A STALEMATE continues over the Armidale Ex-Services Club's plans for a $10 million motel development.
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It's been three months since staff from the club met in Sydney with state government officials and Armidale Dumaresq Council staff members in a bid to resolve the motel's planning issues.
Armidale Ex-Services Club’s new chief executive Scott Sullivan said no progress had yet been made.
"There's nothing to tell at this stage, but we're working on it," he said.
Mr Sullivan, with support from retired CEO Bob Ryan, said he had been working with the Servies board to come up with a new proposal to alleviate concerns of a one-in-100-year flood at the site, located near Dumaresq Creek.
The club has been pushing for the motel development for more than two years, but has not been able to appease Council or the regional planning panel with its flood plans.
Last year, the council suggested that the club should build a bridge between the motel and the Armidale Plaza shopping complex.
It was dubbed by Mr Ryan as the “bridge to nowhere” at the time.
Subsequent suggestions included the provision of a lifeboat or helipad at the proposed motel. Mr Sullivan said he was hopeful that all parties would be able to agree on an outcome in the near future.
“We're certainly hopeful that the development will get approved,” he said.
Armidale Dumaresq Council general manager Shane Burns said the council was also eager to see a result on the development.
“Council has been unfairly criticised in regards to its role in the development process,” he said.
“It needs to be understood that approvals rely on ticking all the boxes for state legislative compliance and managing risk to future ratepayers, from claims on personal and property damage caused by flood events.
“Council has been advised by its insurers that it will not be covered against claims should it approve a development application that does not satisfy flooding risk.
“The Ex-Services Club consultants and management have been working in consultation with Council management on a proposal to deal with flood management, to place before the relevant state government agencies.
“The state agencies’ agreement to flood management strategies and gaining of insurance cover will be critical to the future of a development application.”