THE proposed $1.5 billion Tweed Coast-based Kings Forest development will go before the Planning Assessment Commission on June 18, after stage one was recommended for approval this week.
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure completed its assessment of the proposed Kings Forest Concept modification and stage one sub-division project, under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 – recommending that it go ahead subject to conditions and agreed commitments from the developer.
The assessment is now set for consideration by the commission for determination at a meeting on Tuesday, 18 June at the South Tweed Sports Club, starting at 3pm.
This meeting is open to the public and bookings can be made to address the commission.
Project 28 Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Leda Developments, submitted its preferred project report for Stage One of the estate to NSW Planning back in November.
The report offered Leda’s response to some 312 submissions received during the project’s public exhibition period late last year and brings to an end more than 25 years in planning. Kings Forest was originally zoned in the late 1980s.
In its assessment, the department said the conditions placed on the development were required to prevent, minimise, and/or offset adverse environmental impacts; set standards and performance measures for acceptable environmental performance; require regular monitoring and reporting and provide for the ongoing environmental management of the project.
Project 28 Pty Ltd proposes to construct stage one of the Kings Forest residential community on an 880-hectare site west of Casuarina, a staged development it is planned to be built over 20 years eventually proposing to house over 10,000 residents in 4500 dwellings and include two primary schools, a golf course, 20 hectares of sports fields and open space.
Stage one of the project application provides for 431 dwellings across 383 residential lots, as well as bulk earthworks and roadworks. These dwellings include townhouses, terrace houses, plexes, zero-lot dwellings as well as traditional detached dwellings. The construction and occupation of these dwellings does not form part of this application and would be subject to a separate approval process through council.
Tweed mayor, Councillor Barry Longland, has welcomed the Department of Planning and Infrastructure’s assessment and the opportunity for council and the community to address the Planning Assessment Commission’s meeting.
“Our council put in a very detailed and robust submission and I’m hoping that the final determination will take into account the important issues we raised,” Councillor Longland said.
The Environmental Assessment report (EA) was publicly exhibited from 22 November 2011 until 23 December 2011 for a period of 32 days. The department received 302 submissions during the exhibition of the EA, including 10 submissions from public authorities and 292 submissions from the general public and special interest groups.
All submissions were made as objections to the proposal. The application is being referred to the PAC for determination as more than 25 public submissions in the nature of objections were received.
To view the assessment, go to www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au
Anyone wishing to speak at the Commission hearing should call Stephanie Calderaro on (02) 9383 2112 before 1pm on Friday 14 June.
