From the Far End of the Council Table
Date: 08-Mar-09
Author: Councillor James Ryan
The last Council meeting produced a whole mix of decisions. A good decision was the one in which there was no attempt to support the Skydiving at Hope Estate. This was given temporary permission to operate over Christmas until they found a more suitable location and the operators had wanted to extend their temporary permission.
Over the years Cessnock Council has developed a policy of excluding parachutists from dropping within five nautical miles of the airfield. The reason for this is to minimize the risk of any aircraft hitting a parachutist. One of the operators at the airport, Basair, had raised concern with Council. Basair are a flying school who employ 22 people full time at the airport and have 70 full time students living permanently in Cessnock while they study to become pilots.
Basair explained how they had selected Cessnock for long term operations because it had no parachuting or like activities and was therefore a safe airport for beginning students.
Council stuck to its policy and welcomed parachuting, but not within five nautical miles.
The other big issue was the rezoning of the Bellbird North Area. This is a massive area stretching from Wollombi road to the Vineyards - and potentially allowing for 4000 houses to be built.
Apart from Huntlee at Branxton, which proposes 7500 houses, Bellbird North is the largest rezoning in Cessnock. It will change the shape of Cessnock for ever. In my mind there is no doubt that some of the land is suitable for development, particularly that which is closer to the basin reserve. However there are big worries about flooding. The residents of Ruby St Bellbird will tell you how high the water came in the June 07 floods. That was supposedly a one in thirty year flood. A one in a hundred year flood will be a lot bigger. Despite this local residents believe the Councils plan will result in 77 hectares of flood prone land for housing.
The other objection being raised by residents is the cumulative impact on the vineyards. Vignerons have complained that hill of Mt View hav some of the best vineyards and best views in Hunter Wine Country. Allowing the suburbs to creep too close, they argue, will lessen the allure of the vineyards and be detrimental to our long term ability tourism and employment.
To me both of these arguments make sense. I don't believe Council should ever allow houses to be built in the flood plain. I also believe that Council has a slightly schizophrenic approach to Wine Country. We benefit greatly from the economic boost in employment and spending created by wine and tourism. We know that with over 5000 jobs, the industry employs far more people than the retail or health sectors, and a great deal more than the mining industry (which only supplies about 10% of jobs for our residents).
We also know that most tourists come from the city and are after a ‘country experience'. They want to drive through rolling hills of vines and eat at a restaurant overlooking the countryside. Given this importance to our local employment it surprises me that Council doesn't consider this enough when approving development which will detract from the vineyards.
If we kill the goose that laid the golden eggs, there will be no more eggs. This issue will be debated again at Council on March 18th. Meetings start at 6-30pm and the public are welcome. Make sure you have your say.
