Community engagement

We invited community members to tell us how they'd like to the see the Dalmeny Land Release Area developed. In December 2021 and January 2022 we:

  • hosted two workshops attended by 63 people
  • hosted a community walk attended by 36 people
  • asked commnity members to complete a suvey and received 33 completed surveys.

The feedback we've received highlights the community’s interest in the type of development that would be occurring on the site. Particular interest has been shown in the density, lot size and community infrastructure that would be provided in the master plan. While there are always diverse views among communities, we have received a lot of consistent feedback too.

The survey responses indicate that:

  • 17 (approximately 50%) of the survey responses were considered positive towards the proposal, with commentary expressing an interest that the development be undertaken in a sensitive manner.
  • 10 (approximately 30%) of the survey responses expressed a preference for the development not to occur or to be minimal, acknowledging that if the development does occur it should be undertaken in an appropriate manner.
  • 6 (approximately 20%) of the written comments were negative and generally opposed to developing the area for housing.
  • 90% of the respondents where residents of Dalmeny with the balance either owning property in Dalmeny and visiting on a regular basis or visiting family who live in Dalmeny.

Most of the feedback expressed strong, positive connections to Dalmeny and its coastal locale and of the benefits of living in the township. Comments about the area included:

  • Coastal village atmosphere, a friendly town connected community, where people know each other.
  • Relaxed, tranquil, small, peaceful place, a quiet place.
  • Progressive.
  • Dalmeny is a place of open spaces, easy access to nature, a place to enjoy both the scenery and wildlife.
  • Coastal lifestyle living, pristine unspoilt beaches.
  • Blends in with its environment.
  • Great place to holiday with plenty of outdoor activities for families.
  • One of the few places where unburnt forest flourishes.
  • Beautify natural environment, bush to the sea.
  • Small holiday village, generally elderly residents with a smattering of young families.
  • Pristine bushland which is home to many native species.
  • Dalmeny charm is the simple beachside oasis.

The issues, concerns and opportunities raised in all feedback we received so far include:

  • access to the Princes Highway eg, for emergency access, consider Princes Highway connection with Duesbury Road
  • concerns increase in population will increase congestion on existing roads and requires traffic management eg, speed limits (traffic calming), especially during holiday periods
  • ensure pedestrian access is maintained through blocks of land to get to existing pathways on site, improvements to pedestrian access with shared pathways to the surrounding area, upgrade footpath along Creswick Road to allow access by walking to IGA and other shops, more pathways that are treelined, that allow shortcuts, pedestrian permeability
  • traffic access should not be from existing streets eg, connect to Mort Avenue (concerns this requires major roadworks) or Duesbury Road (should be sealed), incorporate new arterial roads and layout to minimise impacts on existing roads, avoid everyone accessing shops and beaches along one road, do not connect via Eucalyptus Drive
  • consider public transport networks through and around the site, shelters for public bus stops
  • ensure safety of children in the community is considered
  • access and connectivity are critical to reduce road traffic on existing roads
  • speed limits needed, and the safety of children in the community must be considered
  • a transport and movement study should be undertaken to ensure additional traffic avoids impacts on existing amenity
  • active transport through “nodes”,minimise “through” roads, design around pedestrian and bike access, rather than around car access
  • pedestrian access through the land opposite Binalong Street eg, bridge and boardwalks
  • reasonable street width for cars, pathway and parking on street, roads to be wide enough for additional traffic generated.

  • connectivity for native animals eg, safe crossings and overhead corridors
  • retain this area of unburnt forests, flora and fauna to be retained where possible, avoid loss of bushland, flora and fauna and their habitats (including threatened species such as Yellow-bellied Gliders) and biodiversity which is necessary for maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment for animals and people, protect habitat, avoid fragmentation and edge effects
  • ensure maintenance of retained vegetation eg, manage weeds and rabbits
  • biodiversity value has not been investigated enough and further studies should be undertaken to inform the masterplan and DCP
  • consider how stormwater will be managed to avoid pollution of waterways (eg, Mummaga Lake and Duck Pond), concern this cannot be managed
  • riparian zones to be nature/green/wildlife corridors, with all riparian zones free of any form of development, no development near riparian zones (eg, 40 metres), only develop ridges to allow the natural wildlife corridors to follow retained riparian zones
  • air pollution by dust and fine particles during construction
  • noise pollution due to higher population and density in quiet suburban streets
  • suggest areas are protected for their beauty and environmental value and seek funding to pursue this
  • energy efficient design of subdivision to allow positioning of houses to incorporate best environmental efficiency design/practices, design homes for climate change
  • ensure asset protection zones that minimise bushfire risk are identified in the masterplan so they do not impact on future environmental protection areas/retained vegetation
  • restrict domestic animals in new development eg, cats and dogs
  • retained bushland could be used for environmental studies, minimise vehicular access (like Bournda Environmental Education Centre)
  • Wetlands opposite Binalong Street to be restored and made a nature reserve.

  • ensure the community can still access bushland for recreation
  • walking and bike riding through retained bushland, wildlife corridors could also be used for nature walk, no recreation paths/tracks along riparian corridors
  • ensure paths and tracks to follow contours to be accessible and manage runoff
  • incorporate spaces for children, cater for different ages, consider a playground, picnic area, BBQ, shelter, water stations, dog bins, toilet facilities, open space playing fields, learning opportunities and exercise stations, dog friendly/designated dog exercise areas, space for community events, a club
  • natural areas for birdwatching, wildlife watching, fungi and orchid watching, photography
  • defined paths – walking, bike, etc, retain existing informal/natural mountain bike trails through bush
  • skyways over sensitive areas near watercourses to protect fragile ecosystems and give access to walkers and bike riders, potential links to other existing tracks eg, old Narooma mountain bike club tracks, not for dirt bikes that damage tracks
  • opportunity to extend pathways down through to Duesbury Road to complete a loop of Dalmeny.

  • ensure schools can cope with the population growth
  • place electricity underground
  • ensure adequate infrastructure is provided to accommodate population growth, consider whether a new or upgraded sewerage treatment plant is required
  • include shops/services point, no commercial in development
  • expand existing shops.

  • minimum Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating should be achieved via subdivision design and building materials
  • consider bushfire access and management, more than one way in and out, fire trails can also be used for walking/cycling
  • need a generous fire break between proposed development and bush to the west of Princes Highway
  • development may reduce bushfire risk for all of Dalmeny, concern that more homes would be bushfire prone, ensure fire protection zone between existing houses and development
  • additional Rural Fire Service (RFS) resources would be required
  • ensure development does not increase flood risk of existing homes in Dalmeny.

  • development should encourage one whole Dalmeny (not new and old)
  • retain trees and maintain bush feel, leafy suburb (like Eucalyptus Drive), no large trees in residential areas to reduce bushfire danger
  • allow mix of lot sizes, larger blocks to include tree retention/more green areas in yards, smaller lots for need greenspace nearby, avoid small lots, provide lot sizes that allows flexible designs, limited number of lots less than 500m2
  • maintain the character of area, maintain integrity of Dalmeny
  • any development would need to consider the special character of the land, seaside village atmosphere, with extra parks, and ocean feel to the streetscapes
  • loss of status of Eurobodalla nature coast, threat to eco-tourism industry
  • concerns that changing the existing character destroys heritage - historical, geological, and ecological
  • ensure it continues to be the ‘Nature Coast’, “Country” not “citified” or “urban”, we don’t want another central coast here, coastal pristine look/vibe which is why people live and holiday here. No concrete jungle, not Batehaven urbanisation or Catalina Sprawl
  • encourage/appeal to younger demographic
  • concerns the scale of the development will be too large an area and too high density
  • Dalmeny is a viable, vibrant community predominantly made up of long-term residents, the recent trend towards holiday rentals threatens the future character of our town, it puts pressure on housing and accommodation for local people who want to live here
  • accessibility for disabled and interaction between all ages, encourage green/ intersecting garden spaces.
  • street layouts that allow for privacy as well as access
  • inclusionary zoning, density bonuses, affordable housing, diversity in housing, main streets could have higher density
  • needs to be quality development, we need development, and this can work if it is done sensitively
  • appropriate building styles, no high rise residential, avoid housing that’s built together with insufficient spacing, limit the building height and density to retain the beach cottage character of Dalmeny
  • limit the total number of lots to retain the small coastal village character.

  • council needs to maintain control over preparation of the development control plan to ensure broad community input, concern that the community is not able to have their say or being listened to, suggestion that the community should organise and lead consultation opportunities e.g. workshops, concern about the process and whether appropriate studies are being undertaken as part of the process and at the right time
  • more housing is needed. Children who grew up here should be able to buy homes in their towns, development needed to accommodate population growth, a housing strategy should be developed for the whole shire
  • development better placed in other towns with existing community services
  • the benefits of the land release will help the community as a whole
  • create partnerships to develop regional sustainability and seek funding for projects that enhance natural areas
  • support local and regional businesses which enhance eco-tourism and other sustainable income streams
  • consider alternative projects that would benefit flora and fauna and draw communities together leading to a happy, healthy south coast community
  • allow for additional industrial sites
  • the development needs to be recognised and addressed, the Moruya River, Mummaga Lake and Wagonga Inlet Estuaries Coastal Management plan
  • council should not have sold Lot 2
  • housing development threatening eco-tourism industry and employment opportunities related to such
  • compliance and management of illegal activities e.g. unregistered bikes, off-road vehicles