Developer seeks dispensation

Developer Providence Projects has sought not to comply consent conditions requiring bush regeneration of areas of rare bushland outside its Hillview St property, according to the Central Coast branch of the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Branch president Mr Mark Snell said the ACF branch had obtained a copy of a letter the developer had written to Council seeking a relaxation of the conditions, before they were approved in May.

In the letter, the developer acknowledged a requirement for a total of $225,000 towards an environmental trust fund.

The developer wrote: "I also note that a number of other conditions refer to the Species Impact Statement (SIS) and the Bush Management Plan (BMP) ... it was the intent that initial rehabilitation work be proposed ... for other lots ... that fall outside our boundary.

"As discussions ensued, it was made clear that it was impractical to offer these services.

"The contributions are in place of any work stipulated in the SIS and the BMP that falls outside lot 20."

Mr Snell said the council did not change the conditions of consent when it approved the development application on May 8.

However, it now appeared that the developer would "get his way", Mr Snell said.

Mr Snell said that council staff were making plans to receive seed and plants cleared from the development site for use on other UCSW sites.

"It is clear that the developer is not allowing time or money for preparatory work on other sites, and council staff are accepting this," Mr Snell said.

Press release, 5 Jul 2007 Mark Snell, Australian Conservation Foundation