<![CDATA[North Arm Cove Ratepayers Association

<![CDATA[North Arm Cove Ratepayers Association - News]]>Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:27:10 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[griffin heritage legacy - a key to sustainable development at north arm cove]]>Tue, 16 Jul 2024 07:57:00 GMThttp://northarmcove.org.au/news/griffin-heritage-legacy-a-key-to-sustainable-development-at-north-arm-cove Another great example of one of the 70 submissions made to MidCoast Council, as part of the recent "Have Your Say" community consultation into Council's draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

...I am very much in favour of the State Government's directive to MidCoast Council to consider the paper subdivision of North Arm Cove as C4 Environmental Living, rather than C3 Environmental Management.

However, I believe the Council's draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP) doesn't go far enough, in that it doesn't place enough value on retaining the heritage element of Walter and Marion Griffin's original subdivision, nor the social and economic benefits which could be achieved by implementing a modernised version of that plan - for example incorporating sustainable housing objectives, village-style community focus and small-space living.

I urge the Council to work with sustainability-focused architects and town planners to establish a Development Plan for the North Arm Cove paper subdivision which incorporates the best modern environmental practices and the Griffins' sympathetic co-operation with the topography and flora/fauna.

MidCoast Council has a unique opportunity in North Arm Cove to place themselves at the forefront of sustainable development and, in doing so, increase both their rates income and tourism potential through establishing a Griffin memorial village.

Submission from a North Arm Cove ratepayer, July 2024

North Arm Cove will not rival Canberra, rather, if built, it will be an opportunity to preserve Sir Walter Burley Griffin’s legacy and prove that visionary urban plans do not lose their value and human significance over time. Griffin’s ideas of a habitat with specific environmental, spiritual and social qualities reflect aspirations of a contemporary Australia.

from the Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc.

]]><![CDATA[part of the north arm cove paper subdivision since 1982...one north arm cove ratepayer's leP submission to midcoast council.]]>Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:21:23 GMThttp://northarmcove.org.au/news/part-of-the-north-arm-cove-paper-subdivision-since-1982one-north-arm-cove-ratepayers-lep-submission-to-midcoast-councilA great example of one of the 70 submissions made to MidCoast Council, as part of the recent "Have Your Say" community consultation into Council's draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

"...My land forms part of the North Arm Cove paper subdivision that we purchased in 1982 for the purpose of residential development.

A review of the documents prepared by Council outline that the subject land is proposed to be zoned C4 Environmental Living with a 5HA minimum allotment size under the new Mid Coast LEP. We recommend that Council reconsider the proposed minimum allotment size to allow the existing allotments in the paper subdivision (approximately 800m² in area) to meet the minimum allotment size for a dwelling house for the following reasons:

1. The subject land and area (paper subdivisions) were originally designed and created to accommodate residential development and growth within the area.

2. The existing paper subdivisions can cater for the continued growth in the area and constant demand for additional housing in a timelier manner, than undertaking a Planning Proposal for rezoning.

3. The subject land fronts a gravel road and is in close proximity to a sealed road (Market Way), which provides a legal and physical access to the site.

4. The servicing for onsite waste management and potable water can be achieved onsite via appropriate development controls adopted by Council in a Development Control Plan.

5. Councillors would be aware of the national housing crisis within Australia at the moment. The current Council decisions made prevent property owners to develop their own land. It is these types of decisions which do not assist in mitigating the shortage of residential properties.

I encourage Councillors to consider these points carefully so that their rate payers have options for land development in these areas.

To date, Council has left landowners cornered in a financial predicament. The only option for landowners of North Arm Cove to either "gift" the land to Council or continue to pay rates, without receiving any services for this rating income.

Council needs to provide these landowners with more options."

Submission made by a North Arm Cove ratepayer, July 2024

]]><![CDATA[have your say in midcoast council's draft local environmental plan (lep) community consultation]]>Tue, 28 May 2024 11:49:29 GMThttp://northarmcove.org.au/news/have-your-say-in-midcoast-councils-lep-community-consultationIt's time to Have Your Say in the Council's consultation period for their new Local Environmental Plan (LEP), which will decide what the future zoning will be at North Arm Cove. This will also affect what we can and can't do on our blocks in the future.

The good news is that the NSW Dept. of Planning recently directed Council not to downzone the paper-subdivision to C3 Environmental Management, but instead to C4 Environmental Living. You can read more about this in the Gateway Determination Report.

You need to make a submission by 11.59pm Sunday 14 July.
Last time NAC ratepayers made more than 114 submissions, so let's see if we can beat that?!

Here's how to do it in 6 easy steps:
1. Click on the website link haveyoursay.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/draft-midcoast-local-environmental-plan
and then scroll down to this box, where it says "Read the Planning Proposal and make a submission".
2. Read these documents if you are interested. The most important one is the Gateway Determination Report, which is where NSW Dept of Planning (State Gov) is telling Council what the zoning for North Arm Cove should be - C4 Environment Living.
3. Click through to this page and fill in your details. Then click NEXT.
4. Make your comments in this box.
5. Here's an example of what you could say...but your need to put this in your own words...no copying!
6. When you are successful you should receive this message. Congratulations, pat yourself on the back!

]]><![CDATA[How the Gateway Report from the Department of Planning to MidCoast Council is good news for North Arm Cove]]>Mon, 27 May 2024 11:46:26 GMThttp://northarmcove.org.au/news/how-the-gateway-report-from-the-department-of-planning-to-midcoast-council-is-good-news-for-north-arm-coveSo we have had great news in recent times.
The NSW Dept. of Planning (Housing & Infrastructure) directing MidCoast Council (via the Gateway for the new LEP) to rezone North Arm Cove (NAC) non-urban lots to C4 'Enviromental Living', instead of Council's desire for C3 'Envronmental Management'.

This is incredibly exciting, because the State Govt now see a possible residential solution for NAC. This also reflects well for those villagers zoned urban, because it gives hope to the possibility of sewer, much needed infrastructure and commercial shops and services such as medical, which are of much benefit to them, and which will only enhance their property values.

But of course, the 'old guard' hate any change, and want the status quo to remain. But its like the boy who stuck his finger in the dyke, there will be no stopping the progress that is coming their way. Currently, the recommended zone of C4 has a minimum Lot size of 5 ha, which of course is still way too large, but this can be worked down to much smaller lot sizes once the authorities are satisfied that there is feasible outcomes for biodiversity, bushfire, infrastructure costs and an overall business case for development.

In my opinion, the current footprint of Burley Griffin's subdivision unfortunately won't work, because of the above challenges, but a new footprint with appropriate corridors for ecological and biodiversity measures can be drafted and presented to all landowners in a future Development Plan, which is currently being investigated with advice from both Dept of Planning and Council.

If its found that sensible development can occur with the required independent studies, then the next stage will see support from all sides of government, and it will come down to a landowner vote.

Slow but steady as she goes, but we are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Once again, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have numbers in the Association, because it tells the decision makers that we have the support behind us, and demand change.

Please take the time to join - you can click on the Membership tab above, or the link below.
https://northarmcove.org.au/membership.html#
Membership - North Arm Cove Rate Payers Association

Contributed by
David Buxton
President, North Arm Cove Rate Payers Association
nacrpa@gmail.com
27 May 2024

]]><![CDATA[have your say in midcoast council's community strategic plan]]>Thu, 16 May 2024 10:00:34 GMThttp://northarmcove.org.au/news/have-your-say-in-midcoast-councils-community-strategic-planMid Coast Council have released their Community Strategic Plan for 2025-2035. The plan can be viewed at MidCoast Community Strategic Plan | Have Your Say (nsw.gov.au)

Non urban paper subdivision landowners are not defined or included as part of the Community, which has been a real issue for us to have our voice to be consulted and listened to.

The North Arm Cove Ratepayers Association NACRPA will be providing a strong submission, to ensure we are included in any future community consultation on matters that impacts our land. As we know, we have power in numbers.

Please provide your feedback at MidCoast Community Strategic Plan | Have Your Say (nsw.gov.au) Feedback must be provided before Sunday 30 June 2024.

North Arm Cove Ratepayers make up 5% of the total MidCoast Council ratepayer base...
OUR VOICES SHOULD COUNT!

The statement highlighted above is NOT TRUE. We were deliberately EXCLUDED from the Community Consultation process.

]]><![CDATA[March 15th, 2024]]>Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:12:02 GMThttp://northarmcove.org.au/news/march-15th-2024

]]><![CDATA['front page' of the sydney morning herald]]>Tue, 28 Feb 2023 10:57:19 GMThttp://northarmcove.org.au/news/front-page-of-the-sydney-morning-herald

Read this article by clicking on the link here

]]><![CDATA[ACROSS THE ROAD]]>Wed, 12 Oct 2022 06:06:03 GMThttp://northarmcove.org.au/news/across-the-roadI purchased a lot on Promontory Way, North Arm Cove in 1993, from my then mother-in-law.
She owned and lived in the dwelling next door. At that time, it was estimated that zoning of the
urban blocks would be extended from the North Arm Cove Village possibly around 2014. This, of course, did
not happen. Numerous calls to the Council over the years have ended with the reply that nothing was
planned in the near future. I am deeply disappointed that the Council has chosen to develop other areas
within the Shire with facilities and infrastructure eg. Tea Gardens, rather than North Arm Cove, despite the
fact that there is a well-established community on the peninsula.

I purchased the land with a view to it being a medium to long-term investment as part of my superannuation and I am shattered to think it is no longer a viable option. I have been making the rate payments and land maintenance payments when requested by RFS (I must say, I was only contacted once), for the past 29 years. This point may not seem important to many, but when you have worked all your life, not making millions, and taking initiative to consider some future investment plan for yourself or beneficiaries, it is quite soul destroying when something like this happens.

The fact that my land is right next door, and across the road from existing dwellings really rubs salt into the wound. It is a beautiful part of the world and had the timing been right and more development had occurred I would have no doubt settled there in my retirement.

I have heard that “people power” has overturned many decisions that Councils have made, so I am very
thankful that I found NACRPA and you good people are pushing forward with the objections to this Plan
and putting forward such a positive vision for the future of this area. Yes, we do need more voices and we
must encourage more to join. My thanks to you for this initiative.

This is my story.
Kerry Woods

]]><![CDATA[north arm cove at centre of property boom, but it's complicated]]>Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:15:39 GMThttp://northarmcove.org.au/news/north-arm-cove-at-centre-of-property-boom-but-its-complicatedby Hamish Geale
www.realestateview.com.au
link to full story here

GLAMPING HAVEN: This 844 square metre block at 2 Tamworth Street, North Arm Cove, is for sale with an on-site caravan. It has a price tag of $120,000. Picture: First National Hawks Nest

A quiet coastal village of just 450 people was the biggest winner in the property boom of 2021.
The Port Stephens township of North Arm Cove recorded the strongest annual growth in dwelling values of any Australian suburb, rising a mammoth 64.4 per cent according to CoreLogic figures.
What might surprise outsiders is that most sales in 2021 were less than $40,000.
The explanation for this factors in zoning, Walter Burley Griffin and 100 years of complex history.
THE LANDSCAPE
North Arm Cove could have been anything.
In the 20 years to 1919 it was considered as a site for a naval base and the nation's capital before the area's council approved Walter Burley Griffin's plans for 'Port Stephens City'.
The Canberra designer's plans for railways, wharves and gardens never eventuated, but some waterfront homes were built before all undeveloped land was zoned 'rural' in the 1960s.
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Walter Burley Griffin's plans for Port Stephens City were rejigged by Henry Halloran in the early 1920s.
Today, North Arm Cove is split into two sections - a village of about 300 homes and a cluster of more than 3000 undeveloped blocks.
The town has no shops, mains water or sewage systems, but residents say there's nowhere like it.
"It's a lovely little quiet village to live in, people love living there," said Bob Reid, a resident of 30-plus years.
"They like the environment, the bush ... it's a wonderful little bit of paradise."
All remaining blocks have non-urban zoning, which prohibits dwelling structures and restricts owners from spending more than two consecutive days, or 60 days in a year, on their properties.
Non-urban landowners pay between $300 and $600 every year in rates, and many blocks are only accessible via privately-owned roads.
Non-urban landowners regularly hand over their blocks to MidCoast Council, which owns about 1000 lots, in lieu of paying rates.

No home in North Arm Cove had cracked $1.5 million before 2020. Four $2 million transactions have occurred since, including two sales of $2.35 million.
WHO'S BUYING?
The property frenzy may have calmed, but North Arm Cove's annual growth rate still sits at 35.1 per cent in the 12 months to July.
First National Hawks Nest's John Rumble says much of the town's astonishing growth can be attributed to sales of village homes.
"Five years ago people were buying these properties on the waterfront for $800,000," he said.
"Four or five years later they're selling for $1.4, $1.5, $1.6 million which is unheard of."
He said there were several factors that led owners to offload non-urban blocks, which typically sell for between $25,000 and $45,000.
"Some people just don't get up here enough to be able to use them, others have had these same blocks in the family for 30 to 50 years and they've been handed on down.
"The kids and grandkids say 'this is never going to happen' and they sell it.
"The main reason people buy them is to set up for recreational camping, and they're coming from everywhere - Newcastle, the Central Coast, Sydney."

A 1208 square metre block at Lot 2110 Manilla Crescent is selling for $37,500. Picture: First National Real Estate
WHAT'S NEXT?
MidCoast Council advises on its website that future rezoning of paper subdivisions such as North Arm Cove is "highly unlikely".
The council is in the process of adopting a Rural Strategy, which is understood to involve rezoning North Arm Cove's non-urban land to environmental conservation or management land.
The rezoning would still not permit dwellings.
Many believe it could be decades before further development takes place at North Arm Cove, however, a landowner community group is pushing for it to happen much sooner.
"Up until now it hasn't been feasible," said David Buxton, of North Arm Cove Rate Payers Association.
"You would need sewer and stormwater and power ... it would all have to connect to the sewer system at Tea Gardens and the cost of that connection was worth more than the land was worth.
"But now because land values have gone up so much and we have reticulated water systems, all of this can be done much cheaper."

]]><![CDATA[here is the news - stella's story of hope.]]>Tue, 15 Mar 2022 13:00:00 GMThttp://northarmcove.org.au/news/here-is-the-news-stellas-story-of-hopeFor many of us landowners we often feel isolated and don't know who to turn to...phoning or writing to council, government ministers or politicians...begging to be heard...hoping for some kind of change. ANYTHING. In 2016 one woman, Stella Maris, wrote to the local newspaper "News of the Area" sharing her story. What it did was trigger a reaction of people reaching out to find each other. To find their voice, and be heard.
Here's a link to Stella's news story, which has attracted more than 131 comments. Thanks Stella, you have been so instrumental in getting our story out there, enabling us to finding each other, and being heard. Here's to Hope!

A Call For North Arm Cove’s Development And Potential
by News Of The Area - Modern Media - June 17, 2016

Dear News Of The Area
My husband and I bought a block of land in North Arm Cove about 20 years ago with the hope that one day we could build our little house.

We felt in love with the area and we use to go every summer with our children to look at our land and enjoy the beautiful water views.

We named our land “HOPE”.

We never stopped paying the rates for 20 years and I believe many people still paying like us; and the ones that stopped paying probably became pensioners and cannot afford to pay anymore.

But how much money all the people paid to the council probably for more than 20 years.

I don’t think money is the problem.

We don’t go there every year anymore.

Some times we pay some locals from North Arm Cove to cut the grass in our land.

But I can say the area has deteriorated a lot not only the non urban area but also the urban area it looked really sad.

It is a pity that this council does not recognize that North Arm Cove has a big potential to develop and create more jobs.

I wrote a nice letter to the Council to ask about the approval of environmental free houses: kit homes with solar energy, rain water tanks, our own sewage but never have a reply.

I hope people doesn’t give up and continuing fighting for something that it is ours.

Stella Maris
Ratepayer North Arm Cove

Fast forward to 2022...
When I emailed my story for me it was a way of relief, I knew that somehow, somebody up there was going through the same situation and I was going to be heard.,not like when I wrote to the council .
Then the time passed by and I forgot completely about my letter, until one day a lady "Renate Tuano" sent me a private message asking me if I was the same person from the article, of course I said YES, and she replied you better have a look at all the people responses.
I was in shock and so happy at the same time. Then Renate suggested to open a Facebook page and also to continue with the NAC Petition. So we did.

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