Councillors vote to progress plans for Oxley Beach ocean pool

PLANS for an ocean pool at the northern end of Oxley Beach will progress to the NSW Government for a gateway determination.

At their monthly meeting on Thursday 21 May, Port Macquarie Hastings Council voted 5-2 in favour of the pool proposal advancing to the next stage of the statutory planning process.

A Council statement following the meeting stressed that this does not represent approval of the project, nor does it commit Council to future funding, ownership, operational responsibility or ongoing maintenance of the facility.

Council staff had recommended that the Ocean Pool Committee’s request for additional permitted use of the beach under the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Environmental Plan 2011 (LEP) not proceed, on the grounds that it did not demonstrate “sufficient strategic and site-specific merit”.

However, Mayor Adam Roberts and councillors Maltman, Kirkman, Hornshaw and Tubman voted for it to proceed to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

Deputy Mayor Nik Lipovac and Councillor Lauren Edwards voted against it proceeding.

In a statement, Council said, “This is a formal step in the NSW planning pathway process, which determines whether the proposal can proceed to public exhibition and further assessment.

“As part of this process, the DPHI will be asked to consult with Crown Lands with respect to unresolved Native Title and Aboriginal Land Claim proceedings, to determine whether this impacts progression of the Planning Proposal.”

While acknowledging the level of community interest and support, Mayor Adam Roberts noted that the project remains in the early stages of the planning process with further technical assessment and public consultation still required.

“Should the NSW Government issue a Gateway Determination, Council would then undertake a formal public exhibition process in accordance with any conditions issued by the Department, including consultation with relevant government agencies, stakeholders and the broader community,” he said.

Council also resolved to request that DPHI remain the planning authority for determining the proposal due to Council’s potential future ownership and financial involvement in the project.

“If supported by DPHI, the request would mean that the final decision on amending the LEP at the end of the process would be made by the NSW Minister for Planning, Housing and Infrastructure or a delegated representative.

By Sue STEPHENSON