Haberfield army land “unsuitable”

Friday 29 October 2021

 Council will invite Minister for Defence Peter Dutton to an on-site inspection of the defence lands in Haberfield to see for himself the unsuitability of the site for redevelopment.

The land was subdivided and the lots auctioned in May 2003, however the subdivision was never progressed due to the developer failing to comply with the conditions of consent.

Council found there had been an underestimation of the size of the upstream catchment. This required extensive drainage works to increase the capacity of the drainage system.

“Developers sold the land lots even though Ashfield (now Inner West) Council had not yet signed off on the subdivision,” said Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous.

Recently, the Department of Defence obtained approval from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for civil and drainage works on the site.

“The majority of works have now been undertaken to allow the subdivision to occur, including the installation of roads, drainage and remediation,” said Mayor Porteous.

“Many local residents are contacting us because they say the risk of significant flooding on the site remains.

“It’s under sea level, close to Hawthorne Canal and stormwater accumulates on the site.

“Residents continue to hold significant concerns, specifically regarding how the site will be managed with respect to tree protection and flooding.

“This whole sorry saga has been dragging on for far too long. We think that the Minister for Defence will only have to take a cursory look at the land to see that it is unsuitable for redevelopment,” Mayor Porteous said.

For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath, Media and Communications Coordinator, 9392 5334 or Elizabeth.Heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au