Local business claims Council LEP could 'wipe out' millions - The Young Witness

A representative from Causmag International in Young has addressed Hilltops Council over its proposed Local Environmental Plan (LEP). At the ordinary meeting held last week three speakers spoke out against the proposed LEP with concerns over zoning issues that would affect their business and the local community. Representing Causmag International and employed at the site in Young, Mr Adita said that unless the LEP was reconsidered the proposed zoning for the business would see it 'wipe out' millions of dollars from the region. "We note that after having considered our zoning for over 8 years Council is now ready to send the LEP to the state Government for approval, however, within the LEP is the proposed rezoning of our land," Adita said. "That rezoning will most likely wipe out millions of dollars every year of economic contribution to the economy of Hilltops Council." Causmag directors are urging Council to zone the land as industrial to ensure the security of a business that has been running for over 60 years. "Today we urge you to zone our land as industrial and complete a process which has been pending since before 2010," Adita said. "In April of that year all nine councillors voted to prevent any rezoning impact on Causmag by maintaining and not changing any zoning. "That decision was taken by the councillors specifically to keep Causmag open and not shut down a business operating for over six decades." Grove Estate chartered accountant Sophie Furnan and locals Anne and Nathan Barton asked council to reconsider the RU4 24 hectare blocks to a smaller size of two hectare blocks as the proposed size would affect businesses and individuals. "We need to meet demand in Young to keep housing affordable," Ms Furnan said. "Smaller two hectare blocks would be a foundation for future growth. The current zoning of the property neutralises the potential of this land." Nathan and Anne Barton argued that the proposed LEP does not meet its goal. "The aim of the new LEP, according to Council, is to harmonise the three existing LEPs and to provide, and I quote, 'consistent planning controls across the whole of the Hilltops Region including zone use permissibility,'" Mr Barton said. "We maintain this has not been achieved and the current irritation of the LEP should therefore not be supported by the elected Councillors." The Barton's gave the example that there isn't consistency in the zone areas. "The RU 4 zones around Young have a common situation where on one side of the road you can have 12 dwellings on 24 hectares of land, however, on the other side of the road on the same amount of land with the same soil mapping, the same road access, the same services, you can have just one dwelling," Mr Barton said. "These conditions do not result in consistent planning controls and zone use permissibility, they result in land use conflicts and land that is not being efficiently used. "We maintain as we have done through the entire consultation process that there needs to be a rethink of the RU4 zones so that each and every piece of land in this zone can be put to its most productive use." Later in the meeting Council voted to defer the matter until the August meeting. HAVE YOUR SAY: Let us know what you think.

A representative from Causmag International in Young has addressed Hilltops Council over its proposed Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

Insert left - Adita from Causmag (pictured). Insert right - Sophie Furnan from Grove Estate.

At the ordinary meeting held last week three speakers spoke out against the proposed LEP with concerns over zoning issues that would affect their business and the local community.

Representing Causmag International and employed at the site in Young, Mr Adita said that unless the LEP was reconsidered the proposed zoning for the business would see it 'wipe out' millions of dollars from the region.

"We note that after having considered our zoning for over 8 years Council is now ready to send the LEP to the state Government for approval, however, within the LEP is the proposed rezoning of our land," Adita said.

"That rezoning will most likely wipe out millions of dollars every year of economic contribution to the economy of Hilltops Council."

Causmag directors are urging Council to zone the land as industrial to ensure the security of a business that has been running for over 60 years.

"Today we urge you to zone our land as industrial and complete a process which has been pending since before 2010," Adita said.

"In April of that year all nine councillors voted to prevent any rezoning impact on Causmag by maintaining and not changing any zoning.

"That decision was taken by the councillors specifically to keep Causmag open and not shut down a business operating for over six decades."

Grove Estate chartered accountant Sophie Furnan and locals Anne and Nathan Barton asked council to reconsider the RU4 24 hectare blocks to a smaller size of two hectare blocks as the proposed size would affect businesses and individuals.

"We need to meet demand in Young to keep housing affordable," Ms Furnan said.

"Smaller two hectare blocks would be a foundation for future growth. The current zoning of the property neutralises the potential of this land."

Nathan and Anne Barton argued that the proposed LEP does not meet its goal.

"The aim of the new LEP, according to Council, is to harmonise the three existing LEPs and to provide, and I quote, 'consistent planning controls across the whole of the Hilltops Region including zone use permissibility,'" Mr Barton said.

"We maintain this has not been achieved and the current irritation of the LEP should therefore not be supported by the elected Councillors."

The Barton's gave the example that there isn't consistency in the zone areas.

"The RU 4 zones around Young have a common situation where on one side of the road you can have 12 dwellings on 24 hectares of land, however, on the other side of the road on the same amount of land with the same soil mapping, the same road access, the same services, you can have just one dwelling," Mr Barton said.

"These conditions do not result in consistent planning controls and zone use permissibility, they result in land use conflicts and land that is not being efficiently used.

"We maintain as we have done through the entire consultation process that there needs to be a rethink of the RU4 zones so that each and every piece of land in this zone can be put to its most productive use."

Later in the meeting Council voted to defer the matter until the August meeting.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Let us know what you think.

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Local business claims Council LEP could 'wipe out' millions - The Young Witness
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