$59 Million Honeysuckle Complex One of Next 24 Projects to be Fast Tracked by State Government

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The construction of a $59 million multi-storey apartment and commercial complex in Honeysuckle, has been earmarked as one of the next 2 dozen projects to be fast-tracked by the State Government. 

The NSW Government today announcing another 24 priority projects, which will have their planning assessments fast tracked, aiming to inject more than $5.37 billion into the State’s economy and created thousands of new jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Honeysuckle complex will hold 105 apartments, with multiple ground floor commercial premises and basement car parking, from the proponent, Trustee for Horizon Newcastle Unit Trust.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the second batch of projects could provide more than 15,000 jobs, more than 3,600 new homes and enhance NSW’s status as this country’s economic powerhouse.

“NSW is streets – and roads and homes and hospitals and schools – ahead of every other State in providing new jobs, economic growth, infrastructure and services for our people,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This health crisis only sharpens our focus and energy as we bring forward the NSW Government’s unprecedented infrastructure spend and create an environment where private and government investment combine to help us rebound from the pandemic together.”

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said it's important to recognize these are just the prioritised projects.

“During the same period we also approved  – through our normal process – 42 projects worth $2.4 billion, creating opportunities for more than 4,600 jobs and 399 new homes.

“We’re creating great places to live, work and play while also showing the world that NSW is ready to not only recover but thrive,” Mr Stokes said.

A determination is to be made on every project in the tranche within four weeks, with decisions to be made by 18 June 2020. 

MP Labels Mambo Wetlands Buy-Back Plans "A Flop"

BY JARROD MELMETH

It has been two years since the NSW Government sold the Mambo Wetlands at Salamander Bay and six months since the Premier wrote to Port Stephens Council indicating that the government would explore its options for purchasing the site back.

In her letter, the Premier said the government was looking to purchase the land through the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme which is used to bring coastal lands into public ownership. The Department of Planning administers the scheme, which receives an annual budget allocation of $3 million for strategic acquisitions.

In Parliamentary question time, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington asked the Minister for Planning when the Department will make a determination on the application to repurchase the Mambo Wetlands site at Salamander Bay using the funding from the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme.

Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts responded saying the Department of Planning has offered to purchase the land but "at this point in time the owner of the Mambo Wetlands site has not accepted the offer."

Ms Washington said if the owner is not willing to sell it back, the government must use its powers to compulsorily acquire the land.

"The government could have already acquired the land. The government knew when they sold it off, how precious this land was. Once they did it they said it was a mistake. They are responsible for fixing their mistake and they have the power to do it," Ms Washington said.

In March, the NSW Labor opposition committed to buying back the land if it forms government in the March 2019 state election.

Mambo Wetlands Site at Salamander Bay.
Photo: Port Stephens Examiner.

Department of Planning: Gloucester not a suitable site for Rocky Hill mine

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lock the Gate Alliance have welcomed a recommendation by the Department of Planning rejecting the development application for the Rocky Hill coal mine at Gloucester.

In an Environmental Impact Assessment to the Planning Assessment Commission, the Department has listed, the site not being suitable for the project; the impacts to residents due to the proximity to the town of Gloucester; visual and social impacts as well as the project not being in the public interest as reasons why the development application should be refused.

The report concludes that "the Department acknowledges that the amended project would deliver economic and employment benefits to the Gloucester region and State economies for the period that the mine would be operational.

"However, in the Department's view, the amended project is incompatibly located with respect to the southern fringes of the nearby urban area of Gloucester," the Environmental Impact Assessment said.

Lock the Gate Alliance spokesperson Georgina Woods says this is a common sense decision.

"It was never a good idea to dig an open cut coal mine right on Gloucester's doorstep and to subject the people there to air and noise pollution. We welcome it and congratulate the people of Gloucester who have rallied together to protect the quality of life and environment of their community," Ms Woods said.

Although the proposal for the mine has been amended by reducing operating hours as well as a range of other measures, the Department did not provide any recommended conditions of consent.

NSW Greens resources spokesman Jeremy Buckingham said it was time for the Planning Assessment Commission to now reject the mine and the government should cancel the exploration license for the area to give the residents of Gloucester some certainty for the future.

The Planning Assessment Commission has convened and elected a chair to rule on the matter although no deadline for a decision has yet been set.

Protesters against Rocky Hill coal mine. Image: Groundswell
Gloucester.

New Beds for Newcastle Private

The State Government and Department of Planning have approved an extra storey to be built on top of a new building at Newcastle Private Hospital.

It will allow for 15 new beds and an additional operating theatre, bringing the total up to 196 and 10 respectfully.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald praised the announcement, saying "these extra beds and additional health infrastructure will assist the health system to meet demand and provide timely treatment."

"The Hunter community is fortunate to have a mix of high quality private and public health providers."

The plan also included an elevated pedestrian link between the existing Kingston and Croudace Buildings.

The original plan, back in 2010 approved a six storey building on top of a three stroy parking lot, that total has now been increased to seven.