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 |
