Northern Star - Pressure again on for Lennox Head
17 March, 2007
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Once again, Lennox Head is in the development spotlight with the $60 million purchase of the Pacific Pines Estate.
Lennox is a pressure cooker – not surprising, given its appeal. But some would argue that Lennox is already over-developed. Traffic is a crush through town and youth facilities are below par. In fact, Lennox is one of the worst centres of youth misbehaviour.
So any new development in and around the town has to think of its impact beyond its own patch of real estate. Fortunately, the new owners of Pacific Pines, the Brisbane company Petrac, are showing early signs of a responsible community attitude.
The massive 80-hectare site already has a level of residential approval and the owners have identified a tavern, shops, child care facilities, community hall and a sports field.
But it is the focus on retirement housing that is particularly relevant for our area. It's good to see retirement residential living included in the development.
We urge the developers to integrate the retirement homes within the broader community. In that way, people learn to understand the differing needs of a range of people.
We have already witnessed in parts of Byron Shire where uncontrolled holiday letting has ruined the amenity for some permanent residents.
Russell Eldridge, Editor