Locals say plan for 47 townhouse development at Keiraville is ‘totally unacceptable’
Keiraville residents have labelled a development proposal for 47 townhouses in Keiraville as “overdevelopment” urging council to refuse the plans.
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Keiraville residents have urged Wollongong City Council to recommend the rejection of a significant new development proposed for a bush block at the back of the suburb, fearing it will have a negative impact on the amenity of the area.
The Keiraville Residents Action Group has labelled a development proposal for 47 townhouses and 109 car spaces on Cosgrove Ave as “totally unacceptable” for the already congested suburb, and has called on council to recommend the Southern Regional Local Planning Panel reject the plans.
Development group, Surewin Parkview lodged plans for “The Cosgrove” last month, with hopes to build 47 architecturally designed dwellings at the four hectare site, which was purchased for $7 million and has views over the botanic garden and into the city.
The Cosgrove would incorporate five buildings housing three and four bedroom dwellings that Surewin Parkview consultant town planner Helen Deegan at the time said would take advantage of the sweeping views while remaining true to the area’s height restrictions.
“The architects have meticulously planned a residential development that will harness the magnificent views for residents while blending with the escarpment behind it,” she said.
“The architecture and landscaping are integrated through such elements as green roof tops while the building materials have been chosen to blend with the surroundings.”
While Ms Deegan said the development had taken issues like visuals, traffic and parking into consideration, the Keiraville Residents Action Group thinks otherwise.
Spokesman for the affected neighbours Yvonne Toepfer said the proposal was a case of “overdevelopment” that had residents deeply concerned.
“There is disbelief by residents at the enormity of this proposal, which has the potential to so flagrantly compromise the city’s iconic escarpment,” she said.
In a public meeting with Keiraville residents on Saturday, the group discussed key reasons why they believe the proposal should be refused, including bushfire safety risks, flooding issues from site run-off, “serious” potential impacts on traffic and associated parking issues.
The group also called on Wollongong City Council to review planning controls for the suburb, in order to preserve the “current low density residential character amenity of the Keiraville locality by excluding larger scale residential or other development” and also ensuring no development “adversely impacts the scenic significance” of the suburb.