General News
21 September, 2021
Mixed support for proposed new Atherton development
A PROPOSED development application which closed last Friday in Atherton has received mixed reactions with local residents taking to social media to express both their concerns and support for the project.
A PROPOSED development application which closed last Friday in Atherton has received mixed reactions with local residents taking to social media to express both their concerns and support for the project.
The proposed development which was open for submissions between August 30 until September 17 read “material change of use – non-resident workforce accommodation and short-term accommodation in association with existing Tourist Park”.
Local resident Debbie Savage was the first to initially raise the issue about the DA which, if successful, would see a large number of what is understood to be farm workers housed and accommodated at 138-152 Robert St, Atherton on lot 67.
Tablelands Regional Council was contacted to provide more specifics and information about the proposal however a spokesperson said it’s against Council policy to provide comment while the process is still active and unfinalised.
Ms Savage, meanwhile, said her objection and disapproval regarding the proposal centres around a number of different factors.
They include that the DA’s boundaries back into residential homes, that it’s a high residential area, that many surrounding homes are occupied by elderly residents, general security and safety concerns and aesthetic disturbance.
When pressed further about her concerns Ms Savage said “it’s not about the workers, it’s the size of the accommodation and how many in a residential area”.
“I have worked alongside these people picking blueberries and know how hard they work.”
Meantime other locals expressed their support for the project.
“Wow, what a wonderful development to enable (a) workforce for farmers,” a resident wrote.
“I think it’s a great idea. It can then free up some residential rentals for locals,” another said.
