After reading articles in the Oberon Review, and more recently a report from his neighbour Warwick Armstrong in regards to biosecurity, Bruce Harris has had his say about the proposed small lot subdivision at 175 Titania Road.
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"At Applegrove we run cattle on 450 acres below Duckmaloi Road between Deep Creek and the Fish River. Stormwater run-off from these lots will affect both streams," Mr Harris said.
"We rely on both for water for stock, bores and domestic supply. We cannot accept any further pollution risk to either stormwater or groundwater.
"I, and my farming neighbours, have to insist on the preservation of the quantity and the quality of these water resources.
"The groundwater will be at risk from 43 new on-site wastewater systems. I believe council now promotes sand mound systems, which, I’m told, can develop impermeable soil or high water tables.
"For many years, the Department of Primary Industries has advised council that considering the hydrological and geological constraints with this unserviced site, minimum lot sizes should be five hectares. I have spoken to them myself.
"As I said to the council in 2015, the development is too far from town to be suitable for one hectare blocks which will threaten the viability of local farmland.”
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Mr Harris believes that if council lets this proposal through, it has failed in its responsibility to protect Oberon’s farmland.
Chris O’Neill, the developer for the proposed subdivision, said he has had two independent geotech reports and a hydrological report completed and they are with council now.
"One report states that for a four bedroom home with five occupants, the effluent disposal area is 1022 square metres. A one hectare block is ten times the size of the required area," he said.
Mr O'Neill said there were no facts to back up the claims of water run-off from neighbours.
“This is just scaremongering,” he said. “As per the design, there will be no water run-off to any neighbouring properties, creeks or rivers."
Council has been given further hydrological information in relation to the proposed development, which is on public exhibition. Submissions will be received until November 21.
