ALBURY Council has baulked at approving a contentious 424-lot sub-division in Thurgoona after last-minute concerns were raised about the design of the main access road into the estate.
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The council was this week presented with 22 pages of conditions for development approval for the large-scale project proposed by Peter Bowen Homes with the access road to be built off Table Top Road.
Concerns relating to the creation of a “retarding basin” on the Woolshed and Eight Mile Creek floodplains were raised by dam design expert, Richard Rodd.
“The embankment as envisaged would be a significant obstruction in the flood-plain and will obstruct flood flows,” Mr Rodd said in his submission.
“In my professional opinion, even if the development proceeds with significant amendment, the outcome may be that a high-level bridge will be required in lieu of the embankment.”
Council planning staff recommended the access road be designed in accordance with Australian National Committee On Large Dams guidelines and the design submitted to the NSW Dam Safety Committee for approval before any civil works could start.
But deputy mayor Amanda Cohn succeeded in deferring council approving the development application.
“We've had advice the access road may constitute a prescribed dam and it's not clear who will fund the ongoing safety checks and maintenance,” she said.
Cr Cohn said she still had concerns about lot sizes and open space and wanted another workshop on the development.
Cr Henk van de Ven and Cr Alice Glachan wanted council to approve the application including the additional condition about the main access road.
“I think it is very dangerous what we are doing here by keeping on delaying things,” he said.
“Ninety-nine per cent of the issues have been addressed.”
The council meeting was attended by Mr Bowen and concerned Thurgoona residents.