The $39 million North Lismore Plateau Development Application which includes the building of 742 residential lots has been rejected by the NSW Northern Regional Planning Panel.

The panel now decides all development applications (DA) over $30 million in our region which was previously determined by local councils.

The applicant is Michael Hercus and Allura Parklands Pty Ltd with local landholders:

• Mr A J & Mrs D L Purtle
• Mrs V Giacomini Giacmor Pty Limited
• Mr F Basso & Ms S Novkovic
• Mrs M L & Mr G & Mrs L Mazzorana
• Mrs L Massorana
• Mr A R & Mrs F M Riordan

The DA was lodged with Lismore City Council on 5 May 2021 to undertake a staged subdivision comprising 742 residential lots (comprising 8 precincts), 2 neighbourhood business lots, 1 residue lot (future residential), 14 public reserve lots and associated infrastructure, 45 new roads, road widening and road closures, bulk earthworks, essential services (water, sewer, power & telecommunications), stormwater management facilities, landscaping and environmental rehabilitation.

This does not mean the development is dead in the water. The DA was rejected due to the lack of detail in certain areas and can be resubmitted when the criteria are met.

Outlined in the document released by the Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP) there were 17 reasons including the final declaration, "For the preceding reasons approval of the application would not be in the public interest".

The preceding sixteen reasons were not consistent with certain directions in the North Coast Regional Plan 2036 and included enhancing biodiversity, a bushfire protection plan, potential impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage values, no approval from the NSW Office of Water, NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Heritage), traffic and fire trail perimeter to name a few of the components that did not satisfy the panel's criteria. For the full list, click here.

One area that was not a concern is the protection of our koala population with the 2017 Biodiversity Development Assessment Report identifying only two koala food trees. The summary from the vegetation found was reported "To not constitute core koala habitat in accordance of the definition within the relevant koala State Environmental Planning Policy".

As mentioned in the NRPP report, the North Lismore Plateau site has been identified as a potential location for urban development for more than 20 years.

The rezoning of the land from RU1 Primary Production, to include E2 Environment Conservation, E3 Environmental Management, B1 Neighbourhood Centre, R1 General Residential came into effect in 2016. The subject land is identified for future residential development in accordance with the Structure Plan adopted in Lismore Development Control Plan Part B Chapter 10 - North Lismore Plateau Urban Release Area.

The options in front of the Allura Parklands group are to head off to the Land and Environment Court or to complete the relevant reports outlined by the NRPP and resubmit the DA.