Kangaroo Bay outrage

Opponents protest against development before vote

CLARENCE residents have made a show of force ahead of a council meeting on the future of the Kangaroo Bay development.

About 80 locals protested outside Clarence City Council chambers last night, chanting “save Kangaroo Bay” as aldermen walked in before a vote on a second development application for the controversial project.

The $50 million development of a hotel and hospitality training school by multibilliondollar Chinese petrochemical company Shandong Chambroad and Robert MorrisNunn’s Hunter Developments was approved by the council in January.

But a second application has been put forward to address concerns raised by residents. Local Dennis Keats said he believed the development was inappropriate.

“It’s ugly, too high, too close to the road, and takes away the general ambience and view of the bay,” he said.

“My sign says ‘ community betrayed,’ because I think we were.”

Resident Sachie Yasuda said her concerns were about the process.

“It’s really heartening to see so many members of the community prepared to come out and hold their elected members to account and put them on notice,” she said.

“Council elections are next year and I say get ready because there’s going to be a fight.”

Planning consultant Kate Loveday, who spoke on behalf of the proponents, urged aldermen to pass the new plans.

She said the permit for the original proposal remained valid, so if the new proposal was rejected the proponent would be forced to build the more controversial design.

“I’m simply saying the permit exists for a larger building, with less landscaping, less public use and less pedestrian access,” Ms Loveday said.

“This proposal is a response to improve all of those things.

“If the decision of council is to refuse this building then the bigger building will be built.”

Aldermen approved the development application, with only Alderman Richard James voting against.