Council expected to give Uki hotel DA the rubber stamp
TWEED Shire Council officers are recommending that the development application for a new $2 million Mt Warning Hotel at Uki be approved at Thursday night's council planning meeting.
The recommendation will please Uki residents who are growing impatient for a new building to rise from the ashes of the popular Kyogle Rd hotel damaged beyond repair by fire in February 2013.
Of the 47 submissions that the application received during public consultation, the overwhelming majority were in favour of the DA.
But three people raised objections to the planned removal of three historic Hoop Pine trees which the owner, N & S Watson Pty Ltd, plans to replace with new plantings.
Other objections included questioning whether the development would retain the heritage conservation area character and visual appeal.
But council officers conclude that: "From a heritage perspective it would be preferable to ensure an appropriate building design with a staged removal/replanting of new Hoop Pines, than to have a poorly designed building with retained trees."
The DA is going before council this month for determination at the request of Greens Cr Katie Milne.
