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-Locals fear housing plan will change face of Bungendore-

By FRANK CASSIDY
A housing development in Bungendore that would double the township's
population in three years should be sent back to the drawing board,
according to local residents who fear it would threaten the rural character
of the village.

Elmslea Village Estate at Bungendore North, with a plan to build 360 homes
over 20 years, was approved by Yarrowlumla Shire Council in 1993 but
development has been slow with only 50 homes established since then.
Today's buoyant real estate market and the involvement of prominent
Queanbeyan-based developer Alex Brinkmeyer has fast-tracked the remaining
stages of the development, and the number of proposed home sites has been
increased to about 500, prompting a backlash from residents.

According to a former mayor of Yarrowlumla and Bungendore representative on
the shire council, Miles Flanagan, the latest plan did not reflect the
original intentions of the council and had not been approved.

''This is a much more congested development.

''It doesn't appear to have as much open space.''

Questions hung over the availability of water for the new home sites, the
suitability of a planned road bridge to connect the estate to Bungendore
village and flood planning.
''There are a number of improvements that need to occur with the draft.
''There are a few concerns in the village that's for sure.''

Mr Flanagan has called a public meeting for next Tuesday to ''put all the
issues on the table".

Deputy mayor of Yarrowlumla Jim Maclachlan rejected Mr Flanagan's concerns,
saying the development was essential to the future of the village.

''If you can get the population it will ensure the viability of the
supermarket, ensure the viability of the newsagent and could be enough to
support a doctor. ''People make commerce.''

The new plan met the council's development control plan and had been
approved, Mr Maclachlan said.
Mr Brinkmeyer suggested opponents look closely at the plan.

''It's exactly what was planned except it's been refined.'' He accused Mr

Flanagan of being ill-informed, saying that as a councillor he was
irresponsible for not collecting all the facts.

''He's trying to beat this up for his own benefit because he is unhappy
about no longer being mayor.'' Tuesday's public meeting will be held in the

Bungendore school community hall at 7pm. Mr Brinkmeyer, shire councillors
and council staff have been invited to attend.