A proposal to rezone land at Hanley’s Creek from rural to rural lifestyle has sparked an avalanche of criticism from the small close-knit community.
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Residents say if approved the rezone would pave the way for developing residential-style living which would seriously impact on the area’s quiet, country-style atmosphere.
Resident Suzanne Landers said it was a complete fallacy that the creation of new home sites creates new residents: “It does not”.
“New residents are created by new business coming to Dungog,” she said. “Dungog is promoting itself as an unspoiled country town, unlike those around us which have been ruined by mining and commercial development - the Mumfords Concert, the Dungog Film Festival, the coming Planet Dungog Festival depend on the existence of an unspoiled environment.
“The introduction of more house sites could only dampen the prices of existing lots. The strategic plan for Dungog Shire clearly states that the residents wish to retain the rural character of the shire.”
Dungog Shire Mayor Harold Johnston said this week he supported the move to rezone the Hanley Creek parcel of land, which would facilitate the development of two-acre blocks.
“I am in favour of it because Dungog simply needs to grow,” he said. “It would give people looking to settle here another option – council has some blocks in town if they want a residential property.”
Cr Johnston said there was land available at Vacy, Patterson and Clarence Town, which was good for those towns “but we need people up here”.
Hanley’s Creek was the first reasonable site available, he said. And there was a developer available who was prepared to do the work.
“But this is only a rezone proposal, not a development application,” Cr Johnston said. “We haven’t got to any of the detail yet.”