During the public forum, Alex Irwin said the traffic study was based on a number of assumptions and volumes would exceed subdivision guidelines.

“In the council’s own assessment, they referenced the fact that the number of vehicles exceed the subdivision development code,” he said. 

“It’s my understanding the code was adopted in 1997 and those two cul de sac developments [in Orange, which also exceed the code] were approved in 1992 and 1994,” he said.

MAP: Where is the proposed domestic violence crisis centre …

Craig Guyer said the street was often used by pedestrians to access the wetlands.

“The street is full of kids on bikes and playing – I’d hate to see kids feel threatened by the excess traffic,” he said.

Mr Irwin said there would be various security measures, including CCTV and design.

“My big issue is that there are all aimed at securing the facility – we have a legitimate concern that despite [aggravated domestic violence orders] being in place, there is the potential for perpetrators to end up in our neighbourhood,” he said. 

He said his stepdaughter had an order against a former partner.

“She was attacked in secure housing and an innocent bystander was injured – ADVOs aren’t the secure measure they’re made out to be,” he said. 

Laurian Ginns said the assessment focused on the need for the facility.

“What’s absent is any consideration towards the people that are being impacted by this proposal – our quality of life, our families and our activities,” she said.

“If we talk about supporting our community and caring about everybody, that has been entirely absent.”

Housing Plus head of community services Penny Dordoy said police responded to 800 incidents of domestic violence a year in Orange alone and the communal living style of other refuges could act as a deterrent for women leaving violent relationships.

“Currently, women have to go to Bathurst, Forbes, Dubbo or further afield to find a refuge with an available bed,” she said. 

“This means uprooting their children from school, moving away from family, friends, church, community and employment.”

She said the six self-contained units with 24-hour security and access to counselling was recommended by a Victorian Royal Commission as the best way to help victims.

“It needs to be part of a residential area with connections to community, work and school,” she said.   

Chief executive officer David Fisher said the surrounding subdivision would act as a barrier between The Orchard and existing residents, and Housing Plus had no intention of buying any blocks for social housing “as speculated”. 

Central West Police District community safety precinct committee member Paul Cox supported Housing Plus, with a list of 200 businesses and community groups supporting the development.