Council
20 November, 2024
‘Koalas ahead of progress’
Somerset Council has received over 100 submissions opposing a controversial development application (DA) in Fernvale, that proposed to build 121 residential lots on mapped koala habitat areas.
Earlier this month, the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) directed the Council to refuse a proposed development due to its impact on the local koala population.
However, Council must still complete its full assessment process before reaching a final decision.
This includes reviewing and considering all public submissions.
While many submissions focused on concerns about the destruction of core koala habitat, other arguments against the development included the increased threat to other native animals.
Additional concerns were raised regarding the lack of infrastructure and the potential for increased criminal activity.
One public submission expressed strong opposition to the development, citing fears of social issues:
“I am strongly against a development putting small blocks in this area bringing many social problems.
On the other side of town, I was often parked in by police for drug raids on my neighbors, witnessing violence in the street between residents, and I do not want to return to that lifestyle.
We are on acreage blocks here and are happy with our Fernvale lifestyle—please don’t take it away.”
Another submission highlighted infrastructure challenges:
“The development and the number of people living in the development will put pressure on non-existent infrastructure.
There are no bus stops on or near Goan Lane or public transport.
There are no footpaths on Goan Lane or Forest Hill Fernvale Road between this development and the school for foot traffic.”
Of the 108 submissions received during the official period, plus an additional three after the period closed, 78 were pro-forma submissions.
DTS Principal Planner Liam Donald has since withdrawn the application’s current stopped period and requested the Council to "proceed to issue the refusal notice."
A formal decision is expected in December.
