March 20, 2025 • 18 mins
Residents of Muswellbrook’s sought after Ironbark Ridge have spent years enjoying the tranquility of their semi rural sized blocks. This is now in jeopardy but the latest stage of the housing estate with a developer proposing a stack of new housing including duplex style properties.
The residents took their fight to Muswellbrook Shire Council who have now deferred a decision.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
My iHeart aber Hunter.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
I was told at the time it was Buffer's own.
It was zoned for Buffer's own for the mines, and
the estate would never that area would never be built on.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
I'm Darren KATRUPI In this episode some Musclebrook residents versus
a property developer. The developer is proposing a thirty three
lot subdivision including the construction of seventy six multi dwelling
gplexes in the next stage of the popular einbach Ridge estate.
Impacted residents filled the public gallery at the last Musselebrook
(00:35):
Shire Council meeting to strongly object to the proposal. At Fernon,
representing the developer, address the meeting to make a pitch.
He focused on what he said would be the benefits
for the town.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
This really started as an idea.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
We've been developers, we were property owners, We've got a
lot of business in Musclebrook come currently and really what
this was about is identifying the number of fly in
flyout workers coming to Musterbrook, the fact that the population
of Musterbrook only increased by three hundred and fifty two
(01:11):
in the last census period. But with Musterbrook Council really
taking the brunch of all these people that are flying in,
flying out, and that they weren't spending their disposable income,
they weren't living in the local area, and they weren't
in many instances adding benefit to the local community. So
what started as an idea two years ago from a
(01:32):
number of people today where we've created a move to
Musterbrook campaign, it's really this and in terms of the development,
this is really about working with and we're proud to
say that we've signed on many of the minds in
this to encourage their workers to move to Musterbrook, to
bring their families to live in the area, to send
(01:55):
their kids to the local schools, and to build the community.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
So we've created this Move to Musterbrook campaign.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
That website is live now but we've still got to
update that with new information as it comes in.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
But it's really around three things.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
It's about live, work and own live in really showcasing.
We've applied a destination marketing campaign to this, so live
showcasing Musterbrook, the great schools, the cafes, the local businesses,
and really showcasing and trying to get those people living
in Western Sydney and other areas Newcastle to come and
(02:30):
move to Musterbrook and the great lifestyle they can have
in terms of work, putting together and partnering with the
minds and others in terms of the jobs that are
available in the area, so having those job vacancies.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Available and then own.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
We'll be offering one hundred percent financing through their employers
for encouraging people to move to Musterbrook, as well as
salary packaging so that they can create it can be
tax deductible for their purchase. So there's been certainly a
lot of work and we've very much appreciated and we've
(03:05):
taken on board a lot of the feedback the community.
The community feedback, a lot of the submissions and we've
worked a lot with the planners to mitigate those any
potential impact on the adjoining properties.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
But really this is.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
About looking at Masterbrook as an area, how we're going
to build the town, how we're going to build the community,
and creating a legacy for the area, and that's what
this development has been, particularly about creating amenity through walking trails.
We took on board the fact that there was not
enough childcare. We've put childcare into the development. We've got
(03:41):
a proposed cafe precinct. There significant walking trails, bike trails
to make it a highly livable location. But at the
end of the day, what we're most passionate about is
trying to build the town and creating a legacy.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
After the meeting, I spoke with many of those who
are tended to find out why they objected to the
proposal in a time where the Upper Hunter is experiencing
a housing crisis.
Speaker 5 (04:07):
My name's Karleen. I live in I'm bark Ridge Estate
and I totally object to high density housing going in
behind my place. I bought it because it was farmland.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
What does this proposal do to your outlook and what
you were sold at the time.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
It changes everything because I bought my place because I
look out on pretty much trees, cattle, a dam, yeah, countryside,
because I live up on a hill. Once that development
goes ahead, all I will look at is roofs, house roofs,
and more house roofs. But in the meantime dust blows
(04:42):
uphill when it's windy. While that development application goes ahead,
my house will be horrific for years.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah, what about duplexes as well? Not just houses?
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Oh well, that doesn't even be thinking about because our
state is all big land. It's big blocks so that
we we can have peace, so we can have space,
we don't have to see neighbors. Yeah, no, it's terrible.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
What does it do to your attitude about Muscle Book
You were just saying something earlier.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
Look, it does change the way I feel about the
whole thing. I bought my block because I intended to
grow old here and look out over those farms. It
is designed to attract people to town. But for the
people that already live there, it's making us think whether
that's even the answer for where we want to be,
because that was never what we bought our houses there for.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
And did you have concerns about I suppose what those
small duplexes in size would actually end up being as
opposed to fly and fly out worker accommodation.
Speaker 5 (05:40):
Oh yeah, well that's what they're selling it as fly
and fly out accommodation. But the minds are scaling back.
So at the end of the day, duplexes are going
to attract an element of people that may necessarily not
be the best people to have in Musclebrook. It will
be affordable housing and that'll be the only reason that
they come here to live in those buildings.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
So you've just started a business in town, you're mentioning
about housing. So this proposed development has many properties, but
from your professional perspective, what's the situation as far as
houses to buy here?
Speaker 6 (06:17):
So I've started a business and I am doing a
bit of new residential area, and I found that houses
are still being built, but they're not being sold. So
people are buying lots. What the real estate companies are
getting lots and they're not selling, so nobody's moving into them.
So they're vacant blocks for months, weeks, years on end,
(06:37):
and then there's no actual person moving into them, and
it's creating an environment where they're saying there's needing more houses,
but no one's buying the houses that are already here.
Speaker 7 (06:47):
Stephen Vine, when we originally bought we weren't told of
any development at the back. It was only when I
spoke to New York over there. He asked me if
we knew what was going on, and they never knew
anything about it.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
And what about is the proposal acceptable under any circumstances
if they make all the changes?
Speaker 8 (07:09):
No? Should we just left the way it is? Okay,
that's what we bought it for still to come. More
residents voice their concerns about the proposed development and what
did the council decide to do.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
I heart Apper Hunter, I heart Apper Hunter. Welcome back.
I'm Darren Katrubi with more reactions from Eine bark Ridge
residents who say they brought their properties because they were
assured they would never be built out and could maintain
the rural amenity. They were first attracted to.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Name Bob when I bought my block. Actually I was
the first one to buy a block in stage two
the camp day a night along with about twenty other
people to get them. So anyhow, when we got there
to the red there's two real stage Tony McTaggart and
Sandy Auburn Warburton. They were there and I was told
(08:05):
by attaining me Tagger that the blocks. I asked the question,
what's the plan with the all bush land out the
back of Airplace? And I was told at the time
it was Buffer's own. It was zoned for Buffer's own
for the mines, and the estate would never that area
would never be built on. And I know I also
(08:26):
spoke to Missus Webber who was the landowner, because they
come up one time because a cow was crooked down
the back and I rang them and told him, and
she come up and I told her, and I asked
her what the game was. She told me the same thing. Anyhow,
all of a sudden it's sold and it's this bloke
comes along one to check a thousand blocks on there
(08:47):
or whatever, and that's not acceptable.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
A devil's advocate. Did they give you that in writing?
I don't believe.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
So I'd have to look through my records. I don't
think so. It was a a lot was a question
and a comment verbally, but I don't believe. But I'd
have to have a look. I've got a lot of
the old stuff there. I can go back through it
and have a look bit like the original land sort
of sale documents and all that sort of thing. But
(09:18):
the thing is that higentity living there is it's not
suitable in that area. Everyone's got acre blocks plus acre
plus blocks in that subdivision as it is now all
beautiful looking houses and spent a lot of money. A
lot of people are retired there, like they have retired there,
and then someone comes along and wants to jam a
(09:39):
heap of blocks in there and make a quick quid
and run and leave us to pick up with put
up with the rest of it for ever a day.
It's not acceptable, and especially that high density rubbish. You know,
it's not on and it shouldn't be even tolerated. I
think the counselors seemed a bit sympathetic to the cause
(09:59):
in there, because it is a sensible thing that they
shouldn't be putting that or they're getting.
Speaker 9 (10:04):
Rid of it.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Are you happy that they've deferred the decision to go
back to the developer and try and work for issues.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Yeah, I'm happy for that. Well, obviously it's better than
the other option, you know, but it depends on what
comes of it, I suppose again, but we'll fight it
again regardless if it's not suitable for people's like and
we'll go again. We'll fight it again. And well, body
(10:32):
lobby the counselors because you know, these elections come up
and if they are not sort of helping us, well
obviously there'll be people voting against them. They won't be
getting evade.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Are you concerned that the pitch tonight? Certainly when the
fly and fly out work, as we mentioned that this
is almost from a developer's perspective, are a bit of
a quick gratification.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Yeah, obviously more people aren't getting into all area, the
more money they get, you know. And the thing is
like for the blocks, sales of blocks and all the
rest of it. And then obviously the council prospers with
all the rates and all the rest. It's an one thing.
Everywhere prospers. But the poor old people that are there,
(11:18):
they've got to put up with bloody what happens, you know,
and it's not acceptable. You know, We're got a nice
rural area as is now and we know that destroyed,
you know, if we can help it.
Speaker 10 (11:30):
Mon Spruce, I'm an out line Bark resident as well.
The development of that land probably needs to happen because
if you look around the town, there's nowhere else you
can really go. There's mines, there's river flats, floodplains, all
that sort of thing. But the amenity of the area
would really benefit and something to make Muscles different and
a place for people want to live in would be
(11:52):
more one acrep blocks because the ironbarke bridge is very
popular and it sells well. And I think if we
can get more people and the similar sorts of housing
and that kind of development, it's going to make the
town a better place to live, a desirable place to live,
(12:13):
and it's going to really improve the town overall. And
there's plenty of people that yes, they come out of
Sydney in those places because they can become instant millionaires
down there and they can afford to buy and build
up this way, and we encourage it. We'd like to
see the town grow. Some of the things about the
transport and stuff they talked about with roads and how
(12:34):
they're managed. We were told verbally again about the same
time about there was buffer zones for the mines and
that sort of thing. Nothing ever in writing that I
can recall. I was told once by the developer of
stage two where we are that that wouldn't be a
corner block at the end of the street, that that
(12:55):
was going to Ironbot Road would continue through and up
on top of the hill. But as it turns out,
it will be a corner block as part of this development,
which changes the aspect for some people that live in
that end of the street. So all four more one
acre blocks, it'll be fantastic thing for the town, and
I think most of the residents in the area would
(13:17):
be happy with that. As a compromise yeah for sure.
But high density housing, this duplex arrangement, it's just calling
for the wrong sort of amenity for the town. I
don't think it fits in our area.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
So you spoke tonight. Can you say your name? First
of all?
Speaker 11 (13:35):
Are Neil?
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Neil? You mentioned you had a few concerns, the main
one being the duplexes of memory sos.
Speaker 11 (13:44):
Right, Yeah, that's right. So I'm consistent with what others
have said tonight around just mirroring the estate that's there
at the moment. So I don't think there's a place
for high density living beside an acreage estate. So there's five, six,
seven stages in Ironbark Ridge. It's an acreage estate. It's
quite unique in this area and the Hunter area, and
(14:04):
the fact that a rural or state is so close
to the center of town and you're only three minutes
from the shop, Continuing that theme in that area is
very important. So putting high density living, which is complete
contrast to the surrounding area is not the right thing
to do. So there are other areas in Musclebrook where
they could be building you know, small blocks, high density living, townhouses,
(14:27):
et cetera, not right next door to an ACREAGEO.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Can you say your name for Jenny? Thank you, Jenny.
Speaker 12 (14:32):
I live in Ironbach Road. Okay. Firstly, I appreciate the
fact that Council has recognized that there is a lot
of concern about the development. This is not the first
development application for that area of lander Hunter. Several years
ago there was another application put forward and there was
(14:53):
strong opposition from what was a much smaller ironbark Ridge community,
very strong opposition to it, and it actually didn't proceed
and the owners of that land sold to the current developers.
I would like to think that all counselors have the
(15:16):
opportunity to read all of the submissions, not just from now,
but from the couple of years ago. You know we're talking,
I know, we're talking a lot of paperwork, but the
fact that so many people were concerned and again that's
happened and due to short the short notice that we
(15:38):
received regarding tonight's meeting, a lot of people concerned are
on night shift, they are shift workers, they are unable
to come tonight. I think if council can look at
all the submissions, go back, go through our concerns, then
approach the developers, have their discussions with the developers and
(15:59):
hopefully a resolution will come that will be favorable to everybody.
Those blocks of land were bought in good faith being
a rural aspect. We have never we are unable to
locate the original advertising that was done for the sale
(16:23):
of that Stage one and a lot of us saw it,
a lot of us read it. It definitely stated it
was rural aspect of living that will go once that
area at the back of Iron bark Ridge is built.
And you know, you have a whole range of makeup
of people in that area. You have everything from retirees
(16:47):
down to young families. You know, we ourselves can say
that we have us retired, but we have our children,
our grandchildren living in Iron bark Ridge and it's the
most beautiful subdivision. Now there's a threat to that subdivision.
As long as the changes are done with the concerns
(17:09):
of the public in mind, then you know, like Neil said,
development has to go ahead everywhere, but as long as
the development is taken taking into consideration the inhabitants that
are already there, and hopefully everything will be resolved in
a favorable way.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
In the end, master Brookshire Council deferred a decision to
allow further investigation of the residents' concerns. Mayor Jeff Drayton.
Speaker 9 (17:36):
That there was a lot of submissions, and a lot
of submissions tell you generally tells you a lot of
concern people that live in that area. So you know,
obviously when there's a lot of concern, our job is
to listen, make sure we listen, and I think tonight
we did. There is some genuine concern about the development,
particularly about the density, the amount of dual occupancies, and
we are this council is hugely supportive of development, into
(17:59):
him enormously supportive of development, but there needs to be
responsible development, and needs to be development that fits within
the area that it's occurring. So as well as a
responsible I'm sure it will be. I mean that tonight's
decision wasn't refusal. Tonight's decision was just a deferral. So
we can get back, we can talk further with the
talk further with the developer, arm with the applicant, and yeah,
(18:21):
hopefully move forward fairly quickly.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
We can all parties reach an outcome that everyone is
happy with or at least can live with. Time will tell.
That's a wrap on this episode of I Heart Upper
Hunter supported by the new South Wales government. I'm Darren
KATRUPI catch around. iHeart Upper Hunter.
My iHeart aber Hunter.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
I was told at the time it was Buffer's own.
It was zoned for Buffer's own for the mines, and
the estate would never that area would never be built on.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
I'm Darren KATRUPI In this episode some Musclebrook residents versus
a property developer. The developer is proposing a thirty three
lot subdivision including the construction of seventy six multi dwelling
gplexes in the next stage of the popular einbach Ridge estate.
Impacted residents filled the public gallery at the last Musselebrook
(00:35):
Shire Council meeting to strongly object to the proposal. At Fernon,
representing the developer, address the meeting to make a pitch.
He focused on what he said would be the benefits
for the town.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
This really started as an idea.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
We've been developers, we were property owners, We've got a
lot of business in Musclebrook come currently and really what
this was about is identifying the number of fly in
flyout workers coming to Musterbrook, the fact that the population
of Musterbrook only increased by three hundred and fifty two
(01:11):
in the last census period. But with Musterbrook Council really
taking the brunch of all these people that are flying in,
flying out, and that they weren't spending their disposable income,
they weren't living in the local area, and they weren't
in many instances adding benefit to the local community. So
what started as an idea two years ago from a
(01:32):
number of people today where we've created a move to
Musterbrook campaign, it's really this and in terms of the development,
this is really about working with and we're proud to
say that we've signed on many of the minds in
this to encourage their workers to move to Musterbrook, to
bring their families to live in the area, to send
(01:55):
their kids to the local schools, and to build the community.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
So we've created this Move to Musterbrook campaign.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
That website is live now but we've still got to
update that with new information as it comes in.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
But it's really around three things.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
It's about live, work and own live in really showcasing.
We've applied a destination marketing campaign to this, so live
showcasing Musterbrook, the great schools, the cafes, the local businesses,
and really showcasing and trying to get those people living
in Western Sydney and other areas Newcastle to come and
(02:30):
move to Musterbrook and the great lifestyle they can have
in terms of work, putting together and partnering with the
minds and others in terms of the jobs that are
available in the area, so having those job vacancies.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Available and then own.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
We'll be offering one hundred percent financing through their employers
for encouraging people to move to Musterbrook, as well as
salary packaging so that they can create it can be
tax deductible for their purchase. So there's been certainly a
lot of work and we've very much appreciated and we've
(03:05):
taken on board a lot of the feedback the community.
The community feedback, a lot of the submissions and we've
worked a lot with the planners to mitigate those any
potential impact on the adjoining properties.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
But really this is.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
About looking at Masterbrook as an area, how we're going
to build the town, how we're going to build the community,
and creating a legacy for the area, and that's what
this development has been, particularly about creating amenity through walking trails.
We took on board the fact that there was not
enough childcare. We've put childcare into the development. We've got
(03:41):
a proposed cafe precinct. There significant walking trails, bike trails
to make it a highly livable location. But at the
end of the day, what we're most passionate about is
trying to build the town and creating a legacy.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
After the meeting, I spoke with many of those who
are tended to find out why they objected to the
proposal in a time where the Upper Hunter is experiencing
a housing crisis.
Speaker 5 (04:07):
My name's Karleen. I live in I'm bark Ridge Estate
and I totally object to high density housing going in
behind my place. I bought it because it was farmland.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
What does this proposal do to your outlook and what
you were sold at the time.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
It changes everything because I bought my place because I
look out on pretty much trees, cattle, a dam, yeah, countryside,
because I live up on a hill. Once that development
goes ahead, all I will look at is roofs, house roofs,
and more house roofs. But in the meantime dust blows
(04:42):
uphill when it's windy. While that development application goes ahead,
my house will be horrific for years.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah, what about duplexes as well? Not just houses?
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Oh well, that doesn't even be thinking about because our
state is all big land. It's big blocks so that
we we can have peace, so we can have space,
we don't have to see neighbors. Yeah, no, it's terrible.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
What does it do to your attitude about Muscle Book
You were just saying something earlier.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
Look, it does change the way I feel about the
whole thing. I bought my block because I intended to
grow old here and look out over those farms. It
is designed to attract people to town. But for the
people that already live there, it's making us think whether
that's even the answer for where we want to be,
because that was never what we bought our houses there for.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
And did you have concerns about I suppose what those
small duplexes in size would actually end up being as
opposed to fly and fly out worker accommodation.
Speaker 5 (05:40):
Oh yeah, well that's what they're selling it as fly
and fly out accommodation. But the minds are scaling back.
So at the end of the day, duplexes are going
to attract an element of people that may necessarily not
be the best people to have in Musclebrook. It will
be affordable housing and that'll be the only reason that
they come here to live in those buildings.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
So you've just started a business in town, you're mentioning
about housing. So this proposed development has many properties, but
from your professional perspective, what's the situation as far as
houses to buy here?
Speaker 6 (06:17):
So I've started a business and I am doing a
bit of new residential area, and I found that houses
are still being built, but they're not being sold. So
people are buying lots. What the real estate companies are
getting lots and they're not selling, so nobody's moving into them.
So they're vacant blocks for months, weeks, years on end,
(06:37):
and then there's no actual person moving into them, and
it's creating an environment where they're saying there's needing more houses,
but no one's buying the houses that are already here.
Speaker 7 (06:47):
Stephen Vine, when we originally bought we weren't told of
any development at the back. It was only when I
spoke to New York over there. He asked me if
we knew what was going on, and they never knew
anything about it.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
And what about is the proposal acceptable under any circumstances
if they make all the changes?
Speaker 8 (07:09):
No? Should we just left the way it is? Okay,
that's what we bought it for still to come. More
residents voice their concerns about the proposed development and what
did the council decide to do.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
I heart Apper Hunter, I heart Apper Hunter. Welcome back.
I'm Darren Katrubi with more reactions from Eine bark Ridge
residents who say they brought their properties because they were
assured they would never be built out and could maintain
the rural amenity. They were first attracted to.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Name Bob when I bought my block. Actually I was
the first one to buy a block in stage two
the camp day a night along with about twenty other
people to get them. So anyhow, when we got there
to the red there's two real stage Tony McTaggart and
Sandy Auburn Warburton. They were there and I was told
(08:05):
by attaining me Tagger that the blocks. I asked the question,
what's the plan with the all bush land out the
back of Airplace? And I was told at the time
it was Buffer's own. It was zoned for Buffer's own
for the mines, and the estate would never that area
would never be built on. And I know I also
(08:26):
spoke to Missus Webber who was the landowner, because they
come up one time because a cow was crooked down
the back and I rang them and told him, and
she come up and I told her, and I asked
her what the game was. She told me the same thing. Anyhow,
all of a sudden it's sold and it's this bloke
comes along one to check a thousand blocks on there
(08:47):
or whatever, and that's not acceptable.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
A devil's advocate. Did they give you that in writing?
I don't believe.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
So I'd have to look through my records. I don't
think so. It was a a lot was a question
and a comment verbally, but I don't believe. But I'd
have to have a look. I've got a lot of
the old stuff there. I can go back through it
and have a look bit like the original land sort
of sale documents and all that sort of thing. But
(09:18):
the thing is that higentity living there is it's not
suitable in that area. Everyone's got acre blocks plus acre
plus blocks in that subdivision as it is now all
beautiful looking houses and spent a lot of money. A
lot of people are retired there, like they have retired there,
and then someone comes along and wants to jam a
(09:39):
heap of blocks in there and make a quick quid
and run and leave us to pick up with put
up with the rest of it for ever a day.
It's not acceptable, and especially that high density rubbish. You know,
it's not on and it shouldn't be even tolerated. I
think the counselors seemed a bit sympathetic to the cause
(09:59):
in there, because it is a sensible thing that they
shouldn't be putting that or they're getting.
Speaker 9 (10:04):
Rid of it.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Are you happy that they've deferred the decision to go
back to the developer and try and work for issues.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Yeah, I'm happy for that. Well, obviously it's better than
the other option, you know, but it depends on what
comes of it, I suppose again, but we'll fight it
again regardless if it's not suitable for people's like and
we'll go again. We'll fight it again. And well, body
(10:32):
lobby the counselors because you know, these elections come up
and if they are not sort of helping us, well
obviously there'll be people voting against them. They won't be
getting evade.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Are you concerned that the pitch tonight? Certainly when the
fly and fly out work, as we mentioned that this
is almost from a developer's perspective, are a bit of
a quick gratification.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Yeah, obviously more people aren't getting into all area, the
more money they get, you know. And the thing is
like for the blocks, sales of blocks and all the
rest of it. And then obviously the council prospers with
all the rates and all the rest. It's an one thing.
Everywhere prospers. But the poor old people that are there,
(11:18):
they've got to put up with bloody what happens, you know,
and it's not acceptable. You know, We're got a nice
rural area as is now and we know that destroyed,
you know, if we can help it.
Speaker 10 (11:30):
Mon Spruce, I'm an out line Bark resident as well.
The development of that land probably needs to happen because
if you look around the town, there's nowhere else you
can really go. There's mines, there's river flats, floodplains, all
that sort of thing. But the amenity of the area
would really benefit and something to make Muscles different and
a place for people want to live in would be
(11:52):
more one acrep blocks because the ironbarke bridge is very
popular and it sells well. And I think if we
can get more people and the similar sorts of housing
and that kind of development, it's going to make the
town a better place to live, a desirable place to live,
(12:13):
and it's going to really improve the town overall. And
there's plenty of people that yes, they come out of
Sydney in those places because they can become instant millionaires
down there and they can afford to buy and build
up this way, and we encourage it. We'd like to
see the town grow. Some of the things about the
transport and stuff they talked about with roads and how
(12:34):
they're managed. We were told verbally again about the same
time about there was buffer zones for the mines and
that sort of thing. Nothing ever in writing that I
can recall. I was told once by the developer of
stage two where we are that that wouldn't be a
corner block at the end of the street, that that
(12:55):
was going to Ironbot Road would continue through and up
on top of the hill. But as it turns out,
it will be a corner block as part of this development,
which changes the aspect for some people that live in
that end of the street. So all four more one
acre blocks, it'll be fantastic thing for the town, and
I think most of the residents in the area would
(13:17):
be happy with that. As a compromise yeah for sure.
But high density housing, this duplex arrangement, it's just calling
for the wrong sort of amenity for the town. I
don't think it fits in our area.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
So you spoke tonight. Can you say your name? First
of all?
Speaker 11 (13:35):
Are Neil?
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Neil? You mentioned you had a few concerns, the main
one being the duplexes of memory sos.
Speaker 11 (13:44):
Right, Yeah, that's right. So I'm consistent with what others
have said tonight around just mirroring the estate that's there
at the moment. So I don't think there's a place
for high density living beside an acreage estate. So there's five, six,
seven stages in Ironbark Ridge. It's an acreage estate. It's
quite unique in this area and the Hunter area, and
(14:04):
the fact that a rural or state is so close
to the center of town and you're only three minutes
from the shop, Continuing that theme in that area is
very important. So putting high density living, which is complete
contrast to the surrounding area is not the right thing
to do. So there are other areas in Musclebrook where
they could be building you know, small blocks, high density living, townhouses,
(14:27):
et cetera, not right next door to an ACREAGEO.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Can you say your name for Jenny? Thank you, Jenny.
Speaker 12 (14:32):
I live in Ironbach Road. Okay. Firstly, I appreciate the
fact that Council has recognized that there is a lot
of concern about the development. This is not the first
development application for that area of lander Hunter. Several years
ago there was another application put forward and there was
(14:53):
strong opposition from what was a much smaller ironbark Ridge community,
very strong opposition to it, and it actually didn't proceed
and the owners of that land sold to the current developers.
I would like to think that all counselors have the
(15:16):
opportunity to read all of the submissions, not just from now,
but from the couple of years ago. You know we're talking,
I know, we're talking a lot of paperwork, but the
fact that so many people were concerned and again that's
happened and due to short the short notice that we
(15:38):
received regarding tonight's meeting, a lot of people concerned are
on night shift, they are shift workers, they are unable
to come tonight. I think if council can look at
all the submissions, go back, go through our concerns, then
approach the developers, have their discussions with the developers and
(15:59):
hopefully a resolution will come that will be favorable to everybody.
Those blocks of land were bought in good faith being
a rural aspect. We have never we are unable to
locate the original advertising that was done for the sale
(16:23):
of that Stage one and a lot of us saw it,
a lot of us read it. It definitely stated it
was rural aspect of living that will go once that
area at the back of Iron bark Ridge is built.
And you know, you have a whole range of makeup
of people in that area. You have everything from retirees
(16:47):
down to young families. You know, we ourselves can say
that we have us retired, but we have our children,
our grandchildren living in Iron bark Ridge and it's the
most beautiful subdivision. Now there's a threat to that subdivision.
As long as the changes are done with the concerns
(17:09):
of the public in mind, then you know, like Neil said,
development has to go ahead everywhere, but as long as
the development is taken taking into consideration the inhabitants that
are already there, and hopefully everything will be resolved in
a favorable way.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
In the end, master Brookshire Council deferred a decision to
allow further investigation of the residents' concerns. Mayor Jeff Drayton.
Speaker 9 (17:36):
That there was a lot of submissions, and a lot
of submissions tell you generally tells you a lot of
concern people that live in that area. So you know,
obviously when there's a lot of concern, our job is
to listen, make sure we listen, and I think tonight
we did. There is some genuine concern about the development,
particularly about the density, the amount of dual occupancies, and
we are this council is hugely supportive of development, into
(17:59):
him enormously supportive of development, but there needs to be
responsible development, and needs to be development that fits within
the area that it's occurring. So as well as a
responsible I'm sure it will be. I mean that tonight's
decision wasn't refusal. Tonight's decision was just a deferral. So
we can get back, we can talk further with the
talk further with the developer, arm with the applicant, and yeah,
(18:21):
hopefully move forward fairly quickly.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
We can all parties reach an outcome that everyone is
happy with or at least can live with. Time will tell.
That's a wrap on this episode of I Heart Upper
Hunter supported by the new South Wales government. I'm Darren
KATRUPI catch around. iHeart Upper Hunter.
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