Update: The Freshwater Village Property Development Proposal has been withdrawn by Developers after rejection of its amended plans by Warringah Council. The 'Friends of Freshwater Village' are obviously very happy about this update. Warringah Council Mayor, Michael Regan, was apparently 'thrilled' to hear about this development in proceedings according to the Manly Daily - re their article on August 6th, 2010 - wherein Mayor Regan is quoted as referring to the "power of the people's voice", in lobbying local government, as being something "worth showing".
(Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) ... I draw the attention of the House to the threat to Freshwater, a unique village on the northern beaches of which I am very proud.)
A proposal has been put forward for a $100 million residential-retail development, which, according to the numbers I have seen, comprises a $60 million development plus the value of the site. Freshwater is special to me because my wife and I purchased our first home there. We chose the property because of the unique nature of the village, the fantastic beach, the proximity of the suburb to Manly and the friendliness of the community. Although it was 16 or 17 years ago, it remains a place that I am very proud to serve as part of my electorate and I still feel it is my home. Recently I attended a community meeting of 350 people. The meeting was unique in that it was cordial, constructive, united and passionate in its unanimous opposition to what is deemed to be a proposal that challenges the very fabric of the community that I am so proud to represent and to be part of.
The Friends of Freshwater Village, headed by Peter Harley, are campaigning for a village master plan to make sure that modern urban design principles are applied, public amenity is maintained, traffic impacts are minimised, and the fabric of Freshwater Village is preserved. More than 330 people have shown their support for the campaign through a Facebook group, which I encourage people to join. Local residents will gather at the site this Saturday to assess the likely impact of this inappropriate development.
Freshwater development application No. 0697/2010 proposes the demolition of the existing buildings at 5-19 Lawrence Street, 22A Albert Street and 18-22 Marmora Road, Freshwater, a site covering 9,565.6 square metres; the development of a four-storey mixed-use building, incorporating floor-level retail and shop-top housing fronting Lawrence Street consisting of 2,521 square metres of retail space and 16 units; the construction of a five-storey mixed-use building of 30 units; the construction of a three-storey residential flat building consisting of 17 units; the construction of a three-storey mixed-use building fronting Albert Street containing retail space and 22 residential flats; and the construction of two levels of basement car parking containing 337 car parking spaces, as well as a loading dock and three garages located at the dwellings fronting Marmora Street. The proposal also includes the development of three detached dwellings and seven townhouses, the construction of a private communal pool and gym, as well as the removal of trees.
It is not difficult to understand the community's outrage at such a proposal: it is out of step with the village and with the community's desires. Clearly, given the facts, the proposed development contravenes the local development guidelines under both the draft local environmental plan for Warringah as well as the existing local environmental plan 2000. The proposal is inconsistent with the development standards within both zones—R2 low-density residential zone and B2 local-centre zone—under the draft Warringah local environmental plan. The proposal is non-compliant with the maximum height restrictions as it exceeds the maximum height by up to 50 per cent, and it fails to comply with development standards relating to front boundary setbacks. The proposal is completely at odds with the zonal objectives for the low-density residential zone, which aims "to provide for the housing needs of the community within a low-density residential environment (and) to ensure that low-density residential environments are characterised by landscaped settings that are harmonious with the natural environment of Warringah".
The proposal also offends the desired character statements for both localities—H1, regarding Freshwater Beach, and H2, regarding Harbord Village—under the existing Warringah local environmental plan 2000. For example, the Freshwater Beach locality is to "remain characterised by detached-style housing in landscaped settings interspersed by existing apartment-style housing and a range of complementary and compatible uses … The streets will be characterised by landscaped front gardens and consistent front building setbacks". The proposal does not comply with development controls within either locality under the relevant development control plan. Within the Freshwater Beach locality, the proposal does not comply with housing density standards, maximum building height, or requirements for landscaped open space. Within the Harbord Village locality, the proposal does not comply with maximum building height standards, front building setbacks, or requirements for landscaped open space.
The Friends of Freshwater Village are happy to have an upgrade of existing buildings. Indeed, across the road there is a development that complies with the existing local environmental plan. I refer to the Cavill development. If that development were to be replicated in some way, shape or form, the community would find it acceptable—or certainly much more acceptable than what has been proposed. I call on the Minister for Planning to look at this proposal with much haste, and to listen to the calls from the Freshwater community opposing a development that would potentially damage and destroy the very fabric that makes Freshwater Village so special.
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Mike Baird MP for Manly Sydney
Mike is Member for Manly and Shadow Treasurer of NSW. Mike has lived in the Manly community for more than 15 years. He is a keen surfer at local beaches and a strong supporter of rugby. Mike had a 18-year career in banking before being elected to Parliament in 2007.
www.mikebaird.com.au
Address: Shop 2, 2 Wentworth Street Manly NSW 2095
Phone: (02) 9976 2773
Email: manly@parliament.nsw.gov.au
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