The proposal, which aims to rezone land in Somersby to conserve more than 100 hectares of environmental land and provide approximately 20 hectares of land for rural homes, will be reviewed by an independent planning panel under the Darkinjung Delivery Framework, a suite of planning measures introduced in February.
Darkinjung Chairperson Matthew West praised the measures, which he said were “providing the right structure” to help the Land Council achieve its goals.
“Darkinjung is the largest non-Government landowner on the Central Coast so the Delivery Framework has the potential to not just benefit our people, but to lead to great outcomes for the entire Central Coast community for generations to come,” Mr West said.
“The Framework is working to help realise Darkinjung’s aspirations to enrich the Central Coast community by building homes, creating jobs and securing education and training opportunities.”
The Somersby proposal has the potential to act as a catalyst for Darkinjung to progress other projects, Mr West said.
“Darkinjung has a number of other planning proposals already proceeding through the rezoning process. The overall aim is to have a sustainable pipeline of development on our land.”
Darkinjung is participating in a pilot program to trial the new planning provisions which aim to support greater economic self-sufficiency for Aboriginal Land Councils across NSW.
State Planning Minister Rob Stokes joined Mr West in Gosford earlier this month to announce the project submission, which he described as an “historic step” in helping Aboriginal communities achieve better outcomes from their land.
