Lisarow R.A.I.D.

We are a dedicated group of local residents opposing inappropriate development in MacDonalds Road Lisarow.

Recently a D.A. was approved by Gosford City Council to convert a house into a meeting hall for 40 members of the Exclusive Brethren (E.B.) and eight car spaces. Lisarow R.A.I.D has seen pre-DA plans for a much larger building to accommodate 650 members, 172 cars and bus parking. Residents are concerned about what may be built on the remaining section of land in the future.

Typical EB meeting halls have operational hours of:
Sundays: 6am - 8pm
Mondays to Saturdays: 6am - 8pm (10 days per year)
Mondays to Saturdays: 8am - 9.30pm (remainder of year).
Source: www.theexclusivebrethren.com

Our Aim

To prevent an increase in traffic and associated problems to the Lisarow, Ourimbah & Holgate area.
To avoid an increase in runoff to Bangalow Creek with associated pollution and flooding to roads and properties adjacent to the creek, including Lisarow Primary school.
To avoid the status and nature of the Lisarow area being changed
To protect the extensive wildlife in the area
To preserve an area of scenic beauty for future generations
To ensure the character of the valley is not compromised
To defeat the expected DA which will impact enormously on our social, physical, and psychological environment and well being.

Lisarow R.A.I.D. is not in favour of the EB development. MacDonalds Road is a narrow, winding road that is already heavily used by people travelling over The Ridgeway from Erina to the Pacific Highway, Lisarow.

Our part of this small valley is a quiet, scenic, rural area with a country lane running through it. Our valley boasts 2 creeks which join to become Bangalow Creek and is home to diverse flora and fauna species.

Lisarow R.A.I.D. wants to see the peaceful and beautiful nature of this valley remain unspoilt, and traffic levels on this narrow and winding road kept to a minimum.

Proposed Plan Map

Several Aerial views can be chosen by selecting the text tabs below. Close zoom maps show detailed proposed plans for our valley. The Far zoom maps show where our valley is with respect to the Pacific Hwy.

Links to Google Maps can be found by clicking here.

Close Zoom with Boundaries + Roads

Close Zoom without Boundaries

Far View with Roads

Far View without Roads

News Items

20/12/2009

NEW: Happy Holidays: LisarowRAID would like to thank all visitors and petitioners for their active contributionand hours volunteered to the cause. Your help is much appreciated! Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

19/12/2009

NEW: Subdivision process: LisarowRAID are watching with interest the subdivision process with council but no decision or actions have been made yet. The hall has appeared ready for use for many months but no meetings have been held. Watch this space for more updates soon!

23/05/2009

PAST: Application for extention approved: Gosford City Council approved the application for extensions to the house diagonally opposite the meeting hall. Raid was able to express their concerns at the site inspection and Council meeting. Approval was given with the following provisions: the residence be used solely for private residential use and every tree removed was to be replaced by two native trees.

The newspaper article link is: Express Advocate, Friday May 15th

9/04/2009

ACTIVE: Lodging Objections - Information and Template: Following requests for more information on how to lodge an objection to the proposed subdivision we have created a flyer with some guidelines to assist. Please note it is important that the letters or emails be individual as "form letters" are ineffective. We thank the Community for their interest and support.

Please click here for further information flyer which provides guidlines for your objections to the DA.

Lisarow R.A.I.D. would additionally like to thank all whom attended the Sausage Sizzle and for feedback and suggestions to the website and our cause. Thanking you again!

8/04/2009

PAST: Updated Media Links & Current New Items: Links have been provided for the latest and current news items generated by our local media. Please click the thumbnail to enlarge the newspaper article or click the hyperlinks to follow information to the source websites.

NBN TV - Exclusive Brethren Lodge DA

29/03/2009

ACTIVE: Brethren Submit New Development Application: The Exclusive Brethren have applied to council for permission to subdivide the 'meeting hall' site they purchased at 131 & 147 MacDonalds Road. The proposal is to subdivide the site into six blocks. One of these blocks is still to be developed into the large 650 place meeting hall. Objections to the proposal DA 36237/2009 must be received at Council by the 17th of April.
Residents are concerned about the following issues:

The continued goal of the huge hall and its impact on the area.
The use of the other subdivided sites - Will they be openly sold or kept for 'Exclusive' purposes?
If the use is for 'Exclusive' residential purposes will this give a greater voice to the Brethren for the meeting hall to be approved? Already another property (or 2) in the road has been acquired by the Brethren.
If the subdivision is for 'other' purposes, is a school, etc now on the drawing board?
Will the platypus and other fauna on the site be safe? Is respect for the environment a priority?
Dismay was felt by residents over the treatment of the creek during the renovations on the site, and in the use of underground water pumped across the street to this property (left running for 14 hours in one instance).
Should blocks less than 2 hectares be approved, especially when some relate to the protected 7a zoning (Conservation and Scenic Protection) and the remainder are 7c2 (scenic protection) zone?
Is the very limited (proposed) buffer zone between the creek and the development on the blocks adequate?
Some sites are low lying, and with heavy rain retain water or flood.
With one narrow road access to the area will residents and the meeting hall congregation be able to escape in emergency situations like the Victorian 'Black Saturday' bushfires?

This valley is an extremely rare and beautiful place and needs to be protected and preserved for the future generations.Click HERE for the new proposed plans!

28/03/2009

PAST: Additional application for Brethren Development: A further application for development has occurred. This involves extensions to a home near the meeting hall, owned by an Exclusive Brethren member. The extension will take the size of the home to over 650 square metres. We wonder if a palace for 2 is being proposed, or is this an additional meeting place for the Exclusive Brethren?

09/02/2009

PAST: Brethren Submit Development Application: The Exclusive Brethren have submitted a development application to Council to subdivide lots 2 and 3 ( the meeting hall site and adjoining lot). The subdivision is for 5 blocks of land. We are investigating and will post updates as information becomes available.

03/01/2009

PAST: Renovations near completion: Exclusive Brethren have nearly completed the renovation of the existing building. The site and road have been very busy on Saturdays. A substantial workforce was present to work on the building and the site itself. Trucks have been coming and going.

10/12/2008

ACTIVE: How the Exclusive Brethren Hall Affects YOU: We have recently been asked how the meeting hall would affect people who don't live close to the development. A copy of our reply has been placed in the 'Frequently Asked Question' section. We thought this was a very relevant point and would like to encourage readers of our site to email us questions and suggestions.

Lisarow RAID, Exclusive Brethren, Kincumber, Green Point, Avoca, Davistown, Saratoga, Erina, Gosford, Umina, Woy Woy, Empire Bay, Bensville, Copacabana, Macmasters, Wamberal, Springfield, Point Claire, Wagstaffe, Tascot, Koolewong, St Huberts Island, Daleys Point, Orange Grove, Booker Bay, Forester Beach, Tumbi Umbi, Bateau Bay, Killcare, Ettalong, Yattalunga, North, South, East, West, Harteys Bay, Pretty Beach, Wyoming, Lisarow, Narara, Niagra Park, Kariong, Ourimbah.