Court to consider Trinity Point helipad proposal after talks break down
19th June 2019
Source: The Lakes Mail | By: David Stewart | Posted: June 19, 2019
CONFIDENTIAL talks between Lake Macquarie City Council and Johnson Property Group about the developer's plans to add a helipad to the marina at Trinity Point, in Morisset Park, have failed to land at "agreement or resolution".
"The conciliation conference for this matter has now been formally terminated," a spokesperson for the council said.
The matter will now proceed to an open hearing before the Land and Environment Court, which has been scheduled for December 9, 10 and 11.
"In the meantime, the applicant may seek to amend its development application. Should council receive an amended application, it will carry out a further public exhibition process," the spokesperson said.
Johnson Property Group (JPG) wants to add a helipad to its approved $388-million development at Morisset Park.
There would be a maximum of eight helicopter movements a day.
But the proposal stalled in both the Department of Planning and Environment, and at council.
So JPG appealed to the court in separate matters involving the Minister for Planning, and the council.
In January, a conciliation conference chaired by a commissioner from the Land and Environment Court was held on site at Trinity Point.
The conference heard from six speakers chosen to voice their reasons for opposing the helipad proposal: Tom Dumbrell, Irene Bates, John Quinlan, John Skewes, Tania Amway, and MP Greg Piper.
JPG recently opened the marina at Trinity Point.
The Trinity Point project will also include a 65-room Pullman hotel, day spa, gym, restaurant, function centre and 250 luxury apartments.
JPG began planning the project in 1999.
"It's been a long and challenging journey but worth it," Johnson Property Group managing director, Keith Johnson, said at the marina opening.
Council said it would continue to update the community on matters concerning the helipad proposal.
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