from Maitland Mercury 27.6.11 Briony Sneddon
Swift Judgement Expected on $1.8bn Huntlee Development
Residents who launched a challenge in the Land and Environment Court against the controversial $1.8bn Huntlee development near Branxton expect a speedy determination.
Sweetwater Action group Spokesperson and Cessnock Councillor Chris Parker said the group was optimistic about the outxome of court proceedings after a three day hearing wrapped up on Friday.
The decision could come as early as this week.
The group challenged the State Government’s state significant site ruling for the site, issued in December, as well as whether a voluntary planning agreement proposed by the developer, LWP Property Group, was binding.
‘We are more than satisfied with the way our case was presented and we’re optimistic about the outcome.’ Cr Parker said on Friday.
He said the magistrate hearing the matter seemed keen to determine the case as quickly as possible.
It is the second time the group has taken legal action against the development. The first challenge resulted in an out-of-court settlement in favour of the Sweetwater Action Group. The project was reborn last year, with the sit significant listing to enable the site near Branxton to be rezoned to make way for 7500 new dwellings, 200 heatares of employment land and 5612 hectares of conservation land.
