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Leading developer, Bradcorp, today announced that their proposed $1 billion residential community development at Wilton has had a significant win with local Council, after more than four years of deliberation in their efforts to rezone the land from rural to residential.

Mr. Peter Brennan, Chief Executive of Bradcorp says, "This approval by Wollondilly Council is significant, as it is one of the largest land rezonings in the Sydney region for some years. It has been a highly complicated process where all parties involved were committed to reaching a resolution on a variety of difficult issues, following a protracted period of objections from a couple of government agencies. It is now up to the State Government for their approval."

Bradcorp and BHP Billiton have made groundbreaking progress in discussions to ensure the security of the coal resource and its extraction, without impacting the proposed housing development to be known as Wilton Park. Both Bradcorp and BHP Billiton have agreed to work together throughout the development application phases to resolve remaining key issues and take advantage of opportunities that benefit both Wilton Park and the ability of BHP Billiton to undertake the underground mining.

Mr. Brennan adds, "Most importantly, this reinforces our commitment that mining and development can co-exist".

Mr. Brennan explains that the progress achieved by both Bradcorp and BHP Billiton provides a model for wider application in the Sydney region on how the two industries can co-exist and work together to achieve better than normal environmental and economic outcomes below and above the surface.

A major obstacle faced by Bradcorp was objections by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), who feared the establishment of a residential community could sterilise the natural resources under the land. However, Bradcorp reached an agreement with the DMR for it to remain viable, allowing coal mining and at the same time enabling new communities to be established. The access to the resource and the ability to mine is guaranteed. This has been achieved through Bradcorp agreeing to grant BHP Billiton rights to the surface of the land allowing the construction of the infrastructure needed to mine the coal reserves underneath their proposed development site at Wilton.

Bradcorp will also investigate innovative arrangements with the BHP Billiton to supply the proposed new community with gas extracted from within the coal seams beneath the site and looking at ways the water discharged from the mines can be used by the new community. Gas and water must be removed from the working area of the mine to allow mining to safely proceed.

The project will be known as Wilton Park. It involves a 1,290 hectare parcel of land located at Wilton, approximately 60km southwest of Sydney at the gateway to the Southern Highlands. The first stage of the proposed development is approximately 420 hectares and consists of a community estate with 1,165 residential lots, a championship golf course and country club, a primary school and approximately 200 hectares of open space.

According to Mr. Brennan, Wilton Park will set a benchmark for sustainability in residential development.

He says, "A strong focus on ecological, water and waste management will make Wilton Park a model for truly sustainable development in the future. In addition to focusing on the retention and restoration of the natural habitat of the site, the ecological plan for this project includes a 120 hectare natural reserve to be dedicated to an environmental trust."

During the past three years, extensive community consultation has taken place through Wilton Park Reference Panel, the Wilton Progress Association and the Wollondilly Council.

Mr. Brennan adds, "We have received strong community support during this process. For a project of this size not to have had any formal objections from the public, is testament to the community consultation process."

Bradcorp envisages that its Wilton Park development will increase local employment opportunities providing approximately 450 jobs through construction over 5 years, and 300 permanent jobs upon completion. In addition, Wilton Park's master planned community will overcome the shortage of housing, providing a viable location for professionals and business people relocating to the region.

Mr. Brennan says that in the unlikely event the proposed airport at Wilton proceeds, it will not affect Wilton Park.