Read Northern Beaches Council Media Release, Friday 13 December, 2024

Bushfire risk remains an issue for Lizard Rock development

Friday 13 December 2024

Northern Beaches Council today expressed disappointment with the majority decision of the North Sydney Planning Panel on the Lizard Rock application but support the Panel’s referral back to the Rural Fire Service for further consideration.

Council remains strongly opposed to the development, not only due to the extreme bushfire and evacuation risk posed to future residents, but also the significant biodiversity loss, traffic and other infrastructure challenges that would likely result in additional costs for ratepayers.

Mayor Sue Heins noted the dissenting view of 2 of the 5 panellists who agreed with Council that the issues posed by the development are insurmountable. 

“Council supports the intent of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act and its aim to compensate in some way for the dispossession Aboriginal people have experienced through colonisation and ongoing.   

“However, Council must consider each development proposal on its merits, regardless of the landowner.

“While the Planning Panel have made some changes to the proposal, Council is still of the view that this is not a viable development and should be abandoned. 

“The one road in and out of a community surrounded by dense bushland poses too big a risk to life and property. Many of us remember too clearly the terrifying 1994 bushfires blackening the Northern Beaches and have seen the devastating loss of life in other areas since then.  

“Council cannot see how any mitigation measures can make this proposed development safe and support the Rural Fire Service’s position that it also cannot support the rezoning. 

“Only a few years ago, the NSW state government decided not to proceed with their own proposal for residential development under similar conditions at nearby Ingleside.

“But this is just one of the issues that can’t be ignored in this proposal and I would urge the Minister to listen to the expertise in Council as well as all their own specialist agencies who have rejected this proposal – both the RFS and NSW Environment and Heritage.”

Mayor Heins also noted the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully did confirm in Parliament on 29th June 2023 that: ”any objections from the NSW RFS would mean that the proposal will not progress.”