A controversial bid for up to 230 new houses in St Helen’s Park bushland off Kellerman Drive is almost certain to end up in court after it was rejected for the third time in 18 years.
Local environmental groups have fought the housing plan since it was first revealed in 2008 on the basis that the land was smack bang in the middle of koala habitat and development would have been a disaster for the protected species.
They kept up their protests when he developer amended the plans in 2016, and again this year, the third, and maybe final time.
Jayden Rivera, the Greens leader on Campbelltown Council, has welcomed the decision of the local planning panel and hopes that it may be the end of the matter.
“It’s a big win for wildlife and environment, but also for people of St Helens Park who have been fighting for years,’’ Cr Rivera said after the decision was handed down on September 23.
“I’m sure they may try take it to the Land and Environment Court again, but it seems like the evidence shows it’s not the proper place for such a development.’’
The planning panel acknowledged the proposal sought to provide additional housing and much of the land is zoned for low density residential purposes.
“Those matters are relevant and have been given weight,’’ the panel said.
“However, zoning permissibility and housing supply do not make this particular subdivision footprint acceptable.
“The site is heavily constrained by biodiversity values, including core koala habitat, threatened fauna habitat and critically endangered ecological communities.
“The development will have unacceptable impacts on threatened species and endangered ecological communities and their habitats,’’ the panel said.
Not surprisingly, the key panel concerns included the impact on core koala habitat and corridor impacts, significant local impacts to the Cumberland Plain Land Snail, and inadequate offsets.
Following the third rejection, all opponents can do is to sit back and see if a court will have the final say on the Kellerman Drive housing proposal.
