Wagga council to ditch Lloyd development restriction

The ratio demands all new homes built in Lloyd have only 20 per cent permeable area – channelling rain into the storm-water system.

Planning director Andrew Crakanthorp said the ratio was adopted in 2010 to reduce the impact of water run-off inflaming the city’s salinity issues.

The ratio will now be reduced to 65-35.

On Tuesday, council voted to begin the process which could take up to five months.

Councillor Julian McLaren – who put forward the motion – said it would see an increase in development and a reduction in costs for building homes.

Despite the reduction in the ratio, Cr McLaren said it would still mitigate the risk of water-run off leading to an increase in salinity.