News
8 July, 2026
Planning panel knocks back family compound in Exeter
Wingecarribee Shire’s Local Planning Panel has knocked back plans for a massive family compound at Exeter.
Wingecarribee Shire’s Local Planning Panel has knocked back plans for a massive family compound at Exeter.
As reported by The Southern Wire, Sydney-based developer Rafi Assouline lodged plans for the massive $21 million home on “pristine” land at 267 Bundanoon Road (DA 26/2375).
Opponents labelled the proposed development as an “unprecedented threat” to the environment.
The DA was for the construction of a main dwelling as well as a secondary dwelling, stable building, tennis court and pavilion, water feature, playground, fire-fighting access road, on-site wastewater management systems, utility works, stormwater works, landscaping, walking trails and associated works.
The main dwelling was to feature indoor and outdoor pools, gymnasium, poker room, bowling alley, indoor and outdoor spas, music room, home cinema and an indoor sports room.
One objector said the application should be rejected on the grounds of misrepresentation, claiming it was a “small hotel” rather than a family home.
Another objector said the bulk, scale and design of both the principal and secondary dwellings as well as auxiliary buildings and landscaping would have a “serious detrimental impact on the agricultural value and rural landscapes of the immediate locality”.
Another objector said she would prefer a “tastefully congruous inclusion in this beautiful part of the world” as opposed to a “dramatic alteration”.
According to a Statement of Environmental Effects lodged with council, the proposed dwelling “will be of a scale that is larger than the more traditional housing that is common throughout the area”.
“The unique and impressive dwelling is designed as a multi-generational, extended family space with shared living, socialising and recreational areas combined with multiple bedrooms and private spaces.”
It said the proposed principal dwelling would be large but the setting was “unobtrusive and private”.
“As such the development retains the existing character of the locality of rural lots with residential occupation, in a low-density environment enjoying privacy and seclusion”.
The Planning Panel disagreed.
It provided a long list of reasons for refusing the DA after its June meeting and said it could not be satisfied the development was permitted with consent on the land because it had been incorrectly characterised as a dwelling house.
“The proposal exhibits characteristics more commonly associated with a resort-style tourist and visitor facility, recreational facilities or other non-residential land use”.
It determined that the size and scale of building, its siting and visual impact were all “unacceptable”.
“The size, scale, design and extent of the development is incompatible with the agricultural and rural use of land in the vicinity and would likely have an adverse impact on the use and future viability of surrounding agricultural land,” it said.
The Planning Panel said the development was “not in the public interest” and “inconsistent with the desired future character of rural residential development in the locality.”
Council received 33 submissions objecting to the proposal but none in support.
A report prepared by staff said the applicant had not undertaken any pre-lodgement consultation with council and no pre-lodgement consultation appeared to have been undertaken between the applicant and any external agencies.
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