During the latest Nambucca Valley Council meeting, the Nambucca Environment Network, through Alan Manuel, sought an immediate halt to new intensive horticulture projects pending approval to amend the Nambucca Valley Local Environment Plan by NSW's Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully.
The council is currently awaiting a decision on this request. Manuel questioned the council's efforts in involving the public in the planning process and the feasibility of imposing a temporary moratorium on such developments. In response, Councillor David Jones proposed an investigation into the specifics of the planning proposal and the possibility of a temporary ban on development activities related to intensive horticulture.
Manuel also highlighted the issue of prolonged development application (DA) processing times, exemplified by a retirement village project affected by adjacent land sales to blueberry cultivators. Mayor Rhonda Hoban defended the council's DA processing record, noting their efficiency compared to neighboring regions and the state average.
Source: newsofthearea.com.au