Australand-Breen and Council Strike Agreement for Wanda Beach Housing Plan
Tuesday 1 June 2010
Land owners, Australand and Breen Holdings have struck an agreement with Sutherland Shire Council which helps pave the way for a proposed rezoning of 128.6 hectares of land at Wanda Beach to accommodate a major residential housing subdivision and associated recreation areas and sporting facilities.
After two-and-a-half years of negotiations, Council has signed a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with Australand-Breen which will see three-quarters of the site transferred to council as public open space and the development of 10 new playing fields and associated facilities worth up to $25 million at the expense of the proponents.
The proponents must now secure a rezoning from the NSW Minister for Planning and lodge development applications with Council before the subdivision can proceed.
It is proposed that homes in the subdivision will be reticulated with grey water from Sydney Water's nearby water treatment plant, making it one of Sydney's first water-friendly locations.
It is envisaged that treated water will be diverted from the treatment plant and used for toilet flushing and for gardens.
The 10 new playing fields on the site will also be irrigated with treated water.
"This development will result in the addition of about 450 new water-friendly homes in our Shire, which is significant given the current housing shortage and given the NSW State Government expects Council to provide 500 new homes per year for the next 20 years," said Sutherland Shire Mayor Lorraine Kelly.
"The allocation of three quarters of the site for public open space and the creation of 10 new playing fields and facilities will add to the Shire's stock of recreation areas and help ease the strain on council's already over used sports facilities," Clr Kelly said.
"In signing this agreement with the land owners it is important to know that there has been wide consultation with the community and extensive negotiations with the developers to ensure we secured the best result possible for the community, while still satisfying the needs of the developers," she said.
"Knowing that the Planning Minister can rezone for residential development independently, I am pleased that the minister has agreed to council's request to defer his decision until he considers the views of council," she said.
"We are delighted with Council's decision which will set a new planning framework for a major section of the Kurnell Peninsula, from industrial subdivision to residential and open space," said Tom Breen, CEO and Executive Chairman of Breen Holdings.
"The transfer of 91 hectares to the community will provide parklands and a vital ecological corridor from Wanda to Towra Point that will be enjoyed by countless generations to come," said Mr Breen.
"The decision endorses the hard work of Council over the past two-and-a-half years," said a company spokesman for Australand.
"Australand and Breen Holdings now look forward to Council confirming with the State Government its support for the rezoning so the proponents can commence the process of building the first stage of the playing fields and initial work for the related residential developments," the Australand spokesman said.
Clr Kelly said the new sporting facilities will be developed in stages with the first field, and amenities building and 68 bay carpark projected to be completed within 18 months after gazettal if the Planning Minister approves the rezoning.
Following that two more fields adjacent to Captain Cook Drive will be developed with an 80 bay carpark and amenities block.
In the second stage four more playing fields, including a baseball facility, will be developed together with an amenities building and car park for 112 vehicles
In the third and final stage three more fields will be developed with a 176 bay carpark.
As security the land owners will lodge bank guarantees to the value of $25 million which can be called upon by Council to complete any outstanding work should the developers fail to carry out the work specified in the VPA.
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