Residents around a proposed Katoomba subdivision have registered a litany of concerns about the plans, including destruction of a declared Aboriginal place, damage to waterways and reduction of animal habitat.
The DA, now being considered by council, is seeking to have an area between Stuarts and Wellington roads Katoomba subdivided into 23 residential lots.
But locals said they feared the development would reduce water quality and flows in nearby creeks, destroy scenic escarpment and bushland views, and lead to further declines in threatened plants and animals.
They believe their peace and quiet will be lost during the years of construction work and will also ultimately affect their property values.
Long-term resident, Bob Talbot, who was born in Katoomba and has lived in Stuarts Road for several decades, was one of 29 who made a submission.
He opposed the development on several grounds, including its Indigenous significance and potential damage to waterways, with run off flowing to Katoomba Falls.
"This lot is one of the most sensitive areas of land remaining in the area, which is why previous proposals have been refused," he wrote.
This lot is one of the most sensitive areas of land remaining in the area.
- Bob Talbot
Records from the Land Registry Service show that the area is an Aboriginal place. Hansard shows it was declared as such by Bob Debus in 2002.
Local Indigenous woman, Jacinta Tobin, said the land was regarded as part of The Gully and was traditionally used by women giving birth.
"For the Gully people, this is serious. Please, we don't have a lot left. This is one [piece of land] the people grew up on."
