A SEPP 5 application for a nine-unit development in Hurlingham Avenue, Burradoo, has stirred up local residents concerned about traffic management, waste disposal and sewerage.
Wingecarribee Shire Council received the development application on March 19, less than two weeks before the NSW Government gazetted the new Senior Living Policy on March 31 to replace SEPP 5.
Council's environment and planning director Ray Darney said the new policy was retrospective to February 18, which meant the Hurlingham Avenue application would be assessed under the new policy rather than SEPP 5.
But he said he did not believe the Senior Living Policy would change council's requirements significantly.
The SEPP 5 Hurlingham Avenue Action Group formed in response to the plansw and committee member Anne Johnson said they intend to fight the plan at every level.
The group met with Southern Highlands MP Peta Seaton yesterday to get some advice about the best way to oppose the development, which they said would affect their quality of life.
"Each of these units is a two story dwelling, so all the surrounding property is going to be overlooked," Dr Peter Heery said.
Neighbouring resident Henry Cairns voiced his concerns in even stronger terms.
"I moved here for the peace and quiet of the area," Mr Cairns said.
"If this happens, it will most likely force me out of my home."
The Land and Environment Court recently passed a nearby SEPP 5 development, and residents said their roads were not up to the additional pressure imposed by so many extra dwellings.
The Hurlingham Avenue proposal involves cars exiting from the development by making a right hand turn out of the driveway immediately after a sharp bend in the road.
Mr Darney said council had sent the applicant a letter of deferral until they had resolved 15 "significant issues".
"They will have to submit new plans to address these issues, so it certainly won't get to council before May," he said.
Ms Seaton also said it was unlikely council would get an exemption from the new policy until the new shire LEP was approved at state level.
Ms Seaton warned Hurlingham Avenue residents they would be hard pressed to stave off the looming development, given that it was a level block, close to public transport and apparently adequately supported by health services.
"It's hard to argue that we are remote from those resources here, but that doesn't mean those resources can cope," she said.
Dr Heery said residents were concerned that if the application were approved, it would set a precedent for more medium-density developments in Burradoo.
"If this passes, it is open slather," Ms Seaton said.
She criticised the Government's new Senior Living Policy, saying the only improvement it offered on the SEPP 5 provisions was legal protection to ensure the housing remained in the hands of over-55s.
"There are now more rules, but there are still all sorts of loopholes," Ms Seaton said.
She said the provisions of the new Senior Living Policy still did not provide adequate protection for areas like Burradoo.
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