IN January 2009 virtually every resident in a secluded rural corner of Morisset noted for its gracious homes on large, quiet blocks, declared war on a proposal by Heritage College Lake Macquarie Inc to build a private school for up to 100 children from kindergarten to Year 12 in their midst.
In the early stages of their opposition campaign, the residents had even banded together to make an unsuccessful offer to buy the proposed school site in Ironbark Road, Morisset, to stop the Cooranbong-based Christadelphian school from becoming their neighbour.
On Monday and in line with council staff recommendations, a majority of Lake Macquarie City councillors voted against the $3 million proposal to relocate Heritage College from its Cooranbong campus to a 1.743-hectare site in Ironbark Road.
Several councillors said they believed the site was inappropriate as it was too small and would alter the rural character of the surrounding area.
A number of Ironbark Road residents, some of whom were in the council chamber with anti-proposal placards, claimed the site was not connected to sewerage, was in the middle of an ecological corridor, and would create noise and traffic.
Cr Anthony Birt, with the backing of a few other councillors, suggested that the application be deferred to give the proponents an opportunity to meet with council staff in an effort to address the remaining noise and visual concerns.
He cited a report to councillors that said the proponents had made recent amendments to their proposal.
He noted the report also recommended refusal.
Mayor Greg Piper and several other councillors, including Phillipa Parsons, Laurie Coghlan and Kay Fraser, said council staff had given the proponents every opportunity.
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