MAINTAINING patches of natural vegetation, creating walkways to the beach and creating direct road links to Tuncurry’s town centre would all be central to planning for the 615 hectare North Tuncurry Development Project, according to developer UrbanGrowth NSW.
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An overview of the master plan for the development project, proposed to be set on Crown Land along Nine Mile Beach between the Great Lakes College and the Tuncurry tip, was on view to the public at Tuncurry on Saturday.
The land for the development, which would include more than 2000 lots, will need to be rezoned from Crown Land by the State Government. That process is expected to start in May.
UrbanGrowth NSW (formerly known as Landcom) development director Michael Pring said an outcome from the rezoning process would be expected towards the end of the year.
At the information session on Saturday, members of the public were invited to see more detail about the draft master plan for the site and give some feedback before the rezoning process started.
The draft master plan for the project gave more information on access for the site, including off The Lakes Way and Northern Parkway. It foreshadowed an extension to Beach Street, which would allow direct access to the town centre.
It also flagged the building of a community centre, surf club, village green, supermarket, retail stores and other amenities close to the beach-front.
In a bid to recognise the cultural heritage of the area, the master plan proposes introducing parks and heritage trails focusing on the traditional owners, the Birpai and Worimi. Artefacts and known significant sites, such as middens, would be recognised and protected, according to the plan.
Mr Pring met with members of the Forster Tuncurry Business Chamber last week at a breakfast to speak about the project. The meeting coordinator Bob Lee said a big crowd of more than 60 people came to hear about the project’s progress, which has been in the planning stages for several years.
He said the members were very interested to hear about proposed stormwater systems, animal corridors and how the development would be built around the Tuncurry golf course.
Mr Lee said there was also speculation from members about what impact the increased population a development that size would bring, including traffic concerns and employment opportunities.
Mr Pring said, from previous rounds of community feedback sessions held last year, traffic was a concern for many people.
“Any project of this magnitude is going to raise issues about traffic – particularly with the bridge between Forster Tuncurry,” Mr Pring said.
“There have also been concerns raised about the heights of buildings, particularly so close to the beach.”
The fate of a critically endangered species of orchid on the site – the Tuncurry Midge Orchid – has been a key point of concern, as is the elevated groundwater table and stormwater controls. The site is home to about 92 per cent of the known orchid population, while there are 12 other threatened species of fauna on the site.
If the rezoning is successful, Mr Pring said the development of the site would be dependent on market factors. The site, including about 2100 lots, would be likely developed in small stages according to demand over the coming years.
