Natalie Gordon could not hide her emotion as a large old tree at her grandparents' former home was felled on Monday.
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The more than 150-year-old Yellowbox and five other trees were chopped down to make way for a proposed eight terrace houses on a block on the corner of Rex and Princess Streets, Bradfordville.
If approved, the home of her late grandparents, Bede and Vonnie Gordon, will also be demolished in a process under which neither the community nor council have a say.
"It is just disrespectful of the community," Miss Gordon said.
"The tree's time was up but I don't believe eight multi-units are justified in that space...Lots of people have had plenty to say about it but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears."
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While not a resident of the area, Miss Gordon said she held a deep sentimental attachment to the home and garden which hosted many family gatherings over the years. Bede, a World War Two veteran and well known real estate agent, bought the house in the 1970s and lived there until his death in 2010. His wife died in 2006.
The tall Yellowbox tree was a feature and was filled with bird life. Miss Gordon said her grandparents were always told by the council they couldn't knock it down, even when white ants later invaded.
But now the house's owner and developer has lodged a development application for the site under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008. It proposes to demolish the existing house, retain the pool and erect eight terrace houses.
If the application complies with standards, it can be approved either by a council or a private certifier. The Rex Street developer has chosen the latter.
The process has angered neighbours and the wider community because they don't have a say. Already, more than 120 people have signed a petition opposing the development.
Neighbours only received notification from Waratah Certifiers on November 20 advising of the plan.
"The 14-day pre-approval period is an opportunity for you to discuss the proposed building works with the applicant. Although, should you make any representations to the applicant, it is important to note they are under no obligation to make changes to the development," the letter stated.
"Complying developments mean a faster approval process for the applicant, whilst ensuring stringent planning and environmental requirements are met."
Only when the DA is approved will neighbours be allowed to inspect plans at the council office. They will receive seven days' notice of work starting.
Miss Gordon said she could well understand if the developer wanted to rebuild the home in what was a predominantly single-dwelling area on larger lots. But she said eight houses did not fit the neighbourhood's character and were "unjustified" given that others, like the Marian Apartments, were for sale elsewhere in Goulburn.
"The reason why planning exists is to allow people to have affordable housing but at what point are people exploiting it to make a quick buck?" she asked.
"The council doesn't want to deal with it and the state doesn't, so what do we do about it? The neighbours and I feel helpless because this property is being exploited with this backdoor provision."
Miss Gordon described the complying development process as 'box ticking' that might be appropriate for larger cities but not regional areas.
Direct neighbour Tony Hedges agrees. He's calling for a review of the SEPP.
"We don't get a say and neither does the council. How does that help anyone in the community?" he asked.
"I don't want to stop development but it's been taken out of our hands and that doesn't seem right to me."
Mr Hedges said not even the council had detailed plans at this stage, a fact the organisation confirmed to The Post.
He's also concerned the plan for terrace houses will set a precedent in the area, decrease property values, increase noise and traffic pollution, destroy flora and disrupt native wildlife and eradicate a breeding ground for wood billed duck.
Council general manager Warwick Bennett is sympathetic to residents' concerns.
"Local Government has been concerned for some time with the use of private certifiers who are able to fast track approvals under State Environmental Planning Policies," he said in a statement.
"These certifiers work for the developer, and are able to bypass the need for genuine consultation which is of concern to the council, however we are unfortunately powerless to act if the project is acceptable under the planning and environmental requirements."
The council previously approved the trees' removal due to "structural concerns and public safety."
Miss Gordon acknowledged the Yellowbox displayed deep rot, stress fractures and deep inclusions. Other native trees around the perimeter will stay.
The Post was unable to contact the developer but Waratah Certifiers director Ahmed Abdelrehim said he had not yet received plans and documentation from the developer and could not assess the application until these were furnished.
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He said he was bound to follow the SEPP process, make a decision and had no other role beyond that.
The growing popularity of multi-units in primarily single-dwelling areas this year prompted the council to review its residential and subdivision controls.
Environment and planning director Scott Martin previously said while this did not aim to totally stop multi-units, there needed to be greater consideration of density, visual amenity, road widths, privacy and the impact on service infrastructure.
A publicly exhibited interim amendment to the 2009 development control plan attracted two submissions. Councillors were due to consider it at their meeting on Tuesday.
A more permanent policy will be drafted over the next year.
Meantime, the issue is expected to again arise with a development application for six multi-units and a community title subdivision at 14 Grimston Circuit, near Fitzroy Street. The council is publicly exhibiting the plan.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
