Infrastructure limitations

It would seem that Portland is at capacity when it comes to infrastructure and cannot accommodate more residents. Water and Sewage, as well as roads are not being maintained to suit the population and growth is unsustainable at current government spending levels.

"Portland Sewage Treatment Plant has a capacity of 2,200 EP (Equivalent Persons). This plant has no residual capacity and is operating at full loading. It also requires upgrades however the NSW Minister for Water has advised that it is not possible for the Portland Plant to be included in the current round of Country Towns Water and Sewerage funding and a new round will not occur until after 2017.  The Department of Public Works will investigate on Council’s behalf options for improvements pending a plant upgrade."

This is fairly easy to understand. Population for sewage treatment is at capacity and there's no room for growth until at least 2017. There's no money being allocated for maintenance let alone improvements. It's unclear as to why, but apparently it's not wholly Council's responsibility.

"The identified residual capacity for the Fish River Water Supply Scheme 

(treated water) is an upper limit of 3,042 households or a population of 7,605."  

Water supply is not so easy to understand as Portland does not have an independent water supply. Our water comes from the Fish River Scheme which is stored in Oberon Dam. This water supply is shared with other towns. It is unclear in these documents how many households or population are currently supplied. It does appear to be inadequate, particularly during drought.

So on one hand we've got land being put aside for higher than current density housing and on the other, no plans to upgrade sewage until 2017 and inadequate water supply to urban areas.

Confuncted?

I know I am.

Let's not even think about roads at this stage.

Lot sizes for new urban residential development

Plans to develop new residential land use designations in Portland are intended to "reflect desired future character and density of residential areas". It is proposed that three categories be created:

• General Residential   600m² 

• Medium Density Residential 400m²  

• Low Density Residential 800m²

Reference: Lithgow City Council, 2011, Draft Lithgow Land Use Strategy 2010-2030, Ch 11 Action 11.3


The largest of these lots defined as "low density" at 800m2, is at the smaller end of current lot sizes in Portland. Medium density housing in Portland would look out of place and inconsistent with the character of the town.

Tai Chi on Thursdays

Tai Chi classes are being held Thursday mornings 9am at the rear of the Uniting Church in Wolgan Street. Anyone is welcome to join.

Proposed Land Use Strategy

The current LEP (1994) has Portland town centre and it's built up surrounds zoned as rural village (2v).



Under the proposed land use strategy, rezoning of the town area will occur with areas designated for specific use.



The adopted Land Use Strategy will set the framework for future land use management in the Lithgow Local Government Area. Once adopted Council will use the Strategy to inform the preparation of its new comprehensive Local Environmental Plan (LEP), which sets more specific rules for development within the area.
                                                         - taken from the document




Submissions are being accepted until close of business on 16th June and it is vital that residents and business voice their opinions on this important matter. One of the aspects getting the most attention seems to be the proposed minimum rural lot size of 400ha (1000 acres), but there are other parts of this document which could also prove important to ratepayers.

Lithgow Council need to be commended for making this a most inaccessible document and in an attempt to make sense of it, we will attempt to link through to key areas for consideration by the wider Portland community.

Do you have any thoughts or opinions on the current strategy document?