Five storey, 40-unit, affordable housing proposal

Artists impression of the proposed Toukely development.Artists impression of the proposed Toukely development.

A $9.1m residential flat building has been proposed for 6 to 10 Dunleigh St, Toukley.

A development application has been submitted to Central Coast Council by Yoomin Choi for the five storey, 40-unit, affordable housing proposal. The applicant is asking for Council and the JRPP to vary their maximum height and floor space ratio controls, arguing that the changes would “enhance the activation of the Toukley Local Centre and provide a more sustainable development and broader benefit to the public. The site is in an area that allows a maximum height of 12 metres, and the proposed development has a height of 18 metres.

The applicant has submitted a request for the maximum height to be varied. The maximum floor space ratio in the area of the proposed development, including bonus space allowed for affordable housing, is 1.5:1, but the proposed development seeks 1.71:1. The Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) will assess the application under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 (AHSEPP) because it is valued at over $5 million. SEPP 65 also applies to the development, because it is a residential flat building that is at least three storeys high and contains at least four units.

The proposal includes demolition of existing dwellings and construction of a residential flat building with car parking and landscaping and the amalgamation of three existing lots. “The proposed development represents an opportunity to provide 40 affordable housing units within an area that has been strategically identified for regional and local significance,” a Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) submitted with the DA said. The site fronts Dunleigh St and Tamar Ave and is connected, due east to Toukley and due west to Wyong, via Main Rd. It has an approximate area of 2,161 square metres and is currently occupied by three residential dwelling with associated yards, fences, gardens, sheds and outbuildings. The ground floor of the proposed development will include integrated car parking for 20 cars, including two accessible spaces, foyer, waste collection area, lift, circulation corridor and fire stairs, tree planting and landscaping of dedicated private and communal open space.

It will include a community garden and pedestrian access to the street. There will be four ground-floor units, including two one bedroom dwellings and two two-bedroom. The ground floor will also have 14 bicycle lockers. Levels one to four will each include eight units, all with two bedrooms and balconies, garbage chute and services, lift, circulation corridors and fire stairs. Level five will have four two-bedroom units including balconies, a garbage chute and services and a life, circulation corridors and fire stairs.

Vehicle access is proposed to be via Tamar Ave. According to the SEE: “The proposed development is consistent with the aim of the [Affordable Housing] SEPP to respond to housing demand, as reflected in the changing social and demographic profile of the locality, including decreased household size, the desire to age in place and the need for smaller units to fill the gap in the provision of low-cost housing. “These trends point to a defi ciency in the current housing stock in terms of both dwelling size and affordability. “The proposed development is designed to meet this defi ciency through the provision of small, affordable dwellings within the Toukley local centre,” the SEE said.

Source: Website, Feb 5 Wyong DA Tracker, DA44/2018