TURVEY Park residents are in a do-or-die bid to halt a new development they say will lead to the destruction of the suburb’s character.
The development, located at 34 Lindsay Street, was knocked back by city councillors last week, but residents fear it could be approved when it returns to Monday’s ordinary meeting.
Lindsay Street’s Paul Wright said residents were never going to let the medium density development go unchallenged.
“We’ve given it our best shot,” he said of a suburb-wide campaign.
“It has so much scope to completely change the character of the area. It won’t happen in the short term, but we’re thinking 20 to 30 years down the track. What would happen if Turvey Park changed from normal housing to medium density?”
Lindsay Street residents would no doubt be looking to a series of Kincaid Street units that councillors approved in defiance of neighbours’ wishes last year.
They hope their argument – that three proposed units on a 1000 square-metre block is too many – sways councillors.
They have also held up arguments that the development would create traffic issues, off-street parking is insufficient and removal of mature trees is against the interest of the suburb.
At last week’s meeting, councillors Yvonne Braid, Alan Brown, Paul Funnell, Kevin Poynter, Dallas Tout and Garry Hiscock voted against the development. Councillors Rod Kendall, Greg Conkey, Julian McLaren and Kerry Pascoe were in favour. Councillor Andrew Negline was absent.
Wagga mayor Rod Kendall, who holds the deciding vote should councillors be deadlocked, is unlikely to change his mind. On Sunday, Cr Kendall said a growing city such as Wagga would need to build up – not out.
“Every application is considered on its merits, but intensification of existing suburbs is something every growing city is grappling with,” he said. “It’s part of the argument that we don’t let the city spread and use up the agricultural land.”
The Advertiser attempted to contact the developer, Comari Pty Ltd, but was unsuccessful.
