A GYM has been given the green-light to be built in the Tremain's Mill precinct, despite efforts to have the matter deferred.
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A development application (DA) for the gym, lodged by Lyle Davis, was up for determination at last week's council meeting.
Director of Environmental, Planning and Building Services, Neil Southorn, had recommended that the plans be approved, but with almost 50 conditions attached.
Those conditions addressed various concerns with the proposal, including a shortfall of parking, noise and heritage impact.
However, councillor Bobby Bourke wanted to defer the item to the new council term, partly due to concerns about the heritage impact of demolitions, but primarily because the site is owned by Stephen Birrell.
Mr Birrell is the public officer of the Future Bathurst organisation, which is running a campaign on Facebook urging people not to vote for councillors Bourke, Warren Aubin, Alex Christian, Graeme Hanger and Ian North in the election.
Cr Bourke said it would be "unfair" for the five councillors singled out by Mr Birrell to vote on the DA so close to the election, implying there was a conflict of interest.
"I don't want to be unfair here dealing with it tonight. I'd rather leave it up to a new council to decide, because of the conflicts we've had," he said.
Cr Bourke was told multiple times by general manager David Sherley, mayor Ian North and Mr Southorn that the DA had to be considered on its own merits.
"The issue of individuals is not relevant to this matter. It is not an item for discussion," Mr Sherley said.
"What is being discussed is the DA in front of you and the merits of that DA. The personalities involved are not matters for consideration and, frankly, are inappropriate for consideration.
"You must contain yourself to what is in the DA."
When Cr Bourke, and later Cr Christian, persisted down the path of Mr Birrell's involvement, they were reminded that the DA was lodged by Mr Davis, who would be running the gym.
The motion to defer the item was voted down and councillors later resolved to approve the development with the conditions of consent recommended by Mr Southorn.
As per those conditions, developer contributions of $134,721.30 will need to be paid to council due to the shortfall of seven parking spaces.
The gym and car park will front Manilla Street and the facility is proposed to operate seven days a week. It would operate from 4am to 9pm on weekdays and 6am to 4pm on weekends.
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