepare a Planning Proposal (PP) to amend Clause 6.5 of Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014.

Clause 6.5 deals with the erection of a dwelling on residue lots associated with identified Urban Release Areas. The proposed PP seeks to amend the clause to rectify an anomaly that has been identified. The amendment to the clause will enable it to be used as originally intended.

The Development Committee Meeting will commence at 5pm in the Council Chambers at the Nowra Administration Building. A copy of the report will be available on Council’s website on Friday 19^th January 2018 at: https://shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/My-Council/Council-meetings/Agendas-and-minutes

Enquiries on making representations to the Committee can be:

- Submitted online at http://shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/My-Council/Council-meetings/Deputations-Council-Meetings ; or

- Directed to Council's Governance Section on (02) 4429 3361.

The package of draft plans for Moss Vale Road South Urban Release Area (URA) will be on public exhibition from Wednesday 20 December 2017 until Friday 2 March 2018 (inclusive).

The package of draft plans includes:

• A Planning Proposal which seeks to amend the Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014 to introduce a provision (exception to the minimum lot size) to enable lots as small as 300m² in certain areas/circumstances.
• Draft Development Control Plan (DCP) Amendment No. 19 which introduces a proposed new Chapter into Shoalhaven DCP 2014 - NB3 Moss Vale Road South URA. The Draft DCP Chapter applies specifically to the URA and contains development controls relating to subdivision design, street network and hierarchy, staging, protection of the environment, residential development and more.
• Draft Amendment No. 9 to the Shoalhaven Contributions Plan 2010 which introduces three new road, open space and drainage projects specifically for Moss Vale Road South URA.

• Supporting documents will also include the Integrated Water Cycle Assessment and Moss Vale Road South Tree Species List.

The package is available at Council’s City Administration Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra and online at https://shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/My-Council/Public-exhibition/Documents-on-exhibition

Invitation for Submissions:

Written submissions quoting Council’s reference 55637E are invited and should be addressed to the General Manager, Shoalhaven City Council, PO Box 42, Nowra NSW 2541 or emailed to council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

All submissions must be received in writing by 5pm Friday 2 March 2018.

Submissions may become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. All persons who lodge a submission are required to declare any relevant political donations and/or gifts in accordance with Section 147(5) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Council’s Development Committee on Monday 11 December 2017 resolved to publically exhibit the draft Planning Proposal, Development Control Plan and Contributions Plan for the Moss Vale Road South Urban Release Area.

The minutes are available at https://shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/My-Council/Council-meetings/Agendas-and-minutes with the resolution copied below:

“That Council:

1. Proceed to publicly exhibit in accordance with relevant legislation the Planning Proposal, Draft Development Control Plan Chapter and Contributions Plan as a package for the Moss Vale Road South Urban Release Area for a minimum of 54 days.
2. Advise landowners, relevant Community Consultative Bodies and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage of the public exhibition.
3. Receive a further report after the public exhibition period.”

A further update on the public exhibition period will be provided shortly.