No more subdivision of Sandon Point

Re Paul Bradley's (Anglican Retirement Villages) advice to the IM regarding Sandon Point (19/11/09) he clearly has little idea of the proposed site.

He seems to be under a delusion that there is an access road to the eastern front of his proposed "village" facing the public cycleway; "accessible from existing roads" but I'm happy to report the community still has Wilkies Walk pathway through the Turpentine Forest.

The area is close to Sandon Point sewage pumping station - which is one reason this green escarpment to ocean corridor still exists.

The other reason is that it is a known coastal floodplain, below a huge catchment with four dynamic creeks that flood within minutes during heavy rain.  Any local can tell you that the creeks form a lake across the site to filter stormwater before it reaches the sea.

Ironically, this environment has been protected by the sewage pumping station so that heritage Turpentine Forest regrowth covers the ARV and Stockland sites. It remains beautiful as well as highly culturally significant.

The forest has rare bird habitat listed under the federal EPBC Act, and the wetlands and seashore are a sanctuary for migratory birds in spite of Council's dog runway on McCauleys Beach.

The presence of an Aboriginal Place increases state and federal ESD issues that are not resolved; as well as climate change impacts to the natural flooding patterns. 

Planning Minister Keneally must declare void the Sandon Point Part 3A approval following exposure of Stockland's role in political donations. Also their interference at ministerial level to gain access through public space that will cause even worse traffic problems at Wrexham Road - L H Drive, with no genuine traffic study or informed community consultation.

Anglican Retirement Villages Paul Bradley says he must "sound out local interest" at Sandon Point. But he has to do much more than that - as the ARV has no Project Application which must first go to public exhibition.

Now Planning Minister Keneally has sent the Part 3A 'Concept Plan Approval' to the Planning Assessment Commission for "review" and "modifications". 

If any modifications allow encroachments on creekline and bushfire buffer zones they will breach requirements of the Supreme Court of Appeal (24/9/08) which directed the Planning Minister to "conscientiously address the principles of ESD in dealing with any development application ... to take into account the public interest."

Six years after the Sandon Point Commission of Inquiry, the community demands to know why Planning ignored its recommendations for protection of the Turpentine Forest and public space.

Sincerely,

Jill Walker

(Bulli)

jillwalker@westnet.com.au