Umina Beach: Decision made on controversial unit plans for 42 South St

A decision has been announced on controversial unit plans for Umina Beach. Neighbours say it will set a dangerous precedent while the applicant says it provide a “superior” development for the area.

Plans for a five unit development in Umina Beach, which came under fire from neighbours for breaches to local planning rules, have been approved.

Central Coast Local Planning Panel has announced its unanimous approval of $3.1m plans for five units along with underground parking at 42 South St in Umina Beach saying the plans are in the public interest.

“The proposal is consistent with the zoning of the land and generally within the expectations for future development,” the panel’s decision read.

“The breach of the floor space ratio development standard is acceptable in the circumstances of the case.”

However the approval comes with conditions including protecting neighbouring homes from damage during excavation works and discussing appropriate fencing with neighbours.

Aerial view of the site on South St.

The initial plans, lodged in early 2020, received 27 objections with the applicant redesigning the building as well as reducing the number of units, car spaces and floor space ratio. The maximum height is now 7.85m however some of the set backs along with the floor space ratio still exceed local planning rule controls.

Central Coast Council recommended the plans be approved saying the variations to the planning rules were appropriate given the nature of the development and will not result in “unreasonable environmental amenity impact”.

During its second round of public exhibition in October 2021, 33 objections were lodged with concerns including the excessive bulk and scale of the development, non compliance with local planning control, privacy and noise.

During the two periods of public exhibition, the plans have received a total of 60 submissions.

Neighbour Michael Emmett spoke at the panel meeting on August 25, saying the developer had gone outside local planning rules on eight or nine occasions.

“If this is approved it will create a precedent,” he said.

“If it is to be stopped it should be now. Council should be looking to preserve the rights enjoyed of existing residents and not ensure maximum return on investment for developers.”

He said in his 50 years on the coast he ad seen many changes “for the better” with the Woy Woy peninsula “the beating heart” of the coast.

“Approving this development would open the door to hundreds of similar proposals which will destroy what we have and cause catastrophic failure to that beating heart,” he said.

Deborah Sunartha, also of South St, spoke on behalf of other local residents who say the plans would impact the character of Umina.

“The report suggests that this is a high quality urban design,” she said.

“This is not true. A high quality urban design would be one that is compliant. If basement parking was removed and the number of units reduced the development could be more compliant and acceptable and welcome. We are not anti development, we just want it done well.”

The plans were initially lodged in 2020.

Another neighbour Gary Machin said the plans are in breach of the floor space ratio rules by 24sq m, while Francis Wiffen spoke about solar access.

“It’s not just the private outside areas of the neighbours property that will be shaded by this overtly large building, it is the interior living spaces as well,” Mr Wiffen said.

“The applicant attempts to discount the serious loss of amenity by creating the impression that it’s not possible to develop satisfactorily without causing this extent of overshadowing.”

“Depriving people of sunlight for extended periods has serious health implications, especially for children.”

Retired nurse Carolyn James lives next door to the site and says the overshadowing will result in loss of sunlight to her living spaces and courtyard, decreasing the value of her unit.

“This development will have both financial and negative mental health impacts on me,” she said.

The developers say their aim is to create a superior development compared to others in the local area.

Architect Rocco Furfaro spoke on behalf of the applicant saying the aim was to remain within the planning objectives of the site, provide a high quality multi-housing development and address housing needs of the community.

He said they had been working with council to alleviate all concerns raised and said the purpose of the basement carpark was to avoid the gunbarrelling designs of other unit developments in the area to create a more “superior” one.

Mr Furfaro said they had responded to concerns of privacy and overshadowing by reducing the size of the development by one unit and increasing the southern setback.

“The result of this redesign considerable reduced bulk and scale, privacy and overshadowing impacts on the surrounding sites,” he said.

The developers says they want to “enhance the multi-dwelling standard of Umina Beach”. Picture: Troy Snook

He said the team had been working closely with council, answering concerns raised with redesigns and further information.

“Our aim is to enhance the multi-dwelling standard of Umina Beach and provide a more superior design for the area,” he said.

Planner Ravi Sharma reiterated that the planners had been working closely with the council with the floor space ratio significantly reduced.

He said they had gone to “great lengths” to negate issues of visual bulk, scale and overshadowing and provide something better than the existing “tired, austere” buildings in the local area.