Consultant to review latest Rural Land Study

At the extraordinary council meeting of 16th September 2004, Councillors resolved to appoint a consultant to review the latest Rural Land Study. Accordingly, on 23 November 2004 an advertisement appeared in the local media, seeking a "suitably qualified and experienced planning consultant to undertake this review". This time the objectives are firmly focussed on the key issue overlooked in the Rural Land Study, that of rural residential subdivision. They are:

• To review the documentation produced as part of the Rural Lands Study to date.
• To review all submissions and representations received in relation to the Rural Lands Study;
• To review the potential for sustainable subdivision within the rural area, considering the following options:

Potential subdivision of lots, e.g. lots over 5 hectares;

Potential for further subdivision around village areas, i.e. Kenthurst, Maroota, Glenorie, Dural, Middle Dural and Annangrove etc;

Subdivision where there is access to reticulated water, i.e. Cattai Ridge Rd, Kenthurst Rd, etc;

Potential subdivision in Maraylya, Box Hill, Nelson and Pitt Town Rd, Kenthurst.

• To review the opportunity for rural enterprise zoning and tourism, agribusiness based activities in the LEP and DCP;
• To identify potential for best practice solutions to create sustainable subdivision outcomes having regard to infrastructure constraints;
• To assist and advise the Working Group in its deliberations.

The Working Group referred to is a group of Councillors and council staff, as per the council resolution of 16 September 2004. According to that resolution, the intention is for a further report to be presented to the council by the first meeting in March 2005.

Connell Wagner were appointed as the review consultants. Their work includes the Local Environment Study for the recently-approved subdivision in the Pitt Town investigation area.

It is pleasing to note that the focus of the Rural Plan has returned to the issue of rural residential subdivision, since this was the issue that triggered the Rural Land Study in the first place, many years ago. It is to be hoped that Connell Wagner will recognise this, and the overwhelming support within the community for such subdivision, and employ their expertise to suggest ways to overcome any obstacles which may arise.