The planned $6.7 million Marys Mount Road complex won unanimous approval amid little discussion at last Tuesday’s council meeting. The 22-bed facility will provide accommodation for people with disabilities.

The project also comprises car parking, accessible ramps, retaining walls, fencing and landscaping.

Cr Margaret O’Neill, the Foundation’s CEO, declared a pecuniary conflict of interest in the matter at Tuesday’s meeting and absented herself from Tuesday’s debate. Cr Peter Walker, a former Foundation president, declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest and remained in the room.

The land’s use, dubbed seniors housing under the Local Environmental Plan, is not permitted in the SP2 Infrastructure zone in which it sits. But planners said it was permissable under clause 5.3 of the LEP, relating to development near zone boundaries.

This clause provides for flexibility, where it can be established a use on the other side of the boundary is “more logical and appropriate and can be compatible with adjoining land uses and objectives.”

Council planners concluded the accommodation was “needed community infrastructure,” was “predominantly residential in nature” and would not have any amenity impacts on neighbours.

After the meeting, Cr O’Neill said the new building was a long time coming.

“We’ve been working with the (State) Liberal and Labor governments for 12 years to get the land (formerly part of Mulwaree High School),” she said.

“This will be great for Goulburn and the region because the goal is to bring in young people (aged 18-35). A lot of people who qualify for the NDIS don’t have accommodation in Goulburn and district.”

While conditional approval is locked in, the funds aren’t. Cr O’Neill said while the Foundation had assets to sell and money in the bank, it would also be borrowing funds and applying for grants to make up the shortfall.

But it will also be appealing to the Goulburn community. 

“Just like Abbeyfield (a local facility for people with disabilities), we have to go out and raise the money,” Cr O’Neill said.

“We’ve put in for grants but we needed the DA approval first. We’ll be also asking people to donate; as we’re a charity, they can claim it back on their tax…We’ll be going out all guns blazing.”

She’s considering hosting a ball to make the effort more “community friendly.”

Challenge Foundation vice-president Kieran Davies said the organisation “fully expected and was delighted by the approval.”

“It enables us to go forward with the the project,” he said.

“...We will now need to fine tune the development so it’s spot on for clients.”

A business plan has been completed, factoring in government funding for the 22 clients. But Mr Davies said the Foundation would look at possible staging of the project according to demand.

Nevertheless he believed there was a hole in the care needs for people with disabilities. While children were well catered for, adults either had to go to group homes or aged care facilities which were inappropriate for their needs.

The Foundation hasn’t set a timeframe on the development, given the funding challenges. Cr O’Neill previously said local builders and tradespeople would be employed during construction.

The complex will comprise three inter-connecting buildings, including administration and two accommodation areas. It is expected to create an extra 20 to 30 ongoing jobs, according to the business plan.

“It is something very positive for Goulburn,” Cr O’Neill said.

The approval is subject to conditions.

Retired Mulwaree High School Agriculture and head science teacher Bill Needham successfully argued in a submission that predator proof fencing be erected before construction started.

He wanted to protect the adjoining farm and associated enterprises the school worked so assiduously to establish. 

The institution erected a 2.3km long, 3m high electrified predator proof fence around its field studies project, which had kept feral animals out, Mr Needham said. It had also later protected wetlands established on the site, a box woodland community, two threatened species and bandicoot habitat study.

The school also established other farm projects, such as a solar/wind facility, an Aboriginal food and bush medicine trail, an archaeological site and had undertaken a biological control study with Goulburn Mulwaree Council to eradicate Patterson’s Curse.

“There has been considerable investment in this multi-faceted project by government and non-government experts. The integrity of these facets needs to be maintained,” Mr Needham wrote.

“The entire facility is an investment in our city and district youth regarding their environmental education, an important attribute in today’s society.” 

Consequently, similar predator fencing will be erected around the Foundation’s east, south and west boundaries.