Interrupted views

" NIRAG president Alex Peterson at the boundary fence of the Weaver Terrace block of land at Sandon Point.

By Mick Roberts

THIS iconic view could be scarred for all time with Wollongong City Council's approval of a development application, according to a residents' group.

The Northern Illawarra Residents Action Group (NIRAG) claim Council's failure to enforce Land and Environment Court conditions for a development application (DA) for a two storey home at Sandon Point will interrupt one of the region's most beautiful coastal panoramas.

In 2000 a 14-lot subdivision off Hill St was the subject of a Land and Environment Court case to preserve the existing building line and majestic northern vistas from the Bulli street.

NIRAG spokesman Ross Deardon said the Land and Environment Court recognised the high visual significance of the views along the coast and required a block of land on the corner of Hill St and Weaver Terrace have a 5m eastern set-back to preserve the visual amenity of the area, he said.

Council's Environment and Planning Committee approval, on October 3, of 2 Weaver Terrace would disrupt the existing streetscape of homes on the west side of Hill St and was in contradiction to the court ruling, Mr Dearden said.

Ward Two and Labor Councillor Val Zanotto, who moved that the DA be approved, said the green light was given after careful consideration. He said the DA met all legal requirements. However, independent councillors have lodged a rescission motion in an effort to have the building's eastern alignment set at 5m.

Independent councillor Alice Cartan said the wording of the Land and Environment Court ruling was ambiguous and has been interpreted wrongly by Labor councillors.

"The wording wasn't clear, but its intention was," she said.

"The ruling was made to preserve the northern view from Hill St and maintain the existing street line," Cr Cartan said.

"I have all the sympathy for the owners of that site who want to get on and build their home. A 5m set-back would cause some inconvenience for them and mean a redesign of their house, but it's all about maintaining the existing integrity of the street line and the view to the north."

Cr Zanotto said the primary wall of the building was set-back the required 5m and the balcony would be set-back 3.25m from the eastern boundary fence.

"The applicant would have a good case to go to the Land and Environment Court if we rejected it this time and they would more then likely win," Cr

Zanotto said.

"Waiting 15 months for a decision on a home is ridiculous and a decision had to be made."

The rescission motion will be heard at Council's full meeting on Monday.