Community group rejects Toolijooa plan

KATINA CURTIS

THE Gerroa Community Association says the proposed Toolijooa development makes a mockery of resident participation in planning processes.

Its members are also concerned that approval of the development could set a precedent for similar rural areas.

In the association's submission to the council, president James Doak wrote: "Our Association regards this proposal as an attempt to bypass the procedures and standards developed in the Kiama Community over the last few years."

"What is the use of a participative community planning process & if developers are to be allowed to slip through loopholes and negate the outcomes of the process?"

Developer Wygiren Pty Ltd has proposed to turn a site on Toolijooa Road into a 1040-block caravan park with associated facilities.

The GCA submission outlined eight specific objections to the proposal.

These included that it would be an inappropriate use of valuable agricultural land, that an increase in population would severely strain Gerroa and Gerringong's infrastructure and environmental concerns, particularly relating to the proposal for the development's sewerage to be treated on site.

Mr Doak said the association was also concerned about the development creating what he termed a single-demographic community.

"We think it's highly likely to create social problems and we think some of these social problems will be demonstrated in Gerroa," he said.

"If we put 3000 people down there in a ghetto, that's going to fall upon us and on Gerringong and on Shoalhaven Heads."

In the DA, the developers state that the majority of residents in the park would be aged over 55 years, with 54 per cent aged between 65 and 74 years.

They also state that 84 per cent of residents would be pensioners and 10 per cent self-funded retirees.

Residents of the Toolijooa Lifestyle Village would have long-term leases for the dwelling sites and would have to put an approved manufactured home on the site.

The council has received at least 323 submissions regarding the proposed development at Toolijooa, and a spokeswoman said all but three were in opposition.