Muswellbrook Shire Councillors have endorsed a modified Development Application for 76 new homes at Ironbark Road in Muswellbrook.
The decision at an Extraordinary Council Meeting follows rigorous Council assessment and community engagement and marks a milestone in ongoing planning for the Ironbark Ridge Extension Area, the Council said in a statement.
Council’s endorsement of the now-76 dwelling proposal follows months of detailed evaluation including public exhibition, review of community submissions and Council initially deferring the development in February.
Mayor, Jeff Drayton said Council had shown a commitment to transparency, due diligence and community feedback on the development.
“Council has held this DA to fair and proper scrutiny at every step,” Mayor Drayton said.
“When the original DA was brought forward, there were objections raised by members of the community. Councillors listened and made the decision to defer the application – this decision is about a proposal down from 94 dwellings to 76.”
Council staff engaged residents and stakeholders from the outset of the Development Application, including meeting in-person.
The modified DA includes adjustments to design elements and additional planning controls, and the removal of vehicular access via Acacia Drive.
Muswellbrook is identified in the Hunter Regional Plan 2041 as a Local Government Area to deliver a share of up to 50,000 new dwellings in the Hunter by 2041. Federally, the National Housing Accord targets 1.2 million additional homes by 2029 with a significant share to come from regional Australia.
Mayor Drayton said that while housing supply is a priority at all levels of government, Council assessed the Ironbark Ridge development on its suitability for Muswellbrook.
“This wasn’t a rubber stamp. Our staff undertook a careful assessment and Councillors were as diligent as our community should expect. The modified proposal we’ve now endorsed reflects input from the community and achieves a better balance between development and local expectations,” he said.
“We’re committed to planning decisions that are well-informed, fair and in the best interest of our Shire. This outcome reflects that.”
Council will now prepare a Development Control Plan for the Ironbark Ridge Extension Area, which is subject to public exhibition in accordance with Council’s Community Participation Plan.
