Whitebridge Relieved as Controversial Development Loses

BY TIM MOORE

A proposal for the four-storey Fettlers Whitbridge building project was rejected on Friday when the Land and Environment Court handed down its verdict on the highly controversial development plans.

The project has been a source of tension for residents for over six years now.

The Whitebridge Community Alliance have been a loud voice throughout the process as a group of locals passionate about preserving their community.

A spokesperson from the Alliance, Len McCarthy, said they have welcomed the decision and is optimistic about future efforts against development.

"I hope it stiffens the backbone of Lake Macquarie Council a little bit to take developers on more often... It was a very comprehensive judgment from the court and it showed that the developer had absolutely no grounds to force [the council] to grant them permission to build a fourth storey on the development at Whitebridge."

Despite the judgment, the developers are reportedly intending to continue taking Land and Environment Court action against the Lake Macquarie Council in order to modify previous agreements to further develop community resources in exchange for building permission.

Mr McCarthy said that the community's efforts are necessary to help preserve the area and hopes their action serves as an example to others facing similar circumstances.

"Developers like this only have one speed, and that is to squeeze every possible dollar out of any development, with no respect for the community at all... The attitude the community has to have is to come out fighting right from the start, otherwise they will just run all over you and you lose your community."

Image: realestate.com.au

Whitebridge Residents Continue To Oppose Fettler Development

A long-running feud between Whitebridge residents and SNL Building Constructions has reignited after it was revealed SNL had lodged a new development application.

The dispute reached an uneasy settlement in 2015 when the Joint Regional Planning Panel made SNL remove two top-floor apartments before approving construction, but a new development application has been lodged which could see Lake Macquarie Council effectively overturn the panel's decision.

Secretary of the Whitebridge Community Alliance, Lynden Jacobi, labelled the application a 'slap in the face' to residents.

Residents opposed the development of Fettlers Whitebridge when it was first proposed in 2013, citing concerns about over-development of the area, traffic congestion and environmental damage.

Whitebridge Community Alliance member Len McCarthy believes the area is congested enough without the extra development, which he says is double the density of the suburb.

"It means that Whitebridge becomes a high-density area. It means the whole corridor along Dudley Road will be a high-density corridor, it'll end up being lined by four-storey buildings with no public transport," Mr McCarthy said.

"It's just an insanity."

Council has dismissed residents' concerns, stating that SNL's application process is entirely legal.

Image Source: Fettlers Whitebridge
https://www.fettlerswhitebridge.com/information/about-fettlers/