Terrigal: Boarding house planned for Terrigal Drive near busy intersection
A new generation boarding house has lobbed near a major Terrigal intersection with many locals objecting to the DA due to safety, traffic and location close to schools.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Carly Regan appeals jail sentence after defrauding Waminda welfare group of $371K
- San Remo retiree Greg Neal sparks grass fires trying to clean Central Coast reserve during COVID-19
A new generation boarding house has been proposed for a major intersection in Terrigal.
The DA for the one-storey, nine-bedroom development at 59 Terrigal Drive is on public exhibition until Friday.
Applicant L.J Cox submitted the DA with Central Coast Council last month with a total value of $634,500. The proposed site is at the major intersection of Charles Kay Dr, close to Brunswick Rd as well as Terrigal High School and Duffys Oval.
Objections to the plan have been received and highlight issues such as an increase in crime with no manager’s residence included in the DA; traffic congestion on Terrigal Dr; unsuitable location close to schools and it being out of character in the area.
The planning report indicates that the boarding house will have a “broad tenancy mix” including mature aged single adults, mature aged couples and younger single working professionals.
It will include four one-bedroom units and five studio units, along with a common area for tenants. Six parking spaces for residents are proposed with access off Terrigal Dr.
The proposal does not include an on-site manager due to the capacity of the boarding house not exceeding 20 tenants.
The applicant states that this type of development is needed in the area, with just two per cent of rental properties on the coast affordable for low income renters.
“An important way of improving affordability is by ensuring that there is an adequate supply of well-located smaller, lower cost housing types like New Generation Boarding Houses,” the report states.
The applicant states the DA fits in with the existing character of the area, which has “gated community style townhouses” as well as government housing and local businesses.
It also complies with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) which was introduced in 2009 to assess boarding houses. The SEPP lists standards that cannot be used to refuse DAs of this nature.
One of the objections received states the DA is completely inappropriate for the area.
“For the developer to propose the construction of a Boarding House on this block of land shows little or no responsibility or consideration for the surrounding neighbours, safety to the general public, schoolchildren and or road users,” the letter states.
Another objector pointed out that the development would create further traffic stress in the area, competing with bicycles, pedestrians, schoolchildren and traffic from the busy intersection.
“Garbage collection (10 bins) would also be difficult under these circumstances, as they will need to be placed on the kerb next to the bus stop,” the submission states. “Cars entering or exiting the development site would add another layer of complexity to this already very “busy” environment, increasing the chance of vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents.”
The DA can be viewed on council’s website with public submissions closing on Friday.