Allambie Heights Village: planners say redevelopment risks endangered animals

An endangered prehistoric fish may prevent an $18m extension to an aged care home on the northern beaches from going ahead. But it’s not the only reason the plans could be halted.

An artist's impression of the proposed seniors living redevelopment at the Allambie Heights Village, which planning experts at Northern Beaches Council said should not go ahead because ti could have an adverse impact on the environment. Picture: Supplied

The future of an $18 million nursing home redevelopment looks wobbly after authorities said it would endanger rare native animals including a stone age fish.

Planning experts at Northern Beaches Council said the addition of 24 home units to the Allambie Heights Village should be knocked back because of the “adverse impact” on adjoining bushland near Manly Dam.

An artist's impression of the proposed new communal building at the Allambie Heights Village. Picture: Supplied

There were also concerns about a 85m wide bushfire “asset protection zone”, which reduced bush around the development.

The Northern Beaches Planning Panel will now decide if the extension to the seniors’ complex on Allambie Rd, which opened in 1966 and already has 55 units, will go ahead.

Critics of the construction of the new independent living units, as well as a gym, spa and steam room in a communal building, have said that a rare fish that has been around for 60 million years would be put at risk.

In an ongoing biodiversity study, 11 Climbing Galaxias fish have been identified so far at Curl Curl Creek at Manly Dam, the only place in Sydney where they still exist.

Endangered species such as galaxias could be put at risk by the redevelopment. Picture: Supplied

The redevelopment site is next to Curl Curl Creek – the main waterway feeding into Manly Dam.

There were also community concerns about the impact on populations of eastern pygmy possums and red crowned toadlets around the dam.

In a Development Application Assessment Report, council officers recommended that development consent be refused.

The report said that the application received 110 public submissions “all of which raised concerns with the proposed development”.

“The majority of the submissions raised concerns with regards to environmental aspects of the proposal on bushland and biodiversity and generally on the Manly Dam catchment.”

The Council’s Natural Environment Team, the report said, “does not support the application due to the impact on remnant bushland caused by the Asset Protection zones required under Planning for Bushfire Protection.

An artist's impression of the proposed seniors living redevelopment at the Allambie Heights Village where a 85m-wide bushfire protection zone would have to be created. Picture: Supplied

“The proposed development will directly and indirectly impact native vegetation and fauna habitat, including threatened species or vegetation communities with potential for a serious and irreversible impact.

“On balance, the natural environment issues are problematic to the point that they constitute reasons why the application is being recommended for refusal,” the report said.

On its Facebook page the Save Our Manly Dam group, opposed to the development, said: “Rejoice! The 60 million year old Climbing Galaxias fish lives to fight another day, in an unpolluted creek.

“Eight threatened species will not have their habitat cleared. And we will still be able to swim in an unsullied Manly Dam, the last freshwater lake in Sydney where it is still possible to do so.”

Management at Allambie Village has been contacted for comment.