Glenray Industries' to pay developer contributions for group homes

Bathurst Regional Council approved Glenray's development application in August 2020, which sought to build seven group homes within five separate buildings, two carports, retaining walls, and new internal driveways and car park.

An existing garden shed on the land would be demolished and 12 trees would be removed to make way for the development.

The land already houses eight group homes that are owned and operated by Glenray.

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During the assessment of the DA, it was identified that certain developer contributions were required to be paid, which total $109,914.

Conditions of consent relating to those contributions were imposed at the time the DA was approved.

In late May, council received a letter from Glenray outlining that the development will be carried out in three stages and seeking a reduction in the amount of contributions required to be paid.

The letter also included a request to pro rata the payments across the three stages of construction.

"Due to the benevolent nature of Glenray and the ongoing support that Glenray offers to many in the local community I request that Bathurst Regional Council review the charges described above and offer Glenray financial support in the form of a fee reduction," Glenray chief financial officer Scott Green said.

"I also request that the fee payment is deferred pro rata across the three stages of the development."

Council's director of Environmental, Planning and Building Services advised against a reduction in fees.

Instead, council resolved to offer deferred and periodic payment options to Glenray.

Councillors acknowledged the work Glenray does in the community for people with a disability, but said council wasn't in a position to reduce the fees.

"The resolution that's been put to us should be clear that in no way reflects how much Glenray Industries is valued and the great contribution it makes to this community, but we also have to bear in mind that ... we're in a council that's in extremely tight budgetary conditions and in a COVID budgetary year and we are just not in the position to be able to waive fees and charges of this scale," councillor Jess Jennings said.

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