Diamond Beach Urbanization.

PETITION 391 Diamond Beach Road Diamond Beach

Construction of 42 townhouses DA2021-1724  

We object to the above development on the following grounds;

Not what it proposes to be - The development has been presented as “Tourist and Visitor accommodation” but is actually a townhouse development for permanent occupation before the land is actually zoned for residential use. It appears to circumvent appropriate legalities and processes related to current council zoning and an attempt to rezone by stealth. 

Bushfire risk – There is one road in and out of Diamond Beach.The development is within a designated bushfire prone area according to the NSW Rural Fire Service.  This medium density style development places many of residences on a dangerous location with limited opportunity for escape. Increased population densities place all of Hallidays Point at risk in an emergency until a secondary access and egress road is available.

Traffic generation – Diamond Beach Road is not adequate to support medium density development at the furthest end of the road; Each town house is provided with a large garage area providing parking for 2 vehicles. The northern townhouses  also have long concrete driveways in front of the garages which allow for stacked parking of a further 2 vehicles for each townhouse  Total – 94 carparking spaces.

Medium density -The density of this development is out of character with the village of Diamond Beach and the locality of Hallidays Point. This style of development is inconsistent with the current character of the area and should rightfully be located close to services, transport and shops. It is situated in the northern most isolated location in Hallidays Point. There is little or no public transport or options for any other form of transport other than cars. 

Environmental concerns -There is no current biodiversity study of the Diamond Beach area despite being known to provide habitat for at least five threatened and vulnerable  species. This includes koalas, squirrel gliders, cat birds, phascogales and loggerhead turtles  (Diamond Beach is known as the southernmost viable nesting site)  The site also includes remnant swamp mahogany forest vegetation. The impact of increased urbanisation on these species has yet to be fully assessed by comprehensive study.

Mid Coast Community Action Group    Contact the author of the petition