PLANNERS are reviewing the Kings Hill development following a Department of Defence report showing future noise from Williamtown RAAF base will affect the new 5000-lot town at North Raymond Terrace.
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Port Stephens Council's planning boss David Broyd said plans for Kings Hill expected to house 12,000 people when complete "may have to be modified".
The council will review the plans and the draft Local Environment Plan for Kings Hill to submit to Planning Minister Kristina Keneally, who has the final say.
Mr Broyd stressed the plan would only be changed if planners thought it necessary.
"Some of the residential areas, for example, may need to be modified or there may be school sites that possibly need to be relocated," he said.
The Department of Defence began public consultation sessions yesterday after the public release of an environmental study into the impact of the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The Joint Strike Fighter is due to arrive at Williamtown in 2017, and the report shows part of Kings Hill will be classified as noise-affected.
The affected part of the new town is in the Australian Noise Exposure Forecast 20-25 range, which permits residential development only if steps are taken to block out some noise.
In recent months, Kings Hill developer Mondell Property Group has directed media inquiries about the proposal to a Newcastle-based communications company.
When asked for a comment on the noise report yesterday, the company did not return The Herald's calls.
However, a Mondell spokesman said in January the development "will be in a great position even if the plane is louder".
"[The development will be well placed] given the use of modern-day construction methods when compared to the remainder of the housing in Raymond Terrace and surrounding areas that may need attenuation to bring houses up to Australian standards," the spokesman said.
