REQUEST: Cr Greg Best.
A PROPOSAL to build 251 manufactured homes at Halekulani will be determined by a full meeting of Wyong Shire councillors.
The applicant and land owners, the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, proposes two sites for the development in an area of coastal forest on the edge of Lake Munmorah, in MacLeay Drive.
The development would provide affordable housing and tourist accommodation.
Councillor Greg Best formally requested that determination rest with councillors, and that the current exhibition period, due to expire on August 6, be extended.
"I believe some residents may see this application as potentially a matter of concern," Cr Best said.
"And I want to ensure that we treat the application on its merits, intelligently, without fear or favour, with due diligence, and openly, not behind closed doors," he said.
Under the Wyong Local Environmental Plan 1991, the application is defined as a caravan park development which is permitted within the zone.
The site is surrounded to the north and south by established manufactured home estates.
A council spokesperson said that although letters had been sent to nearby property owners advising of the exhibition period to August 6, it has since been discovered that not all affected properties were identified in respect to the application.
"Affected property owners will now receive a second letter, advising that a second exhibition period will occur for 30 days, to close on 27 August," the spokesperson said.
"This isn't an extension of the original public exhibition period, but a new exhibition of the same application."
The proposed development includes three lots along Macleay Drive which would be accessed by existing streets.
The northern site, which comprises a single lot, is proposed to include 67 home sites, including 12 short-term sites. The southern lot would include 184 long-term sites.
The proposal is for a staged development with communal facilities, including a swimming pool and tennis court, which would be subject to separate development applications, the council spokesperson said.
