Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has welcomed a small but significant win in the battle over planning in Ku-ring-gai.
“I have been working closely with the community in fighting five-storey development in the so-called Lindfield Deferred Matter Area,” Mr O’Dea said.
“A Public Meeting, called by the Ku-ring-gai Council Planning Panel on 27 May, made no changes to planning recommendations, which included deferring consideration of two sites – one in Lindfield and another in Turramurra.
“As the Lindfield site is in my electorate of Davidson, I was involved in a strong campaign with local residents to reduce the proposed level of over-development for the area from 5 to 3 stories,” Mr O’Dea said.
“I met with numerous local residents and personally lodged a submission to Ku-ring-gai Council / the Planning Panel. Many others also made submissions, arguing strongly on a range of grounds against five-storey zonings.
“I am delighted that the Planning Panel has now proposed an R3 zoning (3 storey) for the whole area, which covers sections of Middle Harbour Road and Russell Avenue. This is a win for the community in general and a major victory for the people around the local site.” Mr O’Dea said.
Resident campaigners, John and Mary Postle wrote to Mr O’Dea saying,
‘We are so relieved, but feel very sorry for others elsewhere in Ku-ring-gai who have been affected for the worse. Thank you so much for your invaluable help in focusing resident action on this issue – people power can work it seems.’
“It is clear that consistent community opposition can achieve significant change,” Mr O’Dea said.
The local MP has also repeated calls for an Independent Audit on the number of new dwellings currently planned for Ku-ring-gai, compared to the agreed 10,000 target by 2031 – an appeal he initially made more than 12 months ago.
