Despite Mayor Sue Moore putting forward a motion to defer the decision, Singleton Council has unanimously voted against allowing the construction of a highway service centre at the busy intersection of Bridgman Road and the New England Highway.
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The proposal sought to build a service station, take away food and drink premises and two ancillary shops, at 5 Bridgman Road which is in a high hazard floodway as identified in the Council’s Singleton Floodplain Risk Management Plan.
Ten speakers addressed Council during the public access period before the vote, and all but one objected.
With nine local residents citing a number of issues from the most obvious, flooding, to traffic congestion and pedestrian safety.
They also pointed out the deficiencies in the report prepared by council staff recommending the development go ahead.
Initially Mayor Moore attempted to amend the original motion to approve the development in favour of deferring it.
She suggested conducting a comprehensive review of the proposal in light of the inadequate report.
This motion was not supported.
Councillor, Sarah Lukeman, then put forward a motion to refuse the application.
She said it was a badly presented proposal that didn’t warrant any more time being wasted on it.
Both Councillors Holly Jenkins, and Tony Jarrett, immediately agreed.
“Nothing is going to change the fact the development is in a high hazard floodway - I don’t want to give it anymore time,” Cr Jenkins added.
At one stage during the discussion a perplexed Councillor Sue George asked: “Why are we even being asked to consider it?”
She referred to the floodplain risk management study adopted by Council in July 2012 which clearly states “high hazard floodways are unsuitable for residential, commercial and industrial developments.”
Eventually, all the Councillors voted in favour of Cr Lukeman’s motion to refuse the application for the following reasons:
- the proposal is not suitable for a high hazard floodway according to the Singleton Local Enivronment Plan (SLEP) and Floodplain Risk Management Plan;
- the proposed development is not consistent with the objectives of RU1 primary production zone of the SLEP;
- the proposed development is not in the public interest as identified in the community strategic plan;
- and the proposed development has the potential to increase traffic congestion and adversely affect pedestrian safety.