Uniting Nareen Gardens has bowed to community pressure and reformulated its plans for a multi-storey retirement and independent living development in Bateau Bay.
Described as a “small win” by the community, the residents have welcomed the proposed changes, but argue they still do not go far enough.
Local resident Erin Brenger said this latest move is a step in the right direction but there is still plenty more work to be done.
“Uniting have heard some of our concerns and made changes but unfortunately have failed to address a number of our issues,” she said.
Uniting came back to the table on 17 February with a set of new plans designed to appease residents.
One major reversal is the scrapping of an entire block (building four), rendering it a five instead of six block development for retirees and seniors.
It has also revised the height of buildings two and five by removing the top level and limiting them to three storeys.
In another bid to assuage the community, developers have shifted the buildings out to 13.6 metres from the eastern boundary from what was originally six metres. The courtyards for these buildings will sit at nine metres from the boundary.
Uniting has also promised to keep most of the existing trees on the boundary, while promising to plant 249 new mainly endemic trees, including Eucalyptus Robusta (Swift Parrot).
Other changes include a decrease in the size of building six by 170m2; a reduction in dwellings with potential to overlook eastern neighbours from 38 to 15 and a proposal to increase fence height from 1.8m to 2.1m on the eastern boundary.
These latest plans, which were presented after a round of community consultation in January, also include increased landscaping and different facades and renders to create a coastal look.
Community opposition to the development has gained momentum with each passing month since the original development application (DA 882/2021) was lodged in October 2021.
One ongoing concern that residents have raised is that they believe building work could take up to six years.
“Six years of building will completely take over our lives.
“We will be unable to enjoy our homes and any privacy we once had will be gone,” said Brenger.
Meanwhile, another factor that agitates residents is the inclusion of Altona Avenue (a narrow 7.5m wide street) as an exit point with increased traffic, and the impact this will have on roads and those living on nearby streets.
Resident Scott McIntosh said that Altona Avenue cannot cope with the proposed increased volume of traffic.
“Altona was built to service 12 homes, not an additional 150 apartments with support staff, visitors and deliveries.
“Garbage Trucks currently have to reverse up the road to turn around,” he said.
Other residents Jo and Neil Brown are also worried about the effect on roads in the area.
“The Bias Avenue road surface is currently breaking up.
“It is not built to withstand heavy truck loads of demolition and construction materials.
“Nor is it built for seven years plus of heavy and increased traffic,” they said.
Uniting has said it will continue to look into traffic issues.
Some of those who have attended meetings with Uniting point to their worry that a development of this size will set a dangerous precedent for the area.
“The development is still one-and-a-half times the current size and sets a dangerous precedent for commercial organisations to grow at the expense of small communities,” said Lauren Smith.
One proposal is that the development is shifted to Yakalla Street – a bigger road where there is a Uniting church and hostel.
“This needs to be a serious option as it is a much more suitable site,” said Jo and Neil Brown.
Uniting Director of Property and Housing Simon Furness said the aged care provider has revised its plans on the back of such significant community feedback.
“Uniting values the wellbeing of all our residents and community and that is why we are working towards a redevelopment plan for Uniting Nareen Gardens that will benefit the broader community.
“Community consultation is an important part of any redevelopment project and we welcome community members to have their say,” he said. The community has been invited to a further consultation run by the Regional Planning Panel on March 1.
Nicola Riches