Wollongong City Council has knocked back a proposal to increase housing density at Marshall Mount. Photo: Google Maps.
A push to slash lot sizes in Marshall Mount has been knocked back by Wollongong City Council.
Cavi Property Group submitted a planning request for Lot 8 off Marshall Mount Road asking for the minimum lot size in the C4 Environmental Living Zone to be reduced from 4999 sqm to 999 sqm.
Ed Karim, who represented the developers to the council, said the change would not affect the “visual impact,” as the more compact lots would be surrounded by lots that remained the originally approved size.
The council wasn’t buying it, however.
Councillor Ann Martin said the appearance of the development was just one reason for the large lot sizes, and concerns such as flooding and environmental impact could not be mitigated by hiding the smaller lots within a ring of larger ones.
“We acknowledge that in some parts of West Dapto we have smaller lots than in other parts because of environment qualities or flood plains,” she said.
“This land is zoned C4 and those qualities need to be respected.
“It’s not an easy zone; it’s used for places like Windang which are flood prone and puts up flags about how those places are developed.”
Council staff said the request to increase the number of lots on the site did not take into consideration other shortcomings of the site.
These included limited accessibility with one road in and one road out, proximity to the escarpment, a lack of public transport and vulnerability to bushfire.
Staff recommended the council vote against the request for smaller lot sizes.
Councillor Dan Hayes agreed – despite his previous stance that he would “always” vote in favour of any project that would increase housing.
“It pains me to support this rec as I’ve often spoken about the need for more housing.
“I think 5000 sqm is too large, but I’m not convinced 1000 sqm is right either.”
Councillor Ryan Morris, however, stood as the lone councillor in support of the proposal.
He said the desperate need for more housing outweighed any other considerations.
“It’s not row housing. We do have finite space and resources and have to make use of what we have,” he said.
All councillors except Cr Morris voted to knock back the request.
They did encourage the developer not to give up, however.
“I would encourage the proponents to listen to what the council and staff have said to see if there is something we can do here,” Cr Hayes said.
