Residents of Yarrawonga Estate say they will continue fighting against a proposed seniors housing residence, following a decision to defer the development application.
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The residence, proposed for 5L Wellington Road, would be comprised of 84 dwellings and associated infrastructure.
However, the application was deferred at Monday’s council meeting until a full traffic review was compiled by the Roads and Maritime Services regarding access to the development via the Mitchell Highway.
A petition for the Mitchell Highway to be used as the main entry and exit point instead of Peel Place received 148 signatures earlier in the year.
Councillor Greg Mohr said Yarrawonga residents were concerned not only about access during the construction, but also once it had been established.
“The traffic report that we have dates back to 1991, so 24 years ago. A lot has happened in 24 years,” Cr Mohr said.
He said by having a review there would be a full and frank report, which the Yarrawonga residents have asked for, outlining the reasons the highway could or could not be used.
Yarrawonga resident Kylie Perkins said the review was a good win.
“We were never against the development, we were always against the access and the look of low-grade housing,” she said.
“Going off the highway would be more direct for the ambulance services, if there was ever a fire the firemen could get in there.”
Council also voted to make representations to Dubbo state MP Troy Grant and Roads Minister Duncan Gay regarding the issue.
Ms Perkins said she had already contacted Mr Grant’s office to assist with the residents’ campaign.
“We need to get help from higher up,” she said.
“We have to fight for what’s right and fight for our community.”
Council’s director environmental services Melissa Watkins said this was the first time since she had been at council the RMS had been asked to review its position.
She said currently the application did not propose highway access so there would be no legal requirement for the RMS to provide a traffic review to council.