Central Western Daily

Have your say on access to new domestic violence refuge located at Ploughman's Hill

Have your say on access to new domestic violence refuge located at Ploughman's Hill
Have your say on access to new domestic violence refuge located at Ploughman's Hill

This is sponsored content for Ploughman's Hill Community Group.

Community housing provider, Housing Plus, is soon to begin work on 'The Orchard', the recently approved domestic violence crisis centre to be located off George Weily Place within the Ploughman's Hill estate.

There is little doubt that a domestic violence refuge is needed in Orange. The rate of domestic violence is reportedly double the state average.

Unfortunately, neither Housing Plus nor council has made any legitimate effort to consult with the residents of George Weily Place and Ploughman's Hill to address concerns or consider the very reasonable request for modification to the entry point to the new facility.

So why is consultation about the development in Ploughman's Hill so important? There are three main reasons; legal, ethical and practical.

As proponents of a significant development that has potential impact on the amenity of an area both Orange City Council and Housing Plus have legal obligations under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act to consult with residents who may be impacted and assess the social impacts of a development.

The spirit of this law is that those impacted are not simply told about changes but actively consulted to minimise the impact and ensure that reasonable concerns are addressed collaboratively.

Have your say on access to new domestic violence refuge located at Ploughman's Hill
Have your say on access to new domestic violence refuge located at Ploughman's Hill

The ethical is most relevant to Orange City Council. This development involves significant financial outlay of ratepayer money.

The onus is on the council to protect the interests of ratepayers and to be seen to do so in a consultative and transparent manner.

The practical element goes to Housing Plus. The stated reason for positioning of 'The Orchard' in an established residential area is so those in need are placed immediately into a supportive environment.

It is therefore in Housing Plus' interest to ensure that the established residents are supportive of the development.

Legally, ethically and practically, consultation is vital in the consideration of 'The Orchard' at Ploughman's Hill. Unfortunately, what has occurred to date has failed on all counts.

Failures of the due process include:

  • The application was timed to minimise public scrutiny and disadvantage those who would be affected.
  • The assessment contained doubtful and misleading information on existing and future traffic conditions.
  • Key impact assessments were undertaken inadequately or not completed at all.
  • Objections and reasonable suggestions have been ignored.
  • Requests for information have been ignored or rejected.
  • Commitments were made to consider alternatives but then withdrawn without notice.
  • Ploughman's Hill community residents feel they have been portrayed as ill-informed, mean spirited and nasty

As a result, emotions have been elevated, facts have been ignored or forgotten and reasonable suggestions sidelined.

Despite all this, all residents seek is a simple change of entry, away from the quiet, narrow and poorly aligned George Weily Place and on to either the Northern Distributor Road or the Escort Way.

Totally reasonable. Totally feasible. Totally achievable. Totally rejected without proper consultation.

Please join our petition to have council move entry to 'The Orchard' out of a quiet residential cul-de-sac.

Sign the petition here.

Thank you! Ploughman's Hill Community Group

This is sponsored content for Ploughman's Hill Community Group.