Central Coast Council will amend planning controls to make way for a five-storey development on six consolidated parcels of land at 43-46 The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach, despite receiving 95 submissions opposed to the move.
The proposal also attracted 23 submissions in favour and one maintaining a neutral position.
Council’s decision at the February 28 meeting will see the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan amended to increase the permitted maximum building height from 11.5m (approximately three storeys) to 17m (approximately five storeys) and increase the permitted maximum floor space ratio (FSR) from 1:1 to 1.75:1.
The proposed development would comprise one level of parking at ground floor behind predominantly commercial areas and four storeys of residential units in two small towers.
This would result in 13 residential units more than a three-storey development, which is permitted under the current planning controls.
If the lots are not consolidated, the current building height of 11.5m and FSR of 1:1 will continue to apply to the subject lots.
The amendments will be sent to the Department of Planning.
The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has backed the decision, saying it is an important step forward for Ettalong Beach.
“(This) now provides an opportunity for the old Ettalong Motel site and adjacent properties to be redeveloped for high quality residential development,” Chamber President Matthew Wales, who spoke at the public forum prior to the meeting, said.
“This (proposal) will bring the beachfront commercial lands in line with the existing planning controls that apply to the rest of the Ettalong Beach retail centre.
“The change in planning rules is predicated on the consolidation of all the subject lots being amalgamated which will ensure that a fully integrated design will result from the redevelopment.
“This is a great result for the town centre as it continues to enjoy substantial investment in new residential accommodation and high-quality retail space that will mean jobs in the medium to long term.”
Wales said Council’s decision includes a comprehensive site-specific Development Control Plan that laying down design controls to ensure the future development has appropriate setbacks, building articulation and public areas.
“The decision also includes a Voluntary Planning Agreement that will see $250,000 made available for public infrastructure within the town centre by a future developer,” he said.
“This is a great result and comes at a time when several important developments have been approved by the NSW Land & Environment Court and others are currently under assessment by Council.”
Council says a single-storey podium setback of 6m from the boundary to Picnic Pde will appropriately address the lower-scale residential zone to the east, with the maximum five-storey height applying to two small areas, that are setback from boundaries.
Not everyone is on board with the decision.
Peter Gillis also spoke at the public forum on behalf of Residents for Responsible Ettalong Development (RRED), expressing concerns over overshadowing, environmental impacts and view sharing.
He said nearly 2000 residents had signed a petition against the proposal and that no-one has considered the cumulative effects of all the new developments in the area, including the block being built currently on the old Centrelink site.
Mark Ellis also addressed the Council, highlighting traffic problems that have grown over 10 years.
He said parking is already at a premium in the area and asked Administrator Rik Hart, as a “community advocate”, to reject the recommendations.
Terry Collins
Destruction of Ettalong is shameful. We don’t want these ugly units.