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A residential development application at the site of the old African Lion Safari at Silverdale was rejected at Monday night’s council meeting. The application for a staged subdivision of 79 lots was refused by councillors as it was deemed to be inappropriate for the area and “not in the public interest”. North Ward councillor Matt Gould said if the development, proposed by Hill View Property Development, was approved it would result in the “loss of the established low-density nature of the Silverdale township”. The application for 65 Marsh Road, Silverdale received 67 submissions during its public exhibition period, with many finding issues with possible traffic problems, a loss of the town’s rural character, the lack of proposed infrastructure and more. Cr Gould said the council was in a particularly “tricky” position with the application, as there was no enforceable ‘voluntary planning agreement’ for the developer to deliver the required infrastructure for a development of its proposed size. “We can’t have houses without infrastructure,” he said. Cr Gould also said the 450sqm minimum lot size indicated by the developer was made with the understanding the average lot size would be significantly larger – more in line with other Silverdale properties – however the application did not honour the “spirit of that understanding”. Councillor Simon Landow said the site had already been problematic, as prospective residents had purchased lots off the plan. “I think it’s a bit unethical to sell blocks without DA approval,” he said. “It’s very sad for possibly 79 families who bought off the plan.” Mayor Judith Hannan moved to have the matter deferred until the council resumed in February in an effort to postpone an expected court battle with the developers. “I have the same feelings as the other councillors about this site, but a deferral will give us more time up our sleeves before we get taken to court,” she said. However, her alternate motion was voted down and Cr Gould’s was supported.

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