23 February, 2007
The General Manager
Eurobodalla Shire Council
PO Box 99
MORUYA NSW 2537

DRAFT GREATER BATEMANS BAY STRUCTURE PLAN
and DRAFT NATURE COAST STYLE GUIDE

Our Association congratulates Council on the draft plan. Its objectives and visions are very much in keeping with sentiments expressed in the IRIS survey and by our members. Once again we would like to see rules in an LEP rather than guidelines which can be ignored.

However, the Plan still does not give adequate weight to likely climate change and its impacts. We hope to see much greater consideration of these impacts in the LEP since the Regional Strategy now requires it.

It would be very useful if the Structure Plans were set out in the same order as the Eurobodalla Urban Settlement Strategy so that it is easier to refer between the documents. Perhaps the relevant sections of the EUSS could be footnoted in the comparable parts of the Structure Plans.

Environmental Sustainability Principles should be the core of the Structure Plan. This is probably intended but sometimes the wording does not reflect it.

We think the Structure Plan should refer to the need to consider recycling water into the town supply. A site at Surf Beach would need to be earmarked for investigation for a treatment plant so that water could be pumped back into Deep Creek Dam.

Table 1.2 Why is there no maximum size for retail floor space in Mogo? This appears to allow a large retailer to establish there.

We were pleased to see (p 63) that setbacks will be "responsive to the 100 year planning time frame to address climate change." However, this does not always seem to be the case - the multi storey units at Wharf Rd are just one example.

Coastwatchers does not support a pedestrian bridge over Cullendulla Creek mainly because of the environmental conditions. The mangrove boardwalk near the Creek subsided and a bridge across the creek would be even more vulnerable. The proposal does not fit with the Plan of Management for the Nature Reserve and the implications of a marine sanctuary in Cullendulla Creek have not been considered.

Our members are pleased to see the intention to keep sporting facilities (p81) and hospitals (p 60 & 84) within settlement boundaries.

The generic proposal to have aged and affordable housing around shops does not always suit the specific location. For example the yet to be constructed shops at Blairs Rd, Long Beach where the topography is steep and much of the 400m radius is in the wetland.

The Wharf Road sites (Part B Section 14) are ignored except as scenic protection. They are not mentioned in zones or heights. If Council were really taking climate change into account these sites would be marked for acquisition for open space or at the very least residential development would be prohibited.

DRAFT NATURE COAST STYLE GUIDE
Coastwatchers appreciates the ideas presented in the Style Guide and would like to see them widely used. However, we can't see how Council can make people use them instead of their own preferences or the McMansion style project homes? If project home builders and local architects/ builders could be convinced to adopt the Style Guide then there would be more hope of the style being implemented.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. We look forward to a LEP that will ensure the EUSS, Structure Plans and Style Guide are brought to reality.

Jenny Edwards
Secretary