SENIOR Bathurst Regional Council staff have recommended concept plans for a massive redevelopment of the old Sheep and Cattle Drome be given the green light – almost two decades after previous plans for the site were approved.
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The new plans centre on a Wiradyuri Cultural and Educational Centre and almost 400-site caravan park to be developed over three stages, along with a proposal to finally complete an 18-hole golf course on the site.
A report to councillors by environmental, planning and building services director Neil Southorn recommends they approve the concept plans with a long list of conditions relating to height restrictions on buildings and landscape features; road and intersection upgrades; maximum stay periods for visitors; and bird strike reduction strategies for the safety of aircraft accessing Bathurst Airport.
The proposal has only been lodged as a “concept development application” at this stage, meaning more detailed plans and development applications will be required before each stage of the project commences.
While recommending approval, Mr Southorn’s report notes that the development will significantly alter the characteristics of the rural area, and says care must be taken to manage those challenges.
- VIDEO: Bird’s-eye view of the Heritage Park Bathurst Cultural Precinct
“The development represents a significant departure from the current rural locality, albeit there have historically been applications approved for similar type proposals,” the report states.
“Whilst some concern remains that a caravan park of this scale could not be supported in isolation this is somewhat negated by the fact it forms part of much larger tourist and cultural facilities. Without these additional facilities the caravan park elements could not be supported at the scale sought.
“There are undoubtedly impacts associated with the development which will need to be addressed and managed if the development is to achieve the ultimate development outlined in the concept plan.”
Mr Southorn also notes the development has the potential to impact on “large areas of land which to date have not been the subject of any detailed investigations from an Aboriginal heritage perspective”.
“The site contains areas previously identified as being of high, medium and low sensitivity,” the report states.
The 172 hectare site at 624 Limekilns Road was renamed Heritage Park Bathurst Cultural Precinct (HPBCP) earlier this year and it is now managed by the Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation.
Councillors will discuss the proposal at Wednesday night’s monthly council meeting.