Wollongong City Council staff have recommended a controversial apartment building at McCauleys Beach be approved, despite strong opposition from dozens of neighbouring residents.
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The three storey building planned for two lots on Clyde Close would have nine two and three bedroom apartments, along with ground level communal space and basement parking for 16 cars.
Residents in the beach-side estate have been protesting the development for several months. The council received 28 submissions on the development, including a petition with more than 200 signatures which aims to “stop over-development in Thirroul and surrounding suburbs”.
The main concerns raised by residents were over potential congestion, traffic and parking issues in the cul-de-sac street, as well as changes to the future character of the McCauleys Beach area.
“Clyde Close is a small cul-de-sac next to Thomas Gibson sports ground in Thirroul,” the petition said.
“On training and game days the street is already inundated with parked cars and traffic. With 17 residential blocks on the Close about to be built on, plus existing properties, the street cannot cope with the increased cars and traffic the proposed unit block will bring.”
The staff report recommending the development’s approval said many of the concerns raised were “not considered sufficient to warrant refusal”.
The site is zoned for medium density residential buildings, which means apartment blocks are allowed with council consent.
The development was “not considered to be out of context with regard to the desired future character of the area”, the report said. Additionally, it would not “place unreasonable strain on local infrastructure”.
“The existing character at McCauleys Beach Estate is currently developing,” the report said. “While the development is larger than some others in the [estate], the bulk and the scale of the development is consistent with the applicable planning controls for the area.”
The Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel will meet on Wednesday to consider the application.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
