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A 215 lot housing application sparked impassioned debate at the last council meeting. Wollondilly councillors were divided over what consequences the development would have on the town and questioned the state government’s commitment to providing adequate infrastructure to cope with growth. All councillors except Hilton Gibbs and Lou Amato, who left the meeting due to a conflict of interest, spoke on whether the application should progress to the community consultation stage. Cr Hannan suggested if councillors were to support the application then the state government would need to consider making a master plan of Macarthur South, upgrade Appin Road to dual lanes all the way from Rosemeadow, upgrade the school and make plans for a proposed high school and supply a public transport plan. “Appin does not have adequate transport, roads or education. These are state issues and it was time the state government did better,” Cr Hannan said. She said she was trying to get these upgrades delivered. “I am trying to force the state government to do something for schools, for Appin Road before more people die and to get more than two buses,” she said. Councillors Simon Landow, Hilton Gibbs and Col Mitchell supported her attempt at pressuring the state government to provide infrastructure. The mayor said he supported the proposal because of the money Walker Corporation offered to spend on the town. Cr Terry disagreed with Cr Hannan’s approach and suggested Wollondilly Council ask the state government to reject the housing application. “The extra burden that 215 lots is going to place on a village that already has problems is enormous,” Cr Terry said. “I want to knock this proposal on the head once and for all. We need to take a breath and deal with the current stresses.” She was supported by councillors Ray Law, Michael Banasik and Benn Banasik. Michael Banasik said he did not believe more housing was needed in Appin. “I won’t support the proposal until there are upgrades to the town and road,” he said. “In my view people of Appin do not want the development.” Benn Banasik agreed the issues in the town would be exacerbated if more houses were built. “There are issues with the roads and water pressure and if you add 200 odd blocks then these issues will be compounded,” he said. “Infrastructure isn’t built until the last block of a development is completed. Let’s see the infrastructure go in first.” The mayor used his casting vote to send the application for consideration to the minister for planning. However, the decision was rescinded on Wednesday by certain councillors which means the application will go back to the council for another vote next month. Walker Corporation’s executive planner Gerry Beasley said councillors saw the proposal had merit and was disappointed by the rescission motion. “We are disappointed to be going back before the council for further debate, as if adopted, this rescission motion would prevent the community from providing feedback on this new proposal, whether good or critical,” he said. “We support the opportunity for consultation with the broader community so we can address questions they have.”

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