Robertson residents have raised urgent concerns over the large scale development of Robertson Hotel on Fountaindale Road, following a deferral of the matter by the Joint Regional Planning Panel.
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The proposed refurbishment of the hotel was deferred to allow for additional information from the applicant and Wingecarribee Shire Council to be presented. The decision was made on April 20 after a public teleconference hearing on April 14.
Locals are worried about the impact the expansion would have on the environment and amenity of the area.
Residents Josephine Grieve, Janet Turner, Kate Wilson, Cheryl Pearse and Mark Pearse told the Southern Highland News they wanted another opportunity to have their concerns heard following the deferred decision. Mrs Pearse was one of the residents who spoke at the teleconference.
"We are worried that the over-development of the site will affect the endangered Robertson rainforest, will cause potential damage to the groundwater source, will cause traffic and parking issues and will degrade the heritage values of the building," she said.
"I worry that through the excavation they'll fracture the rock and the natural water springs underneath the ground will fall through the cracks in the rock and won't make it to the permanent spring fed creeks.
"That water is needed for residents, farmers, stock and endangered wildlife.
"It all goes down into Dharawal creek."
Robertson resident Kate Wilson said she was concerned over the traffic that the refurbishment would create.
"Buses don't fit down Fountaindale Road," she said.
"Our concern is that the top part of Fountaindale Road will become a service road, filled with garbage trucks, busses and people trying to walk in between large vehicles. The road is already small.
"They're proposing to put a turning lane there, and from my point of view, I don't think the road is wide enough for a turning lane. Even if they do squeeze a turning lane in, they would have to take away the bus stop where all the local kids catch the bus to school."
Janet Turner said the development would affect the amenity of the residents of Fountaindale Road.
"People will be able to look into the privacy of resident's homes from coaches and other service vehicles," she said.
Josephine Grieve said she was concerned over the destruction of the rainforest.
"It's precious and it's protected by federal legislation," she said.
"There's only a few remnants left on the east coast of Australia. It's under Clause 74 - natural resources, sensitivity and biodiversity to protect the critically endangered Robertson Basalt Rainforest.
Another sore point for Josephine was the brutalist architecture slated for the extension.
"It's completely out of context for the area," she said.
"I understand that there's an idea that when you are designing next to a heritage building you don't want to copy that but a 1970s brutalist design is not appropriate.
"There's no reason why they can't do something that is ecologically sympathetic and suitable to the amenity of the area."
Josephine said the residents just wanted another opportunity to speak to the panel and voice their views.
"We want the panel to really hear our concerns," she said.
The applicant, AEA Grand Hotel, has been instructed to submit a biodiversity development assessment report which includes a Rural Fire Service requirement for asset protection zones, an Aboriginal cultural heritage report, clarification regarding traffic management for external users and a staging plan for the development for the site.
AEA Grand Hotel had until yesterday, May 11, to submit the required document.
Wingecarribee Shire Council must confirm the current road categorisation and pavement standard on Fountaindale Road is adequate for the service delivery vehicles associated with the development, must clarify the contact of the site of the development within the Illawarra Escarpment Thin Green Line project and assess the additional information provided by the applicant.
If approved, the extension will add a four-story addition to the rear of the hotel to accommodate 46 new rooms, a function centre and basement car park.
Thirteen new eco-tourist cabins, seven new eco-tourist villas, a new swimming pool and leisure centre has also been included in the development.
A refurbishment of the worker's cottage into an artist studio, a new reception and new internal roads and pedestrian pathways has also been listed.
Formerly known as Ranelagh House and Fountaindale Grand Manor, the building was constructed in 1925 by prominent Southern Highland architect Alf Stephens and Sons.
The property has served as a hotel, a WRAAF base, a place of rest and recovery for returning soldiers post World War II, as a Franciscan Friary and seminary in 1947.
In the 1980s the property served to protect injured wildlife and in 1995 the film 'Babe' was filmed on the grounds of the Robertson Hotel.
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
