MAITLAND Council has approved a bid for the expansion of a seniors living estate but one councillor has raised alarm bells over flooding at the site of the development.
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Last week, Maitland councillors approved the expansion of the number of dwellings at Heritage Parc in Rutherford.
The application sought consent to extend the approved retirement complex by a further 47 dwellings, to a total number of 146 self-contained dwellings over the two development applications.
It is also supported by a community centre and associated infrastructure.
But the application was met with criticism from Labor councillor Don Ferris.
Cr Ferris said he didn't believe council should be allowing more dwellings on the site of the development.
"This area is flood prone. Putting elderly people in this situation is dangerous," he said.
"I'm really concerned about this. It could be a catastrophe."
Cr Ferris previously raised alarm bells over the decision by the Hunter and Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) for the $29 million development.
In December 2018, the planning panel granted consent to the seniors housing development which then was seeking approval for 99 self-contained dwellings on the site.
At Tuesday's meeting, he asked Maitland City councillors to think about the potential consequences of allowing more dwellings on the site.
However, Maitland City Council approved the development application.
Cr Ferris and his fellow Labor councillor Henry Meskaukas voted against the proposal.
Cr Meskauskas said he also held concerns for the site.
"It's a low lying area. I'm fearful for these residents," he said.
While councillor Ben Whiting reminded councillors that the development was already approved.
At the same meeting, councillors also knocked back development applications for two boarding houses in Central Maitland and Rutherford.