Group To Consider Housing

Newcastle Herald

Thursday March 13, 2008

By JULIEANNE STRACHAN

FUTURE military operations at Williamtown will be considered by Defence Force personnel and Government representatives, who are now turning their attention to the compatibility of planned residential developments in the area.

The long-mooted Kings Hill development, which is expected to house about 10,000 people within the next 25 years, will be scrutinised by a new working group, comprised of state planning authorities, the Port Stephens Council and Defence departments.

NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor and Federal Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon jointly announced the working group yesterday.

"The operation of Williamtown RAAF base presents some unique challenges," Mr Fitzgibbon said. "Defence aircraft are unique in terms of flight patterns and volume levels."

Port Stephens Liberal MP and councillor Craig Baumann said the Kings Hill project had been on the cards for 10 years and the creation of another working group would most likely create more delays.

"How long can a development hang on for?" he said.

"If Frank Sartor wants tens of thousands of new residents to move to the Lower Hunter, he can't go around knocking off towns of about 5000 homes here and there."

Mr Sartor said the new communities had to be workable.

"We need to ensure we provide well planned and liveable communities to meet the growth needs of the region," he said.

"The group is expected to be formed this month and will be due to report back within three to six months."