Doubt over Kings Hill development

Councillors will consider a motion tonight to seek a staged approach to developing the new Raymond Terrace suburb’s infrastructure.

A council report said a Roads and Maritime Services requirement for an interchange on the Pacific Highway was estimated to cost developers more than $20 million.

The report says that route, to be the main access to the suburb, needs to be constructed before most of the land can be released.

Cr Bruce MacKenzie said the $20 million up-front expense gave him grave doubts over the suburb’s future, warning the bill may deter developers.

He urged the council to seek a meeting with NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard, Port Stephens MP Craig Baumann and Roads Minister Duncan Gay to find a way forward.

‘‘I’m concerned about whether it will ever get off the plans because of these exorbitant infrastructure costs,’’ Cr MacKenzie said. ‘‘Nobody will do it [under these requirements], nobody can afford to.

‘‘The council has spent a fortune on Kings Hill and the last thing I want to see is people bailing out.’’

About 350 blocks without direct highway access could be released before the intersection was complete using Newline Road as an access route, the council report said.

A Roads and Maritime Services spokeswoman said the authority was working through options with developers.

‘‘In the interim, [the authority] has agreed to a left-hand turn into the area from the Pacific Highway and access to Raymond Terrace via Newline Road,’’ she said.

‘‘No decision has been made about an interchange to date.’’

She said traffic volumes would be monitored until ‘‘a decision on appropriate access’’ was made.

Cr MacKenzie’s motion is expected to be considered at tonight’s meeting.