Concerned Keiraville residents are calling on Wollongong City Council to oppose a controversial development and ensure they are fully engaged in the court process.
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Keiraville Residents Action Group says almost 80 people attended a meeting on Saturday to discuss the proposed development at 14 Cosgrove Avenue.
The developer, Surewin Parkview Pty Ltd, has submitted amended plans for a 42-home development at the address after the Southern Regional Planning Panel refused their original application for 47 dwellings.
But residents of the area say the developer has failed to address their concerns, which include traffic, the impact on wildlife and the environment, bushfire safety, and the appearance of the escarpment.
At the weekend's meeting, those in attendance agreed to ask Wollongong City Council staff and councillors to engage with the Keiraville Residents Action Group and others in opposing the development.
They also want the council to make public all relevant information on the proposal - including anything submitted since the development application was on public exhibition - and its own reports, including its assessment for the NSW Land and Environment Court.
The developer has lodged an appeal with the Land and Environment Court following the Southern Regional Planning Panel's decision, and a conciliation conference is scheduled for August.
Keiraville residents want to be a party to this process.
They will write to the council with their requests.
"We're just really wanting council to be open and transparent in what's happening," Yvonne Toepfer, Keiraville Residents Action Group convenor, said.
She said residents were resolute in their opposition to the proposed development, which she described as "a blight on the foothills of Mount Keira".
"There was such a huge turnout, and everyone's together on this," Ms Toepfer said.
The Southern Regional Planning Panel refused the original application on 10 grounds, including "significant adverse impact in the locality", the site being unsuitable for the development, unacceptable effects on biodiversity, and setting an undesirable precedent.
In response, the developer's amended plans feature more freestanding than before "to allow for views through the site to the landscape beyond", separation between pedestrians and vehicles, more communal spaces, and a utility and waste recycling area set below the natural ground level.
The application also outlined communal outdoor spaces for residents, a zone that would remain "largely untouched" and would undergo bush regeneration, a pond and waterfall near the entrance, and a communal vegetable garden.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
