Plans to double the size of Gundaroo split community

Supporters of rezoning say they like the big plot sizes in the two proposed 40-hectare subdivisions, and say more housing will increase the viability of local businesses and schools.

But opponents, including the Gundaroo Community Association, say infrastructure won't cope, and doubling the number of homes will spoil Gundaroo's heritage and village character.

Community association president Anne Barwick said vacant land within the village should be developed first before pushing out boundaries.

Submissions say although there are vacant blocks choice is limited. Other submitters counter this, saying nearby Canberra is full of empty units and shops without the need to build more homes in Gundaroo.

Ms Barwick said Gundaroo's 1849 grid layout was still intact and locals wanted to preserve it.

"The other concern is more of a public health issue, we get flooding here, and the last flood at the end of December 2011, the main street was flooded, affecting the septic system, and effluent leached into the waterway," she said.

Paul Carmody's 'Kyeema' development proposes 2100 sq m and 12,000 sq m lots on the north side of Gundaroo, while Salvestro Planning proposes developing a 40-hectare site known as "Sutton Road and FaithfullStreet".

Yass Valley Council has referred the proposals to the NSW Government's Planning and Environment Department and extended the period for consultation and submissions.

The council says size and timing of each stage is critical, and expansion must be done sustainably. Referring the proposals for NSW Planning's determination did not commit the council to supporting the proposals.

The council says the community has no apparent desire for significant growth.

But the two proposals have attracted many submissions of support, including ones that say young families and development will invigorate Gundaroo.

"Local businesses have grown, and there are cafes and restaurants flourishing, employing local youth," says one submitter. "There are soccer teams and other social organisations that have thrived because of the influx of people. It is important for the health of the village that it continue to grow and change, while maintaining the sense of community it has."

Yass council says the site's strategic location is consistent with the Sydney-Canberra corridor regional strategy and has been previously endorsed by the NSW director-general as part of the Yass Valley Town and Villages study.

But Ms Barwick said the proposals' boundary expansion contradicted that regional strategy which recommended: "Opportunities for village lifestyle within a more sustainable context will continue to be provided by careful infill development within the numerous rural villages in the region."

Ms Barwick said the council's flood plain study should be completed first and recommendations implemented before land was rezoned.

She said people were becoming anxious about going to the local pub because of being badgered to support the two proposals.

The developers did not return calls to the Canberra Times.