THE largest housing development in Corowa's history, a 335-lot subdivision, has drawn more than 100 objections and sparked a Federation Council public meeting.
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However, the fate of the estates across two swathes of land off Redlands Road and Cemetery Road will rest with the NSW Land and Environment Court.
The shire has been taken to that forum by applicants, Awesome Corowa Pty Ltd and Awesome Cemetery Pty Ltd, and proceedings are underway with a conciliation hearing to be held on a date to be determined.
Meanwhile, the council is staging a public meeting online from 5.30pm Monday February 22 to hear from objectors.
Among those planning to address the gathering is Corowa designer Aaron Nicholls who is part of a group with concerns.
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They centre on a lack of diverse lot sizes, a shortage of earmarked green spaces and pressure on existing infrastructure, such as the sewerage system, and how that will be paid for.
"We hope that the council realises there's a groundswell of community sentiment that says 'yes we're for progress but no we will not accept this proposal in its current form'," Mr Nicholls said.
"Ultimately we want to work together with the council and developer to have the best outcome for everyone."
It is envisaged the estates would emerge in 13 stages with native flora and existing buildings to be razed.
The council's development and environmental service director Susan Appleyard reported to a shire meeting that it was "unlikely" the developer would attend a public meeting.
A surveyor for the developer Andrew Mott did not answer a question from The Border Mail about being its interest in a public meeting and would not say where the proponent was based.
Instead he made a statement noting that "our client has decided to appeal the matter of the development application with Federation Council to the Land and Environment Court.
"We have a timetable set down by the court, where council are expected to provide their statement of fact and contentions on 26 February explaining their issues with the proposal.
"We will be responding to any issues raised at that time."
Shire mayor Pat Bourke said the council's "approach wasn't negative or positive".
"On behalf of our constituents we needed to ask a few questions and iron out a few things, but the opportunity never came," Cr Bourke said.
