Planning proposal no.27 - 7-9 Caroline Crescent

Blue Sky Planning & Environment (BSPE) Pty Ltd was commissioned by Armidale Regional Council (ARC) (Council) to independently chair a Public Hearing on the proposed reclassification of a parcel of Council-owned land in Armidale (Lot 25 DP229148). Lisa Proctor, Director of BSPE, was the Chair of the Public Hearing and is the author of this Report.

The purpose of the Public Hearing, and this Report, is to document and consider community submissions, representations and concerns and to make a recommendation to Council on whether the proposed reclassification should proceed.

Background

Following the adoption of its Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) and Local Housing Strategy (LHS) in 2024, Council commenced the implementation of the Actions and Planning Priorities from those Strategies, one of which is to investigate opportunities to partner with community/social housing providers (CHPs) to provide affordable community housing and to investigate opportunities to divest operational and community land for the purpose of social and affordable housing. Council reviewed available public land, to determine which sites may be underutilised and suitable to facilitate the recommendations, with 7-9 Caroline Crescent, Armidale (Lot 25 DP229148) being identified as one of several sites that may be suitable for community housing. The land was identified due to its location within an established residential area in Armidale offering proximity to public amenities such as Lynches Park and the Bicentennial Arboretum, and because of its existing access to essential services including water, sewerage, electricity, and the NBN, which reduces infrastructure delivery costs.

Previous public exhibition for 7-9 Caroline Crescent, Armidale (Lot 25)

Notice for Planning Proposal No 27 - Reclassification and Rezoning of 7-9 Caroline Crescent, Armidale (Lot 25 DP 229148)

In accordance with the conditions of the Gateway Determination received from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Council gives notice under section 3.34(2)(c) and clause 4 of Schedule 1 to the Act, of the public exhibition of a Planning Proposal for Draft Amendment No 27 to Armidale Regional Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2012.

The intent of the Planning Proposal is to amend the Armidale Regional Local Environmental Plan (ARLEP) 2012, in relation to Lot 25 DP 229148, 7-9 Caroline Crescent, Armidale, to change the classification of the land from Community to Operational, and to amend the zoning from RE1 ‘Public Recreation’ to R1 ‘General Residential’ and amend the minimum lot size for the land, to facilitate the residential land use of the site for affordable housing purposes.

As the Governor’s approval is required when a reclassification proposal seeks to remove any public reserve status or discharge any interests affecting public land, the Department in this instance will be authorised to exercise the functions of the Local Planning Making Authority (LPMA) under section 3.36(2) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, in accordance with the Gateway Determination issued on 5 December 2025.