A planning proposal by Meriton seeking to build a hotel, shops and almost 2,000 new apartments in buildings up to 22 storeys high at Little Bay has been formally refused by Randwick City Council at its meeting on Tuesday 23 June 2020.

Council accepted the assessment by its staff that the proposal lacked strategic merit and was inconsistent with existing planning strategies for the area, including the State Government’s Eastern City District Plan and Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement and Housing Strategy.

It was also considered that the proposal was too bulky, too tall, would have adverse view impacts, overshadowing and importantly detract from the scenic coastal character of the area. Other key concerns include impacts to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage and the lack of transport infrastructure to support the densities proposed.

The 12.3-hectare site, known as Little Bay Cove, is located between Anzac Parade and Little Bay Beach just north of the former Prince Henry Hospital site which now includes low and medium residential development of 2-5 storeys.

Meriton purchased the Little Bay Cove site in March 2018 which came with completed public infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, a playground and an approved Masterplan for around 450 dwellings in buildings 2-5 storeys high.

To date, approximately 224 apartments have been built – mostly in the Illume and Solis buildings on Anzac Parade, and with the remaining dwellings anticipated to be built in the next 10 years.

The Meriton planning proposal to build 1,909 dwellings on site was lodged with Council on 4 September 2019 and an alternative plan submitted on 20 March 2020 after Council officers raised a number of concerns. The alternative plan reduces overall building heights from 22 to 17 storeys, but maintains the same number of dwellings and floor space ratio but increases the developable lot area by 18 per cent.

Randwick Mayor Danny Said says the Council refusal is consistent with advice from Council planners, Council’s Design Excellence Panel and the Randwick Local Planning Panel.

“This is a seriously flawed proposal by Meriton and a massive overdevelopment of a very sensitive site. How anybody could think building 1,909 units in towers up to 22 storeys on a site zoned for just 450 units in buildings up to 5 storeys high is beyond me.

“The Meriton plan would see the population of Little Bay doubled within just two per cent of the area of the suburb. That’s about 5,000 people jammed into one small site. This massive overdevelopment would have significant impacts on the amenity of the area, affect views, create overshadowing and create transport chaos.

“I’m very pleased Council has rejected this proposal and it sends a strong message that development on this site needs to be consistent with the existing masterplan and respect the unique coastal character and low to medium density of the area,” says Randwick Mayor Danny Said.

MORE INFORMATION

• Planning Proposal documents
• Randwick Council Meeting Report - 23 June 2020