THE Sandy Beach community continues to make its voice heard over a controversial development proposal on the Hearnes Lake floodplain.
As reported previously in NOTA, the development application (DA) from Elite Constructions proposes a 113-lot subdivision at Ti-Tree Road, Sandy Beach.
After being knocked back by the Northern Regional Planning Panel last year, a new iteration of the proposal is now on public exhibition via the City of Coffs Harbour’s DA tracker.
At the most recent rally against the development, at the Sandy Beach Foreshore Reserve on Saturday 7 March, the resounding battle cry was “Hearnes not houses”.
In excess of 250 people gathered to protest the proposal.
A host of community speakers expressed their disapproval of any development action that could compromise the sensitive and ecologically significant Hearnes Lake.
Garby Elder Aunty Deb Dootson performed a Welcome to Country and reflected on her close connection to the area, underlining the importance of preserving a floodplain which supports biotic communities and marine ecology.
Sandy Beach Action Group (SANDBAG) chair Dr Peter Quiddington said the community feeling towards the development was resolute.
“With this being the fifth DA the community has objected to, we are not getting fatigued, we are getting furious.
“The opposition to this disastrous development is only growing stronger,” he said, drawing loud applause from the placard-waving crowd.
SANDBAG member Ian Foskett said the potential risks were extreme.
“The impacts of dumping 180,000 cubic metres of fill on a floodplain attached to Hearnes Lake… will be catastrophic.
“Any rainfall event would result in construction fill placed on the floodplain to be swept from the site, a meagre 100m downstream, suffocating the endangered saltmarsh community (nursery and habitat for fish, prawns and birds) located at the southern end of Hearnes Lake.”
Residents have an opportunity to make a submission to the amended DA until 17 March 2026 via the City of Coffs Harbour’s DA Tracker.
Alternatively, you can mail your submission addressed to Council’s General Manager to Locked Bag 155, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450 or email to coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au.
NOTA attempted to contact Elite Constructions Pty Ltd for comment, but received no response prior to deadline.
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