Rodney Stevens
The fate of two Regionally Significant Developments at Grafton and Maclean will be decided by the Northern Regional Planning Panel next month.
Clarence Valley Council received a development application (DA) for the redevelopment of the Grafton Rowing Club Clubhouse, including the demolition of a heritage item at 2a Prince Street, Grafton, on May 22, 2023.
Grafton Rowing Club received $1.8 million in funding from the NSW and Federal governments which will see the site redeveloped in line with the Grafton waterfront precinct.
Plans reveal the roof level of the new club will be converted into a ‘club deck’ with seminar space, a rowing focused gym, a lounge area, kitchen and office spaces overlooking the Clarence River.
The ground floor of the new club will be converted with increased storage, unisex amenities and showers and a wider staircase.
The design also reveals plans for a judge’s box, rowing room and coffee cart.
When council placed information about the redevelopment of the Grafton Rowing Club Clubhouse on public exhibition it received no submissions either supporting or against the proposal.
As the DA is for a Regionally Significant Development it has been referred to the Northern Regional Planning Panel NRPP as the determining authority.
At the August council meeting councillors unanimously supported a motion by Cr Greg Clancy that was seconded by Cr Karen Toms that ‘That the Items for Information’ as listed below be noted:
- A public determination meeting for the DA may be scheduled by the Northern Regional Planning Panel on the 26 and 27 September 2023, subject to additional information being submitted and an external peer review of the Assessment Report being conducted.
- A Council Resolution is required should Council wish to make a submission about DA2023/0262 to the Northern Regional Planning Panel.
The second Regionally Significant project to go before the NRPP in September is the redevelopment of the Maclean Community Precinct.
Council received a DA for demolition of the existing Maclean Civic Hall and the redevelopment of a Community Centre at 48 River Street, Maclean on May 18, 2023.
Plans for the Maclean Community Precinct show a two-level building with a tiered auditorium to seat up to 300 people, which has been designed to enhance the Maclean CBD and connection to the Clarence River.
Featuring a larger performance and backstage space, a kitchen and a café/bar to cater for events, a large covered deck area with river views, a box office space, two multi-purpose rooms, foyer with gallery space for display of artworks, audio visual control room, basement car park for 40 cars and an elevator connecting the car park to ground level, the new premises will be entered from the southern side of River Street.
A ‘new and vibrant’ public outdoor space featuring informal seating, new pathways and a terraced amphitheatre will be located between the council offices and the precinct.
When information about the Maclean Community Precinct redevelopment was on public exhibition council received 8 submissions, four in support, one in support with concerns, and three against.
At the August council meeting councillors unanimously supported a motion moved by Cr Debrah Novak and seconded by Cr Karen Toms that council 1. note public determination meeting for the DA will be scheduled by the Northern Regional Planning Panel on the 26 or 27 September. 2. support the development application.
The CV Independent will report on the outcomes of the NRPP meeting in the October 4 edition.