Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club wins bid for Point Piper jetty extension

The Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club in Point Piper has been given approval to build a giant pontoon despite local council objections about dangers to swimmers.

The yacht club can now build this pontoon. Picture: Supplied

A yacht club in one of Sydney’s most expensive suburbs has won a court battle to build a massive pontoon that opponents said would create a dangerous situation for swimmers as big pleasure boats berthed.

The Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club in Point Piper now has approval to build a 16m ramp and 60sq m pontoon that extends into the waters of Felix Bay. The proposed structure is 10m bigger than the existing jetty.

The NSW Land and Environment Court gave the green light for the redevelopment of the site this week after Woollahra Council conceded that several amendments made to the proposed development meant that it was in line with development rules.

The proposed plans for the pontoon at Point Piper. Picture: Supplied

The court heard there had been eight resident objectors to the original proposal.

Their objections included that larger boats that would use the new structure would pose a danger to swimmers in Felix Bay.

The also argued that the ­development would be not suitable for sailors with a disability and would have an “an unacceptable impact on the marine environment”, the court heard.

However, in April, the court granted the yacht club leave to amend its plans, which led to the council ­telling the court it ­accepted the updated plan.

After considering the amended plans and documents and after ­receiving advice from public authorities, the applicant and the Council reached agreement on a set of conditions upon which the development application could be ­determined by way of ­approval,” Commissioner Susan O’Neill told the court on Tuesday.

Commissioner O’Neill told the court the updated proposal had “an acceptable visual impact in the context of surrounding development as a ­result of the lower profile of the pontoon and the reduced length and changed loca­tion of the ramp and pontoon”.

“The Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club is an existing use and has been operating since the 1920s. The relocation of the new pontoon to deeper water does not prioritise a private use over a public asset,” she said.