The MIR Group of Companies lodged the development application in September to subdivide a 32.8 hectare tract of land to the north of the Bathurst Supa Centre and bounded by Limekilns Road to the north, Ashworth Road to the south-west, residential dwellings to the north-west and agricultural grazing land to the east.

It is a key development in one of the fastest growing areas of the Bathurst region that is set to house hundreds of new families as the region’s population heads towards an estimated 53,361 by 2036.

Council has now approved the subdivision but attached a long list of conditions, including the Section 94 (developer contribution) fees.

They include $1,906,039 for the provision of community facilities, $467,968 for stormwater drainage management, $1,213,368 towards the upgrade of roads in Bathurst’s development suburbs, and $659,412 for the purchase of open space within the development suburbs.

The developer will also be required to plant advanced trees in front of each of the 312 lots, or pay $372.20 per lot (about $116,000 in total) to have the trees planted for them, plus $200 for each of the 38 street signs to be included in the development.

Further costs include water and sewer charges, plus council inspection fees.

A Statement of Environmental Effects submitted with the DA says the project would comprise standard and dual occupancy lots, together with internal roads, services and open space.

“Limekilns Road currently features kerb and guttering along most of its length near the property, but only on the northern side at the property frontage,” the SoEE states.

MAP: Where is the approved subdivision …

“The frontage of the property along Limekilns Road would be upgraded to provide kerb and gutter and street lighting.

The Ashworth Road subdivision was one of two Kelso developments lodged with council.

A decision on the second DA - for 123 residential lots off Graham Drive and Marsden Lane – is still pending.

Hynash Constructions is the developer of the site which stands at the eastern edge of the existing Trinity Heights residential area.

The SoEE says project would consolidate two lots of land totalling almost 90 hectares, with plenty of scope for future development.

“The proposed subdivision consists of 123 allotments with a number of new proposed external roads and the extension of Wentworth and Graham Drive providing access to the residential lots,” the SoEE states.

“There is also a linkage proposed to the south, east and north that will enable future subdivision.”

The proposed lots will range in size from 780-1505 square metres, with plans to develop the entire site in a single stage.

Between them, the two developments will boost Kelso’s population by more than 1000 people.