A HORNET’S nest of public opinion has been stirred by the $1.5billion Huntlee residential development being rejected a second time in the NSW Land and Environment Court.
The proposal, which comprises about 7500 homes for a site near Branxton on the Cessnock and Singleton local government boundary, was rejected earlier this month due to a challenge by the Sweetwater Action Group.
North Rothbury resident Shane Day contacted The Argus to say he believed nine out of 10 people living in the Branxton, Greta and North Rothbury area wanted the project to proceed.
“I think a few people (like Cessnock councillors Chris Parker and James Ryan) are trying to stop something that will be good for future generations despite most of the people living here at the moment wanting it,” Mr Day said.
“It will be structured and planned, rather than ad hoc, and bring schools, supermarkets, trains, hospitals, sporting fields, playgrounds and much more to the area for the benefit of our children.
“I grew up here and I know what ít’s like having to hitchhike home from high school in Singleton or travel away from the area to play sport regularly.
Mr Day was among several people who spoke to The Argus this week, giving views for and against Huntlee.
Branxton real estate agent and former Branxton and Greta Community Business Chamber president Neil Thomas supported Mr Day’s views.
“A couple of people are opposed to it, but I’d say 70 per cent to 80 per cent want it.
“It will create business and job opportunities for our children’s children and with the F3 link road this area will have easy access to Newcastle and Sydney.
“It will help relieve the overflow population pressures from Sydney and provide accommodation for mineworkers and others.”
Mr Parker, who is also president of the Sweetwater group, disputed the view of Mr Day and Mr Thomas, saying he had seen surveys showing more than 75 per cent of local residents opposed Huntlee.
“This development has gone from last to first on the state government’s list of appropriate sites and anyone who thinks about it has to ask ‘why’, particularly as the area is contaminated by old mine workings, has subsidence problems, is home to numerous endangered species and lacks social infrastructure.”
“We’re not opposed to jobs or houses, or facilities like schools, hospitals and sporting fields,” Cr Ryan said.
“We’re simply saying this is the wrong place for such a massive project, yes, accommodation is needed for mineworkers but it should be built at Muswellbrook and Scone, were the mines are.
Two North Rothbury residents, Karen Chandler and John Bulter, told The Argus they believed more than 75 per cent of local residents opposed Huntlee.
They were among the opponents because part of the site had major coalmine subsidence problems, parts of the surface were contaminated by coal waste and other areas had rare and endangered species.
The area also had no police, no hospital, no ambulance, limited school options and inadequate sewer treatment facilities.
Representatives of the development company LWP Property Group are still considering proceeding with the project.
Email a friend