2015-07-21 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    21 JULY 2015


Staff also expressed concern with the water supply catchment and need issues raised in the
assessment report.
On 29 June 2015 the applicant provided an amended proposal plan and some brief commentary
regarding the issues. The applicant also agreed to extend the decision period to 9 August 2015
to allow Council further time for its assessment. The amended plan included as Attachment 1
provides an increased riparian buffer but otherwise generally maintains the previous components
and layout of the development. Discussion of the issues raised with the applicant is provided
below.


Riparian Buffer
The proposal plan has been amended to provide a 30m buffer from the top of the creek bank
running through the south-western portion of the site. Water treatment bio-basins have been
removed from the buffer area, with the exception of a small basin required to treat runoff from the
Myall Street road widening. Conditions could be applied in relation to the location or design of
this basin.
A 30m buffer was identified by Council’s Environment Officer as the minimum width suitable to
protect the creek’s habitat value and allow for rehabilitation. The buffer represents a compromise
between the 10m buffer originally proposed and the 75m+ sought by the Biodiversity Overlay
Code. The creek’s location adjacent to the highway and modified upstream and downstream
conditions were noted in the original assessment and the amended buffer is considered
acceptable.


Tourist Park Amenity
In regard to the acoustic amenity and position of the tourist park component, the applicant
responded:
The previously submitted Acoustic report by MRG Environmental (18/01/2015) assesses the
impacts of road traffic and internal operational noise on the proposed Tourist Park. The report
concludes that with the provision of acoustic barriers and treatment of facades to the cabins in
accordance with accepted standards (MP4.4), road traffic noise is mitigated to achieve the
nominated noise level criteria. Similarly, commercial noise impacts are mitigated so as to achieve
nominated noise level criteria by incorporating design elements and management of on-site
operations. The Acoustic Report can be reasonably included by Council as part of any approval
documents with compliance with the conclusions contained in the report conditioned accordingly.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads who administer noise impacts from State
controlled roads, have considered the application and the submitted acoustic report and have
provided their approval (24/02/2015) inclusive of conditions. We therefore believe the
development as proposed and with the measures contained within the acoustic report ought to
be supported by the Council.
No changes to the tourist park layout are proposed. During the discussions the applicant
acknowledged the cabins will require a number of acoustic attenuation measures and the tourist
park would experience highway noise but the applicant felt this is commensurate with the site’s
location and reasonably expected by visitors.




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