RESIDENTS of Sea Crest Estate at Flinders claim they have been left in the dark over the recent terracing of several adjoining properties affecting their quality of living and privacy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson has also called for a government inquiry.
The developers Peet Limited has said earthworks were undertaken to make it easier to build home sites on a steep hill, and more affordable for families.
The company says all works had full Shellharbour City Council approval.
Francis Road resident Sam Eagleton said they were in dispute over changes made without notification, as their homes backed on to these properties.
‘‘We have had many meetings with council and Peet. These meetings started well before completion of the properties and even before the road that the properties face was completed.
‘‘Our meetings were a waste of time, because they would stall and pass the responsibility to others and in the meantime they continued developing, regardless of our concerns.
‘‘Our major concern is privacy, but also water run-off, shading and the way the natural contours of the land have been altered so dramatically to cause this.’’
Fellow Francis Road resident Paul Flemming said residents were considering their options and land owners could be looking at tens of thousands of dollars in retaining wall bills.
‘‘At no stage has anyone notified us of the fill being put in place. We feel like we’re getting a bit of a runaround from council and the developers.’’
Peet CEO Brendan Gore said the company had offered residents in Stage 6 of Sea Crest free trees to help provide some natural screening, but the offer was refused.
‘‘Peet first became aware that some residents had concerns through council,’’ he said. ‘‘Peet went further by meeting with residents and, later, organising a community forum. Peet has offered to consider any reasonable, constructive proposal which might resolve this matter, appreciating that the lots above them on the hill have now been sold to new residents and removal of the earthworks is not possible.’’