A KEY ‘greenfield’ development site at West Woolgoolga is moving a step closer to becoming developed with Coffs Harbour City Council seeking State Government approval to rezone the area.

The subject land has an area of 16.4 hectares and is located on the northern border of the Wiigulga Sports Complex on Solitary Islands Way, which is currently undergoing construction.

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A proponent-initiated application was received by Council to amend Coffs Harbour LEP 2013, to enable low density residential development on part Lot 202 DP 874273, Bark Hut Road, Woolgoolga.

The allotment is made up of two part lots (a northern portion and a southern portion), separated by the Wiigulga Sports Complex site.

The southern portion of the lot, accessed from Newmans Road, Woolgoolga was rezoned in December 2020 to
facilitate residential development on the land.

“Eventual housing resulting from the rezoning is likely to have a positive impact on the Woolgoolga community in terms of the provision of affordable housing, strengthening of existing community, commercial and retail services,” a Council report stated.

“Similarly, the development of the Northern Beaches Multi-Purpose Centre and West Woolgoolga Sports Complex that are located in between the two planning proposal areas will complement the growth of the Woolgoolga North West urban investigation area and provide important community facilities.”

A masterplan has been prepared for the establishment of a 293-lot residential development on Bark Hut Road, Woolgoolga.

The location has been investigated for residential development since the mid-1990’s.

Lots are estimated to be on average 600m2, and to potentially include a range of lot sizes accommodating choice in dwelling types and promoting affordability.

At a Council meeting on 14 October, Cr Sally Townley questioned whether new developments in the area would be built alongside intensive planned agriculture sites existing in the area.

“We’re going to be having residential land opening up in there which is great and it’s long been selected for that and it’s in a great location,” Cr Townley stated.

“Immediately to the north there is intensive planned agriculture.”

A Council director stated at the meeting that this will be an issue that will have to be addressed at some point.

Council will now initiate and forward a planning proposal to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment seeking gateway determination to rezone part Lot 202 DP 874273, Bark Hut Road, Woolgoolga and amend Clause 7.19 of Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan 2013 (and the Key Sites Map) to include part of Lot 202 DP 874273 as a ‘key site’.

Council will also publicly exhibit the planning proposal and undertake government agency consultation based on the gateway determination issued by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, and publicly exhibit the draft Coffs Harbour Development Control Plan 2015 – Amendment No. 20 (Bark Hut Road Woolgoolga) concurrently with the associated planning proposal.

A further report will be brought back to Council for consideration following public exhibition of the planning proposal and draft Coffs Harbour Development Control Plan 2015 – Amendment No. 20 (Bark Hut Road Woolgoolga).

Council will also note that future planning controls (including a Contributions Plan) will be put in place for this ‘key site’ release area and other land release sites in the wider West Woolgoolga area, to ensure that the overall area is developed with a strong sense of place and neighbourhood amenity for future residents.

Council is currently preparing local planning controls for the Woolgoolga North West Urban Release Area, which will be reported to Council separately.

By Emma DARBIN