Councillors discussed the development application from Hillside Properties Australia at the latest meeting of Bathurst Regional Council, despite a call from deputy mayor Graeme Hanger to defer the matter following concerns raised during public question time. 

The unit complex will front Havannah, Durham and Baillie streets, and the Macquarie River to the south-east.

It will comprise of eight two-bedroom units and 41 three-bedroom units. 

Councillor Ian North said a similar development for 69 units on the same site was approved by council in 2004, but did not eventuate.

He said “looking at design, looking at how Bathurst is growing, looking at the area down there”, there needed to be a good development utilising the site that would increase housing in the city.

”I personally believe this looks a good development and it would appear the developer is keen to make it a worthwhile development in the city,” Cr North said.

One of the issues raised in public question time by the National Trust was the development wouldn’t fit with the heritage of Bathurst’s CBD.

Councillor Monica Morse felt the development would feature single-storey dwellings like many of the streets around the CBD and not conflict with the streetscape.

“I think the developers here have done a great job of putting up something that will go with the Bathurst heritage and streetscape style,” she said.

Cr Morse also said the development would be “an asset” to the city’s aging population, which has a need for smaller, secure housing options where things like outdoor maintenance is taken care of.

One of the things councillor Warren Aubin liked about the development was the provision of private open space to every unit and a pool in the community building on the site.

“They are really catering for the people who are going down there to purchase and live,” he said.

Under the recommendations approved by council, demolition of the existing dwellings is not to occur until a construction certificate has been issued for the replacement buildings.

A photographic record of the dwelling at 48 Havannah Street needs to be completed and submitted to council prior to demolition.