The NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) held a community meeting last Tuesday as part of the process to consider Uniting’s planned redevelopment of its Kingscliff aged care home.
While generally supportive for the need for aged care, the contentious DA is seen by many residents as way too large for the area, which is surrounded by residential homes.
The proposal would see 199 senior independent living units, as well as 120 residential aged care places.
Peter Newton, President Kingscliff Ratepayers and Progress Association, told The Echo it was a constructive meeting attended by around 100 residents and Uniting representatives.
‘There were 20 registered speakers – which was great for a rainy night’.
‘There were very diligent and considered responses,’ he said, and a very well conducted meeting by the IPC’.
Bulk and scale
‘No one is opposing the DA, there is a need for this type of housing and it’s welcome’, he said.
‘But that’s where that ends. The proposal is a gross overdevelopment in bulk and scale – there is no street frontage for example.
‘Our view is that if it could be reduced in density and height it would be acceptable’.
Of concern is the amenity of local residents and the impact on traffic and services.
‘There are unresolved flood impacted as well. The SES report on the DA slammed their flood mitigation strategy.
‘It’s a city-sized development that is protected by local planning regulations’.
Mr Newton’s organisation is calling for a more even combination of senior living units and aged care beds.
‘The aged care beds proposed is minuscule – an additional eight more beds than previously.
‘Such a high number of senior units will draw people from outside the Shire. It will have unforeseen impacts, and shuts out – and puts pressure on – aged care.
‘Someone said at the meeting: “This is a unit development masquerading as aged care”.’
He added the DAs assessment report from NSW government’s planning department agreed with the incorrect narrative provided the applicant around growth and how the area was changing.
‘It was not reflective of what is happening,’ he said.
It resulted in 300 objections, he said, which then triggered the IPC’s intervention as a consent authority.
‘As a community, we asked how can you ignore 300 objections?’
Adrian Ciano, Head of Property Development, Uniting NSW.ACT said in a statement, ‘We appreciated the opportunity to present to the panel and to hear the perspectives of community representatives through the process’.
He outlined the need for the proposal to meet demand.
Written submissions close November 3 at 12pm.
For more visit www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/uniting-kingscliff-redevelopment.
‘We encourage everyone to have their say before the deadline’, says Newton.
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