The NSW Department of Primary Industries rezoned the land to low density residential, with a small area of local centre commercial land, in 2011.

The concept plan allowed for 550 residential lots of about 800 square metres. 

In a report to councillors on Thursday night, development services director David Waddell said there were a number of concerns with the concept, including compromised solar access for many lots, topography not taken into account, potential drainage problems because the green corridor was not in the right place and a poorly-positioned retail centre.

He also noted traffic would be funnelled through a single road between Hawke Lane and Forest Road, which would likely create a bottleneck and conflict with The Springs, which is an Aboriginal heritage site. 

The report said as Shiralee started to be developed, the council had a window of opportunity to improve the concept.

Councillor Reg Kidd said he wanted the site kept for research purposes and the institute’s activities were valued in the millions of dollars.

“This land is more valuable for other purposes and we should be thinking about what we need, not more building blocks,” he said.

However, Mr Waddell pointed out it had already been rezoned and an application could be lodged tomorrow.

“This is just doing what they did, but better,” he said.

The council will seek permission from the state government to prepare revised plans and investigate the zoning and timing of a south Orange shopping precinct.