Blackwell Brothers’ proposal to develop a major waste recovery “park” at Helensburgh is over after Wollongong City Council rejected the application.
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As long-time owners of the site at 159 Walker St, Helensburgh, the Blackwells had sought permission to clear land for fences and firebreaks, erect bins and signage and provide space for a public waste drop-off area.
Last week council rejected the application, which sought to modify development conditions and create a “bin stand’ delivery area where customers would drive in and drop off waste.
Since lodging the application, Blackwells have sold their business, and the land, to Sydney bin empire Bingo, but remain involved in the operation.
On Friday Bingo said the rejection would not affect the company’s plans for the Helensburgh site.
“Bingo continues to progress its own development plans for the site and we remain confident with our entry into the Illawarra and are working on ways to enhance the waste management options for local residents going forward,” a Bingo spokesman told the Mercury.
Six submissions were received by council about the application, raising concerns about the impact of runoff on the Hacking River catchment, the number of truck movements to and from the site, and concerns about the types of waste accepted at the site.
Council’s planners decided there was not enough information provided in the application to enable a “full and proper assessment” of the modifications sought.
“It is considered the proposal is not appropriate with consideration to the zoning and the character of the area and is therefore not be in the public interest [sic],” the council’s assessment report says.
One of the reasons council gave for rejecting the DA was that the landowner had not given evidence of consent for the works.
It has not become clear how Bingo intends to proceed with development plans for the Walker St site.
The 6ha site is a combination of IN2 Light Industrial, and E2 Environmental Consevration zonings. Council records show it is contaminated land, with biodiversity sensitivity and flooding potential.