Kings Hill Urban Release Area
The Kings Hill Urban Release Area (KHURA) is in the Port Stephens LGA, 8km north of Raymond Terrace. To give you an idea of scale, the map below spans an area between Six Mile Rd and Newline Rd and has a border with the Pacific Highway.
The land area is over 800ha and the plan is for around 3,500 new dwellings to be constructed here. Plans also include a small town centre with retail and professional services, a highway service centre for vehicles, tourist activities, school, hotel and public open space. According to the KHURA economic benefit assessment “the purpose of the development is to provide a vibrant community that promotes a healthy lifestyle and is attractive to both residents with its access to jobs and opportunity as well as tourists/visitors through its natural beauty.”
There are serious concerns about the scale of the current and planned removal of essential habitat for the endangered koala and an abundance of other species. Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens strongly supports the view that Port Stephens Council and the NSW State Government must realise that destruction of koala habitat is inconsistent with saving koalas in the wild and increases the risk of koalas being extinct in New South Wales by 2050.
In 2021, the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel referred the Kings Hill Concept Development Application (DA) to NSW Environment, Energy and Science for further assessment.
Koala Koalition convenor, Carmel Northwood said that “While the concept plan shows a large area set aside for ‘environmental conservation’, it relies on an unproven ‘enrichment strategy’ to replace good quality wildlife habitat, which will disappear under concrete. The plans to clear the development site in stages, in the hope that koalas will move to the enriched conservation areas, will likely result in chronic stress for the koalas which can impact their disease resistance, fertility and breeding success.”
In 2022, the koala was finally declared endangered in NSW – but will this listing save them?
An alliance of local organisations, led by Voice of Wallalong and Woodville, Koala Koalition and EcoNetwork, proposed that the Federal and State Governments combine resources to ensure Kings Hill land is protected in perpetuity as a conservation area/extension of National Park estate. This proposal did not find any traction.
After the Concept Plan for Kings Hill Urban Release Area (KHURA) was refused in February 2022 by the HCC JRPP, the developer lodged an appeal with the NSW Land and Environment Court. EcoNetwork groups, among others, presented at the hearing in February 2023. In August 2023, Commissioner Bish refused the appeal primarily because “the potential for significance of effect to native fauna; insufficient certainty on the provision of designated State significant infrastructure; likelihood of environmental impact; complex and disorderly development seeking to overcome potential adverse impacts; site not demonstrated as suitable for proposed (and future) development; and not in the public interest.”
NSW LEC Commissioner Bish’s decision is being appealed again by KHD, on a matter of process. The hearing was to be held 27-29/5/24, Case No 2023/00299740. No decision has been divulged as yet.
In the meantime, three separate Development Applications have been proposed to Port Stephens Council that represent Precincts 6, 7 and 8 (Monarchs Rise) of the Kings Hill Urban Release Area (KHURA). We were aghast that this could happen while the appeal was in progress, but Council assured us they had no option but to consider these applications. Once again separate submissions were made by EcoNetwork groups and members of the public. Precinct 8, also called Monarchs Rise was approved by Council on 8 July 2024
The King’s Hill debate is far from over.
Here are some of our media releases and submissions to date, including the latest ones addressing concerns about Precincts 6 and 7:
Kings Hill Monarchs Rise Notice of Determination – approval July 2024
Kings Hill Monarchs Rise – Notice of Determination DA 16-2013-599-1 – approval by PSC July 2024 Read more
VOWW Submission – Kings Hill. Precinct 7.
Proposed Precinct Plan and 1 into 91 Lot Subdivision comprising 90 Residential Lots (including 4 Superlots), 1 Residual Lot, 9 new Roads, Drainage, Landscaping and associated Subdivision and Environmental Protection Works. This is a submission on behalf of VOWW, a not-for-profit community organisation representing the … Read more
VOWW Submission – Kings Hill. Precinct 6.
Proposed Precinct Plan and 1 into 79 Lot Subdivision comprising 78 Residential Lots (including 5 Superlots (1 for Mixed Use Purposes)), 1 Residual Lot, 15 new Roads, Drainage, Landscaping and associated Subdivision and Environmental Protection Works. This is a submission on behalf of VOWW, a … Read more
KKEPS Submission – Kings Hill Precinct 7 DA 16-2024-158 off Newline Rd (western)
The Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens (KKEPS) welcomes the opportunity to comment on this DA, being part of the larger landholding known as the Kings Hill Urban Release Area (KHURA). The Precinct 7 entry is proposed off Newline Road and is at the far west … Read more
KKEPS Submission – Kings Hill Precinct 6 DA 16-2024-174 Lot 41 DP 1037411
The Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens (KKEPS) welcomes the opportunity to comment on this DA, being part of the larger landholding known as the Kings Hill Urban Release Area (KHURA) which is often referenced in the proponent’s documentation. The proposed development at Precinct 6 will … Read more
VOWW Submission Kings Hill – Monarch’s Rise
Five into 100 lot Torrens title subdivision, clearing and associated site works. This submission is written on behalf of VOWW, a not-for-profit community organisation. We object to this proposal and give our arguments encompassing issues dealing with flooding, traffic, social and environmental issues. Read more
KKEPS Kings Hill – Monarch’s Rise
Five into 100 lot Torrens title subdivision, clearing and associated site works.
KKEPS wishes to acknowledge the consultation Council’s Natural Systems staff has held with the proponent of this development, particularly in regard to recent requests for further information including flora and fauna surveys and impact statements. Read more
Kings Hill Development Concept Plan – McCloy rebuttal as an opinion piece
We would like to challenge the opinion piece written by local developer Jeff McCloy on 15 th September 2023. On the 23rd August 2023, Commissioner Bish, following a hearing in the NSW Land and Environment Court, handed down her decision on the Kings Hill Development Concept Plan. Read more
Proposal for protection of native wildlife habitat at Kings Hill
We propose that the Federal & State Governments combine resources to ensure Kings Hill land is protected in perpetuity as a conservation area/extension of National Park estate. The proponent may well submit further modified proposals, however KHD may also decide that after the negative findings of the Regional … Read more
Joint IPCC Submission – Kings Hill – Concept DA for Residential Subdivision
Concept DA for Residential Subdivision and Stage Concept DA for Residential Subdivision and Stage 1 Works including Vegetation Clearing and Establishment of a Conservation Area. Read more
Media release KKEPS – koala listing and kings hill
Could the tide be changing, at last? Can the koala survive? The Federal Government’s Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, has finally released today the news that the conservation listing for koalas in NSW, ACT and QLD has been upgraded from Vulnerable to Endangered. Read more
Koala Koalition welcomes further scientific review of Kings Hill ‘new town’ at Raymond Terrace.
KKEPS media release 29 November 2021 – Koala Koalition welcomes further scientific review of Kings Hill ‘new town’ at Raymond Terrace. The Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens (KKEPS), formed earlier this year to campaign for habitat protection across the Local Government Area, has welcomed a … Read more
KKEPS Submission – Kings Hill.
Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens (KKEPS) strongly supports the view that Port Stephens Council and the NSW State Government must realise that destruction of koala habitat is inconsistent with saving koalas in the wild and increases the risk of koalas being extinct in New South … Read more