Why not RU2 Zoning for Wollombi Valley?

Comments (8)

Posted: 15-Apr-08 17:14 by Gloria Balogh Gottlieb Permalink

This situation is atroscious and I dont understand why we are not taking a more militant view at least refer this matter to the NSW Ombudsman ?

Posted: 15-Apr-08 20:16 by carl hoipo Permalink

I think RU2 would suit our community best.

Posted: 21-Apr-08 12:53 by Sophie Prager Permalink

this is unbeleivable.
Wollombi is screwed if it becomes an E3 zone.
its just disgusting that the council thinks they
can prance in and change everything about our lifestyle.
what do they want? how many people actually know about this??

Posted: 21-Apr-08 20:41 by Adam Boxall Permalink

My first response to being told of the potential negative impact the implementation of the draft LEP would have was, 'Why would they do it then?' It would seem I do not stand alone. The preposterous parts of the draft LEP makes far more learned members of the community ask the same question.

CCC had to adopt the 'made for all councils' LEP blueprint courtesy of the Dept. of Planning but why wasn't it applied more fairly? Did it come with instructions advising the council town planners on how and what percentages of land within the council area are to be zoned? Was the time frame imposed by the Dept. of Planning too restrictive to diligently apply the required zonings? Even so what were they thinking when they applied the E3 Environmental Management zone and the extensive Heritage Conservation Area to such a concentrated portion of the Cessnock City Council area.

Regardless of whether this is the case or not it if the CCC town planning bureaucrats took more time writing such an important instrument as LEP 2008 and the councillors and mayor spent more time reading the document BEFORE voting and passing it through to the DoP then perhaps we wouldn't fighting against it today. Surely there must be areas better suited to E3 zoning throughout the council area and we cannot be only Heritage Conservation area?

Let's all hope that the efforts of our community members bring commonsense amendments to this LEP before it is gazetted, such as the better suited RU2 zoning, allowing the 'existing holding' clause to remain and confining the Heritage Conservation areas to more appropriate and distinct locations.

Oh, if someone does really happen to think this LEP is fair and reasonable and know why the Wollombi area is so deserving of this special treatment please let me know.
Cheers.

Posted: 22-Apr-08 17:04 by Richard Gulley Permalink

I am at a total loss to understand the reasoning behind the E3 zoning proposed in the 2008 LEP.
I have resided in the Wollombi on a part time basis for over 14 years. I have expended many thousands of dollars developing my property of now some 227 acres and my agricultural enterprise to a very high standard to enable me to breed my cattle and enjoy a lifestyle. I am looking forward to retirement in a place I consider to be my chosen home in the future.I am now faced with this bureaucratic insanity for which I can receive no reasonable explanation

Posted: 22-Apr-08 18:17 by Robyn Lamond Permalink

I would like the planners who have chosen to apply E3 Zone, Environmental Management to the floor of the Wollombi Valley to tell us just what ecological, scientific, cultural or aesthetic values are threatened now or would be threatened by the application of rural zoning.

Most of the land on the valley floor has enhanced ecological, scientific, cultural and aesthetic values as a result of changed grazing regimes, extensive planting of native vegetation and more sensitive management of riverbanks, bushland remnants and regrowth. However, grazing by cows, sheep and horses and other suitable small scale agricultural pursuits are still vital to the effective management of the open areas to improve soil fertility and reduce fire risk in this sparsely settled area adjacent to extensive National Parks and State Forests as well as to preserve the vistas enjoyed along the historically significant Great North Road.

Landholders in the Wollombi Valley have demonstrated over decades how committed they are to being stewards of the nature and heritage of the valley, working on projects with government agencies to protect many significant cultural and natural resources. Allowing rural and tourism options in the valley has enabled a cross section of skilled people to live here and work together, often as volunteers, to achieve those positive outcomes.

I repeat, if there are ecological, scientific , cultural or aesthetic values sought by the NSW Government and Council that are not being protected and enhanced in the Wollombi Valley, just let us know and I've no doubt we can work towards achieving them as well, under a rural zoning.

Posted: 23-Apr-08 17:41 by Wayne Tong Permalink

A copy of a previous posting of ours, also applying to this article.

"Sounds like Socialism to me, I thought NZ was the only country with draconian and totalitarian leaders and councils, obviously not. Robin Hood would love to play in this modern era of robbing the "wealthy"."

Posted: 23-Apr-08 22:29 by Paul Groves Permalink

The restrictive nature of the proposed E3 zoning would place in jeopardy not only the economic viability of farming and small business in the valley but would fundamentally damage a vibrant rural community.

Contrary to what may appear to be the stated purpose of an E3 declaration, the inevitable reductions in investment in agricultural, commercial and tourist facilities will also bring reductions in activities which protect the health and beauty of the environment and valley.

E3 zoning can only ultimately serve to increase the dependency of the Wollombi Valley community on Government funding at a time when climate changes demand more of our landowners and farmers than ever before.

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