Kanagra Drive Crangan Bay: two storey homes approved

A 623 lot subdivision in the region’s fast growing north will have its height limit doubled thanks to an obscure change of rules relating to mine subsidence.

The new subdivision will be just south of Gwandalan.

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State Government approves change

Building height limits in a $200 million subdivision will be allowed to go from single storey to double storey after a change in mine subsidence rules.

The yet-to-start residential subdivision at 85-95 Kanangra Drive, Grangan Bay, near Gwandalan, will be among the largest in the fast growing north with 405 home sites already approved and a further 218 lots to be developed later.

85-95 Kanagra Drive Crangan Bay Location of the subdivision.

The subdivision covers 62 hectares on the shores of Lake Macqaurie, just south of Gwandalan and lies over an area previously mined for underground coal.

Under former mine subsidence regulations, 60 per cent of the lots would be limited to one storey but all that changed with the release of the Subisdance Advisory NSW surface development guideline 2.

The Kanangra Drive Pacific Hwy intersection was at the centre of a dispute last year.

Under this guideline, previously restricted houses can be built to two storeys providing they meet a number of constructions conditions such as reinforced concrete footings.

Developer Scape Constructions Pty Ltd lodged a modification request just before Christmas to seek removal of the height limits and this was granted in April.

There were two written objections. Central Coast Council did not object.

Gwandalan and Summerland Point Peninsula Improvement Group president Bill Symington said he was “not that surprised” the change had been allowed.

“We find out something’s happened after the event and there’s never been any public consultation,” he said.

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the developers who made an unsuccessful attempt last year to delay upgrading of the Kanagara Drive-Pacific Hwy intersection as part of the project.

This already congested intersection was originally meant to be upgraded in the early stages, but the developer sought to stall the work until later stages to improve their cash flow while design work continued.

Crangan Bay: Map showing the proposed subdivision stages at 85 Kanangra Drive at Crangan Bay approved in 2014.

At the time, Mr Symington wrote s submission which said the local community wanted the work done as early as possible.

“It is obvious to the community of Gwandalan and Summerland Point, that if the proposed [intersection] modifications are approved the community will be “short changed” and the proponent will be getting a “financial free kick” at the expense of the community by way of extended traffic congestion at the Pacific Highway intersection,” he said.