UNE New Wright Block

Thank you for your request for WaterNSW to provide comments on the EIS for SSD 9613. The proposed development is not located near any WaterNSW land or assets, and as such we have no comments or particular requirements. WaterNSW requests the Department continue to consult with us regarding proposals that have the potential to impact on our land or infrastructure.

EPA has reviewed EIS and provided comments for consideration by approval authority. Note proposed activity does not require regulation by the EPA.

Please find attached comments on the New Wright Block, Armidale.

Regards,
Mark Vaughan
Distribution Planning North Coast
[email protected]

Biodiversity and Conservation Division comments and recommendations for this project are attached.

Response attached.

I live about 200 metres south of the Handel St boundary of the University of New England.
For many years it was not uncommon to see koalas around the northern side of the campus, and in the early 2000s they seemed to be crossing Dumaresq Creek to the south bank and thence to the area of the residential colleges and into the suburban area adjacent to the university.
In 2009, for the first time I saw a koala in a tree in my garden. For the next several years they were regularly in my trees, in trees in other gardens, in the neighbouring park and around the southern campus of the university. There were a number of the animals, as they bred and produced at least one joey in Spring 2013. Sightings around the neighbourhood and adjacent to the Colleges were commonplace. The University, Glenelg Avenue and the associated Helen Avenue Park area came to be considered Core Koala Habitat under State Planning Policy 44 Koala Management.

Unfortunately, since that time things have changed. I have not seen a koala in the vicinity of my house since 2014. Armidale Urban Rivercare Group was prepared to plant koala feed trees within the University grounds to provide corridors for the animals, but this offer was not taken up. During the extensive construction which was carried out in the Bellevue area of the University during 2018 native trees were removed and not replaced. The Golden Elms and Pistachios favoured by the University are useless to koalas and most other native species.
I am concerned that the proposal now under consideration for the development of a new version of Wright College completely fails to take into account the value of the area as a wildlife habitat and particularly, a koala habitat. No native trees should be disturbed or removed, and extensive planting of additional native vegetation should be a first consideration. Building procedures should be considerate of the presence of, and the likely effect on, native wildlife.

I am deeply concerned about the size and scale of this development. This development will have a major impact on the local real estate market and effect already struggling local businesses.

At present students cater or 25-30% of the Armidale rental market. The proposed development provides 342 beds would have a major impact on these rates. Vacancy rates would climb and would have a direct effect on property prices.

Relocating 342 people from the local township to the University would have a devastating effect on already struggling businesses.

I am concerned that such a development has by passed local council and gone directly to the state government who have little to no knowledge of the local economic dynamics. Similar developments currently operate in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane where student numbers are much higher and alternate options are limited. A development of this size in a small rural town would lead to total market dominance and a have an ongoing negative impact on the local economy. It seems that once again the University has chosen to segregate itself from town.

I strongly oppose this development and recommend that it application be denied.

See attached

Please find attached a signed copy of NSW RFS comments

Please note the TfNSW submission was submitted on 16 Dec 2019 via Land Use Assessment, Northern.