Maitland’s progressive attitude to land development is about to slam head-on with the needs of home
owners in the serene back blocks.
Rathluba residents are up in arms over plans to subdivide a rural residential block into seven building lots housing up to 50 people.
Resident Stan Spink said he and at least 10 other residents would fight the proposal, which stands to make Wilton Drive a “busy road” and the intersection with Mt Vincent Road “more
dangerous”.
“It is the easing of the Maitland land and environment protection laws that has made it possible for the owner to further develop the land. We’ve only got until June 18 to stop this.”
The owner of the subject block and the person lodging the development application is understood to be the original landholder pre-dating the subdivision.
Councillors will be asked to assess the application against the guidelines set out in the 2011 Maitland LEP
considering a change in classification from C1 to R1.
Mr Spink said immediate neighbours on Wilton Drive received a letter on Wednesday advising them of the DA.
Photocopies of the letter were circulated to more residents on Thursday, calling a meeting for Sunday at the subject block.
Mr Spink feared approval of the DA could set a dangerous mandate for other large lot landholders in the estate to build high density housing – with the immediate potential for 12 lots to be split off between the subject lot and one adjacent to it.
“It’s going to change the ambiance of the place,” he said.
“It’s the thin edge of the wedge.”
Joint regional planning panellist and east ward councillor Bob Geoghegan was unaware of plans for the residents’ meeting.
“I’m surprised they did not approach me for advice,” he said.
“I’m amazed at how many people don’t contact councillors when we are there to represent them.”
Cr Geoghegan was not aware of the DA details on Thursday, but assured residents any decision would be well considered.
“People have the rights to subdivide within the guidelines spelled out in the 2011 LEP and other planning instruments,” he said.
“People must bear in mind landholders have the right to subdivide their land within those guidelines.”
Residents opposed to the integrated development proposal will meet on Wilton Drive at 11am Sunday.
