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Abattoir site may become industrial

About 14ha of the Woy Woy abattoir and quarry site may be rezoned to general industrial 4(a) if another 20ha is donated to the Coastal Open Space System in a plan to be put to Gosford Council this week.

Council officers have recommended that council prepare a draft local environment plan (DLEP) for lots 1, 183 and 173 Woy Woy Rd, Woy Woy, which previously formed part of the Woy Woy Quarry and Abattoir.

Officers recommended that council rezone lots 1, 183 and part of 173 below the top of the quarry face from 4(d) Industrial (Offensive or Hazardous) to 4(a) Industrial (general).

Officers further recommended that council rezone part of lot 173 above the top of the quarry face from 4(d) to 6(a) to be dedicated to council for inclusion into the Coastal Open Space System (COSS).

The applicant said the purpose of the rezoning to 4(a) was to permit a "more diverse range of industrial uses including hardware and building supply outlets and vehicle repair stations".

The applicant said that rezoning would ensure that the land continued to be employment generating land and stated that it would "remediate a potentially hazardous site and transform it into a more usable economic benefit".

Council reported that the owner of the property said they were "happy" for lot 173, above the industrial section of the property, to be donated to council for inclusion into the COSS, in exchange for the "maximum possible area" within the proposed 4(a) zone being "available for future development".

The council report stated that the Woy Woy abattoir had been closed since May 2004, and although the subject site was zoned as employment generating land, it was currently "not being used to its full employment potential".

It stated that: "The rezoning of the site is considered to attract variety of small industry to the Woy Woy area and also provide much needed additional local employment".

A report from council officers stated that the subject land was zoned 4(d) with lots 1 and 183 "generally cleared and accommodating the old abattoir buildings".

It stated that "lot 173 is mostly undeveloped except for part of the existing quarry face located on the far eastern section of the lot".

The report stated that council's Natural Resources section welcomed the proposal to donate the land to the COSS, but that it would not be interested in part of lot 173 which had been disturbed by quarry activities.

It stated that: "Consequently, this part of lot 173 is to be included in the 4(a) zone."

The report stated that the rezoning to 4(a) of land already "disturbed and used for industrial purposes" was supported in principle, as it would permit an "orderly and economic" use of the land for employment generating activities.

It stated though that considerable detailed investigations would have to be undertaken in order to ensure that the site was suitable for the amended zone.

The report stated that: "the dedication to council of the undisturbed land on lot 173 and consequent zoning to 6(a) will result in the long term protection and conservation of the native vegetation and wildlife".

"Consequently, the DLEP satisfies the strategic directions outlined in council's policies and those of the Department of Planning."

Council officers recommended that after the DLEP was prepared, it should be forwarded to the department of planning with the advice that council considers that the preparation of a environmental study is required.

Officers recommended that the environmental study should include a report addressing the aims and objectives of SEPP No 19 - Urban Bushland, a detailed Acid Sulphate soil assessment and an accompanying management plan and a detailed site investigation regarding potential contamination.

Officers also recommended that the study should also include a bushfire hazard assessment report, a flora and fauna assessment, a 7-Part test of significance to assess the impact of the proposal on adjoining National Park, a weed management plan, a floodplain risk management plan and a geotechnical Assessment for the disused quarry.

Council agenda ENV.21, 1 May 2007