The controversial Terra Ag development application saga is set to continue, with the matter scheduled to be heard in Griffith Local Court on Tuesday afternoon.
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A number of opponents to the proposal will be giving evidence on Tuesday, with reports judgment on the matter will be later delivered in Sydney.
In July Griffith City Council voted to block the Terra Ag’s bid to build a fertiliser depot next to the site of the Sikh Temple after the proposal was met with outrage and fierce opposition, not only in the Sikh community, but from residents whose homes surrounded the site in question.
In June arguments for and against the development application were heard by a packed room at the Griffith Regional Theatre as an Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel brought in by council arbitrated the debate.
Council had moved to appoint the external panel in March after it received a letter from Terra Ag offering $10,000 towards an engineering assessment of a bridge while staff where assessing their development application.
Proponents for the development argued the business was allowed within the ‘B6 industrial zone’ but objectors said it was actually a bulk fertiliser storage facility, prohibited under Griffith’s Local Environment Plan.
The Sikh community further argued against the development, saying it was inappropriate it be located next their most sacred place.
Ultimately the independent panel recommended council approve the development application, subject to a number of conditions, but its powers were advisory only, meaning the final decision still lay with council.
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