Robert Rawlings has urged Bathurst Regional Council not to become a dollar harlot by approving the All Hallows development application.
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During a discussion forum on Wednesday night Mr Rawlings asked Bathurst Regional Council not to prostitute principle for a few dollars.
He said it is clear members of the Bathurst Aboriginal community already feel aggrieved and betrayed by the sale of the All Hallows building to developers.
“If councillors vote to approve the Dionysus Group’s development any far-minded citizen will quite legitimately conclude that the council is applying one set of rules for the Aboriginal community and a very different set of rules for others in the community,” Mr Rawlings said.
“By voting to approve the development councillors will be saying that institutional discrimination is acceptable.
“I’m sure that it is a tag that neither the councillors nor any fair-minded citizen would want attached to Bathurst’s good name,” he said.
In making his submission Mr Rawlings said it is stretching the point that the size of the development and modern architecture and materials will be compatible with the architecture and heritage of All Hallows which was built in the 1930s 1940s.
He also said surface water is an issue that could pose a problem as several storms have resulted in a torrent of surface water coming off the hill opposite, flooding residents at the bottom of Willman Place.
“That torrent of water came down through a paddock covered with grass 30cm high,” he said.
“How much faster will the surface water flow down through the proposed development, once again causing flooding to the school and residences?”
He also described the developer’s ideas on security and safety as commendable but said it shows a very simplistic understanding of student behaviour.
He listed a number of acts of vandalism in between the city and the university, making it clear who he felt was responsible.
Mr Rawlings said the developer, in his application, said the goal is to attract quality young adults who will respect their surroundings, not abuse them.
“To that I say ‘good luck’ but remind him that even quality young adults can behave badly under the influence of alcohol and other substances,” he said.
Mr Rawlings said despite an increase in the number of parking spots, the amount allocated is ‘still miles short of what is needed’.
He said that even if the amount of parking spaces provided was doubled to 352 it would only represent 72 per cent of 490 beds.
“Speaking with staff at CSU it was estimated that up to 90 per cent of students had cars,” he said.
“The question arises as to where the excess will be parking,” Mr Rawlings said.
“They will be parking not only on Lloyds Road but also College Road and Havannah Street.”
He added that a considerable number of visitors would also need parking.
