An agreement of sorts between Port Stephens Council and the owners of Shepherds Ground has provided hope for the continued progress of the Butterwick property, while at the same time allowed nearby residents to breathe easier.
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At the last meeting of Port Stephens Council, it was resolved that the council commence construction of the controversial section of Green Wattle Creek Road to be funded by the developers.
Councillors have ordered Shepherds Ground to pay the $400,000 to seal 400 metre of roadway leading into the property.
Residents on the two blocks fronting the dirt roadway claim flying dust has caused health and environmental issues.
In light of the council decision, Lucie Bruvel, founder of Shepherds Ground, said that there needed to be a long term, dust solution for everyone who uses, lives on, or frequents Green Wattle Creek Road.
“Shepherds Ground always intended on contributing toward sealing the road, however the unforeseen and exorbitant cost of constructing 400m of public road as well as the increased traffic from other sources made the original condition onerous and unfair,” she said.
“We have continued to work with council staff to nut out the new agreement and indications are that the section of the road will be sealed in the first half of 2019.”
Ms Bruvel said the $400,000 fee would slow down the project’s progress.
“We are lobbying to have Green Wattle Creek Road included on the schedule of proposed SRV road upgrades,” she said.
“We agreed to this new arrangement so that progress can continue but as traffic from other sources continues to increase, the council may find a full road upgrade is required.”
