Stockland's $22 million residential subdivision at Sandon Point has been approved by the State Government, paving the way for more than 180 houses and 80 apartments to be constructed on the controversial site.
The NSW Department of Planning's deputy director-general Richard Pearson will today officially announce the approval of the 181-lot residential subdivision and one super-lot where up to 80 units could be constructed.
Planning documents indicate that the approval was granted by former planning minister Kristina Keneally on November 29 - only two days after new legislation was passed to rezone 20.5ha of the site for residential development.
Last act: Keneally approves Sandon Point rezoning Four days later, Ms Keneally became the state's first female premier after Nathan Rees was rolled in a leadership challenge.
The Mercury revealed last week that the Sandon Point site had been quietly rezoned under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Development) Amendment (Sandon Point) 2009. The legislation overrides council planning controls and other State Government planning policies.
More than one-third of the site was set aside for environmental conservation, while 19.3ha was earmarked for low-density residential and 1.2ha for medium-density residential.
The approval of the subdivision comes after the project - which is being assessed as a major project under Part 3A of the state's Environmental Planning and Assessment Act - was independently reviewed by the Planning Assessment Commission in October.
"Planning for this important Illawarra site is now moving forward, following some seven years of studies, debate and legal action," Mr Pearson said.
A Stockland spokeswoman welcomed the decision.
"We are pleased with the outcome and will look forward to working with the community on the project," she said.
Stockland's project application estimates 52 construction jobs will be generated by the subdivision.
The approved plan includes 167 single-dwelling lots, 14 lots for townhouse developments, one super-lot, roads, bridges, pathways and landscaping. A display village with up to three display homes and a sales office is also proposed.
"This approved subdivision supports detached single dwellings across the majority of the new lots, with some smaller townhouse allotments, to ensure housing diversity and choice," Mr Pearson said.
"These housing lots will play an important role contributing to the anticipated 38,000 dwellings needed in the Illawarra between 2006 and 2031."
Mr Pearson assured residents that flooding and the impact of climate change had also been thoroughly assessed by the department, independent experts and the Planning Assessment Commission.
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