Click here for  Rose Group's project web site: www.chbconceptplan.com.au

IHAP finished their report to the Minister of Planning, Mr Frank Sartor before Christmas. Their report has not been made public and sits on the desk of the Department of Planning or the Minister of Planning. However the decision from the Minister is IMMINENT.

On Tuesday 30th October the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel came to Catherine Hill Bay . The Community Reference group presented their objections to the latest Rose Group Concept Plan. These submissions were in addition to the 3000 objections that have already gone to the Planning Department.

This latest proposal continues to have significant adverse impacts on the heritage and environmental significance of Catherine Hill Bay . Attached are some of the presentations made by the Progress Association

Planning (16MB)
Heritage (16MB)
Environment
Public Access
Traffic
General
Visual Impacts

The development committee has now reviewed the multiple documents which comprise the current Rose Group submission and presents the points attached as key deficiencies in Rose's Moonee Hamlets concept plan.

WE ONLY HAVE UNTIL 12TH OCTOBER TO LET THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT KNOW THAT WE OBJECT TO THIS NEW CONCEPT PLAN. DEAR FRIENDS PLEASE USE THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT TO FORM YOUR OBJECTION LETTERS

LAST CHANCE TO SAVE CATHERINE HILL BAY AND MOONEE BEACH  

THERE ARE SERIOUS CONCERNS WITH ROSE'S NEW PROPOSAL

The new proposal still builds on the Catherine Hill Bay headland. This is against the government's own coastal policy. The development proposed will be highly prominent on the headland.

The Rose group development can only be considered together with the Coal&Allied's proposed development. The town will be increased tenfold in size and so will the number of cars. Traffic access and impacts have to be dealt with as a whole because currently each developer is proposing contradictory access strategies from the Pacific Highway .

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Planning Minister Frank Sartor and RoseCorp states very clearly that the maximum quantum of development is 600 dwellings. One of the key principles of the Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel states that commercial development should be “only for daily convenience needs(general store or the like)” this doesn't mean 6oo houses + 9 shops + shoptop housing + tourism accommodation + apartments in the Bin Building on the headland!

Your letter counts. Last time we had more than 2000 submissions against RoseCorp's proposal and the Independent Hearing and Assessment panel took notice. We have to keep up the fight at this last critical stage. Submissions have to be in by 12 th October. If you want to see the new concept plan go to www.chbgconceptplan.com.au/chbgconceptplan/#1

Sign and send off the following letter or write your own, being careful to include the project name and location, stating that you object and giving reasons for your objections.

Also attached is an additional typical letter, one of many objection letters sent to the Planning Department, objecting to the new Rose Group concept plan. Please feel free to use any part of this letter in your own objection letter.

Send your objections to:
Director, Strategic Assessments
Department of Planning
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001

For more information please contact Sue Whyte 49762310 suewhyte1980@bigpond.com.au

RoseCorp's new proposals for development at Catherine Hill Bay and Gwandalan are expected to go on public display in mid-July, followed by a 30-day minimum period for public submissions.

The Independent Assessment Panel, which ruled that RoseCorp's initial proposal was “unacceptable”, organised a preview briefing of the new proposal for the Community Reference Group on 30 May. Public hearings of objections are planned for 27-28 August (dates may change).

Snapshot of the new proposal:
•  reduces development footprint by 9ha
•  still aims at maximum 600 dwellings in a series of “hamlets”, separated by green corridors, at Moonee Colliery, Snake and Possum Gullies and the Coal Prep. Plant.
•  Traffic: new intersection for Montefiore St and Pacific Highway and traffic management measures to encourage use of this route rather than Flowers Drive . Hale St to carry local northbound traffic and attention to be given to impact on houses in Lindsley St and Middle Camp.
•  20m wide green buffer on either side of Montefiore St
•  Extensive use of vegetation for screening and re-establishment of native species
•  New headland park
•  Heritage precinct for Wallarah House and Jetty Master's Cottage; no hotel beds.
•  No ridge development; new “village centre” (shops) on Prep Plant site; possible re-use of Bin Building under investigation (otherwise as a viewing platform)
•  Height of buildings varies in the hamlets generally 1 to 1.5 stories but higher in places; Panel to determine exactly what this means.

This “snapshot” is neither complete nor comprehensive because RoseCorp has much more work to do. The Community Reference Group raised some issues of concern and undertakings were given that these would receive attention. New studies to determine how much development the site can reasonably take will be available when the new Concept Plan goes on display.

The Progress Association continues to have concerns about the proposal and these will be open for discussion at the next Association meeting. This meeting will also review the outcomes of the Community Workshop on the Coal and Allied proposal held on 20 May. Date to be advised.

The Independent Assessment Panel has damned the RoseCorp proposal and vindicated the community's case against the development. The RoseCorp development, in its various forms, has been a dud since was mooted in 2002. (Click here to read the Independent Assessment Panel's report. Click here to read the Minister's Office Media Release)

There is widespread and increasing community opposition to it,  Wyong and Lake Macquarie Councils spurned it, and it failed to stand up in the Land and Environment Court on appeal.

Now it has failed to clear even the first hurdle of a State Government assessment process designed to facilitiate such developments.

It is a shocker of a development and  the Independent Panel deserves every credit for baulking at giving it credence.

The Panel says that there is scope for development on the RoseCorp site, and the Progress Association has always accepted this. But the Catherine Hill Bay community wants quality development in scale and sympathy with the village and landscape, not a dud.

RoseCorp has been invited to prepare an amended proposal, consistent with statutory planning requirements.

The Progress Association remains sceptical of the developer's intentions and believes that an amended proposal should be re-exhibited for public scrutiny and comment to ensure transparency, before any decision is made by the Minister.

Brian Cogan - hon Secretray Catherine Hill Bay Progress Association

RoseCorp withdrew its application just prior to the meeting.

Click here to download the Progress Association's presentation to the Independent Assessment Panel advising Minister Sartor (27nd February 2007)
Click here to download Heritage Issues - Jennifer Hill (3MB)
Click here to download Planning Issues - Dr. Deborah Dearing (15MB)

The formal objection by the Progress Association is available to download below:

Objection letter
Attachment 1: Community Profile
Attachment 2: “Core Position” of the Assoc
Attachment 3: Chronology of planning protection 1969 – present
Attachment 4: Coal and Allied undertakings on land use after mining
Attachment 5: Extract of the Mine Rehabilitation Plan
Attachment 6: Rehabilitation Progress map and photos
Attachment 7: Visual Impacts/photomontage