The cottage, pictured in June, has been demolished. Queanbeyan council is voting on the site’s future this week. Screenshot: Google Maps.
A controversial plan to build a new medical centre in south-east NSW is back before council for the third time.
The new medical centre has been proposed for 24 Gibraltar Street in Bungendore. The project initially included a proposal to knock down a single-storey Edwardian cottage and its outbuildings.
However, the buildings on the block were demolished in late July after being given the go-ahead by a private certifier.
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) had voted to give the plan conditional approval at a June meeting, before moving to re-list it in an extraordinary meeting.
Councillors then deferred a decision on the Development Application (the DA).
It means councillors are expected to vote on whether the medical centre can be built at their meeting on Wednesday (27 August).
In council’s meeting agenda, it is recommended that the DA be approved but with a condition that the proposed landscaping be re-worked to follow council policy.
“The proposed development is considered suitable for the site, is compatible with the neighbourhood, and through recommended conditions of consent, enables a positive planning outcome,” the agenda states.
When councillors voted to defer a decision on the DA, they also decided to consider applying for an interim heritage order.
In late July, QPRC released a statement confirming the building wasn’t heritage listed, though the council had started a preliminary heritage assessment.
“The developer has not done anything unlawful in demolishing the building, because they received a valid complying development certificate,” a spokesperson said.
The statement also said the developer needed to get development approval before starting construction on the new building.
If approved on Wednesday, the development will have been voted on three times. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
If councillors vote in favour of it, the medical centre would have six consulting rooms, reception and waiting areas, a treatment room and toilet facilities.
It would be open between 8 am and 6 pm (Monday to Friday).
“Since the first notification, the development has been significantly amended to ensure consistency with the streetscape character of the locality,” council documents state.
The DA also proposes a second tenant and various landscaping and earthworks, including the removal of about 20 trees and shrubs, at the site.
The centre would have eight staff members and involve the construction of 10 parking spaces, including one accessible spot.
The council documents also state that while the second tenant hasn’t been confirmed, it is expected a similar business would move in (such as a pharmacy or another medical centre).
The documents also state that more than 20 submissions were made to QPRC during community consultation, with several arguing that the cottage shouldn’t be demolished because of its heritage value.
People also flagged a lack of nearby parking and the proposed removal of trees.
According to previous council meeting documents, the development would cost an estimated $1,320,980.
The next council meeting will be held on Wednesday (27 August) from 5:30 pm. The meeting agenda is available on QPRC’s website.
