With public exhibition ending today for the large Podia Bells Boulevard DA, Kingscliff Ratepayers and Progress Association (KRPA) are urging the public to have their say.
Slated as a State Significant Development (SSD), the proposal is to construct a five-storey mixed use building including ground floor retail; ground floor residential; levels 1-4 residential; two affordable housing units; basement parking; and landscaping, communal open space & swimming pool’.
One of the main issues flagged by residents is that it exceeds the maximum height limit – 21m is proposed, up from an original 18m.
KRPA say, ‘If this development was in Tweed Heads, the Goldie, Cooly etc, it’d be great news’.
‘But it’s not, it’s on the tweed coast and importantly in our wonderful part of the world which is protected from over development by the hard (and continually) fought for over decades height limits.
‘So, the development does provide an attractive mixed used residential and business (shops) precinct with a diversity of residential unit types and sizes. Questions remain on the genuineness of the so-called ‘affordable’ component, whether or not the development will provide actual housing or simply more investment points facilitating the scourge of short-term rentals and of course infrastructure impacts.
‘More importantly though, the developers, knowing the height limits, are riding on the back of the NSW government housing priorities to seek approval and justification for an (at least) 18m five storey building (which would be the largest in the Shire outside of Tweed Heads).
‘Should this proposal get though at the 18m height then it will be the thin edge of the wedge for ongoing, inappropriate development across the Tweed, and particularly the coast, which is also protected from such development by our planning frameworks including the North Coast Regional Plan.
‘So, please take a look at the proposal and if you don’t agree with the breaching of our hard fought for height limits, lodge an objection to NSW Planning.
‘It doesn’t need to say much, even if you may think the overall project has merit, but clearly object to any trashing of height limits for the sake of the developers pocket.
‘We can actually have balanced, needed development and retain the very things that go to the heart of character and liveability of the Tweed coast.
‘The more community voices on this the better and bigger the impact, tell your friends and family – take ten minutes out of their day and lodge an objection by COB 17 February.
‘KRPA members will receive more detail via email shortly. If you’re not a member and want to find out more about joining and the power of a strong community voice, please contact our secretary (Liv) at: [email protected].
‘In the meantime, again, consider the proposal and please get your objections in by 17 Feb https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/…/mixed-use…’
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