One wonders by what criteria the Local Planning Panel judges development applications, if it can refuse the proposed development in Ocean View Rd, Ettalong Beach, while apparently being satisfied to approve other developments in the area that just as egregiously flout the standards of the Development Control Plan (“Panel to review refusal of mixed-use development”, PP 040).
Of course, one does not take seriously the judgement by Matthew Wales that this is “an extremely well-designed development”.
It is about as ugly a design as anyone would never wish to see but the building is not notably worse than others that have been approved, and the fact that it is non-compliant with the all the stated goals for Ettalong Beach has never hindered approval in the past.
The fact that the refusal by the Panel was contrary to the recommendation for approval by Council raises an interesting question as to whether the Panel is usurping the rightful power of the Council to manage development in accordance with what it sees fit or is protecting the community against the incompetence and arbitrariness of Council in departing from its own established standards on which the Ettalong Beach community is entitled to rely.
On the face of it, it is hard to see that this development results in a “better outcome” (the new measure) than would be achieved by adhering to the standards, so it would be interesting to know how Mr Eyre arrived at this conclusion in his recommendation for approval.
Regardless of whether the Panel backflips on its decision, it is obvious, as I’ve said before, that Ettalong Beach can never retain the character that was spelled out for it in the Local Environment Plan: it is too far gone for that.
However, whether that means we should just throw up our hands and accept any garbage design that a developer wants to put in front of us or try to salvage what we can from the mess is something that Residents for Responsible Ettalong Development needs to focus on.
I assume that this development is part of what Mr Wales was referring to when he bragged that “the hard work by the business community is paying off” in Ettalong.
I wonder how many Ettalong residents would echo his enthusiasm for the changes with which he is threatening them.
Email, Dec 19
Bruce Hyland, Woy Woy