WOLLONGONG ADVERTISER
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The long-simmering debate about the future of environmentally sensitive land in Helensburgh came to a head last week when Wollongong City Council revealed its plans.
But the council’s decision to rezone a large section of the 1556hectares of environmentally sensitive land surrounding Helensburgh, Otford and Stanwell Park has done little to bridge the long-standing divide in the community.
The council’s decision at an extraordinary meeting on July 29 drew angry outbursts from a section of the public gallery and applause from environmental groups.
Those disappointed most by the decision included a number of Helensburgh landowners who had their development dreams quashed when councillors voted 9-4 not to allow development in the Land Pooling precinct.
Instead, the council voted to rezone all but five lots to environmentally protected land.
The 207 lots in the Land Pooling precinct are owned by 94 people or companies.
Most landowners have owned their blocks for decades, after buying them in the 1970s and ’80s under the assumption they would one day be able to build.
They were actively encouraged by the council at the time to pool the land and develop an alternative subdivision layout before building a house on one of the new blocks.
However, planning laws have not allowed houses on the land since 1951 and owners were never given a guarantee they would be able to build.
Mortdale resident Bruce Bennett told the Advertiser that landowners like himself were offended by those who claimed they were simply speculators.
‘‘I can’t see anything wrong with family members wanting to live near each other ... especially when we were led to believe that we would be able to build on the land,’’ he said.
‘‘Our hope was just to get the land developed so that my dad and his four sons could have space to build some houses.’’
Mr Bennett said the only hope was that the state government reversed the council’s decision to rezone the ‘‘former 7D’’ lands to E2.
Otford Preservation Society president Natasha Watson said residents, environmentalists and parkland fans were relieved that Wollongong council acknowledged how important it was to retain the land in light of the proposed world heritage listing for the Royal National Park and protect the area from overdevelopment.
‘‘Councillors definitely made the right decision,’’ Ms Watson said.
‘‘Now we have to trust the NSW Department of Planning will acknowledge the decisions made by the councillors on July 29 to retain the protection awarded 40 years ago and reinforced by the Commission of Inquiry in 1994.’’