People known as nimbys (not in my backyard) copped a blast when Campbelltown’s $1.4 billion “mini Manhattan’’ plan came before last night’s council meeting.
Officially known as the Kellicar precinct, the plan for high rise housing and commercial space that will bring more than 2,000 jobs sailed through the first stage of the planning process when it was given the green light.
The proposal will now be sent to the State Government for what is called a “gateway’’ review.
During debate, Labor councillor Karen Hunt delivered a stinging rebuke of those opposed to development in Campbelltown.
“While I am quite excited about this proposal, which will change the face of Campbelltown, I must say I am disappointed with the nimby warriors on social media who criticise any plans to build anything more than two storeys high in Campbelltown,’’ Cr Hunt told the council.
“Some of them don’t even live here.
“But they should take a good hard look around them and see where Campbelltown’s at – where do these people think other people will live and raise their families?
“I look forward to the fantastic city we will become when plans like these are completed,’’ Cr Hunt said.
Cr Warren Morrison backed up Cr Hunt.
“I am proud of our city, always have been,’’ he told council.
“This is a big thing for our city. And the future’s going to happen – we have to make sure it happens the best way possible for the people living there and everyone else in the community,’’ Cr Morrison said.
The only one opposed to sending the plan to the state government was Cr Ben Moroney, who unsuccessfully moved an amendment to defer it until the completion of flooding and traffic studies and more information from the proponent on issues such as affordable housing and public space.
Cr Moroney said sending it to the state government was essentially a tick of approval for the project from council.
The Kellicar precinct proposal, which includes plans for apartment towers up to 85 metres in height, is one of several major game changing developments in Campbelltown at various stages of the planning process.
Others include the Campbelltown RSL redevelopment, Brands on Sale factory outlets and others along Queen Street (pictured top) and Dumaresq Street in the heart of the CBD.
At last night’s meeting veteran councillor Paul Lake successfully moved the council look into the creation of a scale model of what the town would look like if all these projects were eventually completed over the next 20 years.
Cr Lake asked that projects such as the Campbelltown Billabong and the sports centre of excellence and Campbelltown Hospital be included in such a model to be put on display in the council foyer.
“I think it would be a great way for everyone to see exactly what we will look like if all these developments with high rise towers and so on go ahead,’’ Cr Lake said.
A feasibility study of the cost of such a scale model will now be presented at the next council meeting.
