Leeton Shire Council has endorsed a Planning Proposal to rezone Council owned land at 3-9 Brobenah Road to support future medium density housing, while committing to deliver a new dog park before any development occurs.
At its February Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to amend the Leeton Local Environmental Plan 2014 to rezone the site from R1 General Residential to R3 Medium Density Residential and apply a 300 square metre minimum lot size. The proposal will now be forwarded to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for finalisation.
The rezoning will allow for smaller Torrens Title lots in a central location close to the hospital, schools, TAFE, shops and open space.
The proposal and meeting drew strong community interest, with a full public gallery in attendance. Ms Karen Bradley addressed Council, advising she was not opposed to housing on the site but sought a clear commitment that a new, fully operational and fit-for-purpose dog park be delivered before the existing off leash area is closed, with meaningful community input into its location and design.
Cr Tynan moved the motion, seconded by Cr Edwards, adding to the staff recommendation that Council commit to having a new dog park operational before any development proceeds, following engagement with dog park users. The motion was carried unanimously.
Mayor Cr George Weston welcomed the outcome, stating, "This Council and previous Councils have always backed the dog park as stated in the Delivery Program," Cr Weston said.
"We will bring together a group of users and stakeholders to have input into the location and design so we get it right."
Cr Weston said the Brobenah Road site remains well suited to medium density housing and forms part of Council's broader response to housing demand.
"We need more diverse housing options in Leeton, particularly for smaller households, key workers and retirees," he said.
Any future housing development on the site will be subject to Council successfully securing external grant funding for enabling infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, streetlights, etc).
Council will continue to update the community as the housing project progresses and planning and engagement begins for the new off leash facility.
