Warriewood: $19m plans for unit complex on former agricultural land

Warriewood residents have expressed their concerns over traffic and over-development in the area as they see a construction boom.

Artist impression of proposed Warriewood development Karinya, which offers modern coastal living. Picture: Northern Beaches Council website

A former agricultural site is set to be turned into a $19.8m housing estate in Warriewood offering luxury homes and ‘an active coastal lifestyle’.

A developer submitted the proposal to northern beaches council in December for 43, 45 and 49 Warriewood Rd.

A number of residents have expressed concerns about traffic, environment, construction disruption and more.

Artist impression reveals what a modern housing estate would look like for Warriewood Rd, Warriewood. Picture: Northern Beaches Council website

The project named ‘Karinya’ which covers a 22,187sq m site involves subdividing three lots into twelve and the construction of two, three-storey residential unit buildings.

It will contain 34 residential apartments, with the complex boasting facilities such as a swimming pool, paved pathways, landscaped gardens and picnic areas with barbecues and children’s playgrounds.

The basement carpark will provide 77 parking spaces.

Eleven of the allotments would contain housing of ‘varying sizes’.

The subject site at 43, 45 and 49 Warriewood Rd. Picture: Northern Beaches Council website

The proposal has been gazetted to provide more housing choice and aligns with the council’s “vision for future residential growth in the area”.

Planning documents also noted it will create construction jobs and will make use of ‘unoccupied’, ‘outdated’ structures but residents have raised a number of concerns.

Resident David Robinson stated: “Residents of Bubalo St were only allowed to build single garages so we have to park our other cars on the road.

“The DA would allow all the residents of those apartments to use Bubalo St which will decrease safety for our kids and increase noise as well.”

Artist impression of a swimming pool and other facilities for the Karinya development in Warriewood. Picture: council website

Daniel Pittock cited similar views.

“Our concerns stem from the lack of direct private access connecting the apartment complex to Warriewood Road,” Mr Pittock said.

“Many young families with children have moved to Bubalo St as a safe, quiet residential area which is now being turned into a main road within a concrete jungle.”

Dean Mahoney said his family had only moved to the area four months ago and had felt the impacts of heavy constuction happening nearby.

“We’re concerned with the overdevelopment of the area. We’ve just moved in and our streets are very narrow, with cars lining up and down and lots of construction happening,” Mr Mahoney said.

The proposed development for Warriewood offers luxurious houses and amenities in a prime coastal location. Picture: council website

“They want to use our street to get into the new units they’re proposing, as the council won’t let them use Warriewood Rd. We won’t let our kids onto the streets, it’s too dangerous.

“The other concern is we’re only allowed to build up to two stories are these units blocks will be three so we will have overshadowing. We’re facing north on our property so now we will lose the sun.”

Warriewood resident Lindsay Dyce told the Manly Daily he used to work for the council and was involved in the planning for Warriewood’s future.

He said while the development was to be expected because it was located within the Warriewood Valley Urban Release Area, he urged the council to explore potential issues in ‘land contamination’.

Artist impressions of two apartment buildings containing 34 units at Warriewood. Picture: council website

“That particular property was used for intensive agriculture with glass houses for tomato growing and they were operating during a period where there was use of chemicals, including DDT [a banned insecticide],” Mr Dyce said.

“The glass houses were also damaged by hail and then destroyed with heavy machinery and there’s potential for large amounts of shattered glass particles in the soil.

“The council should address these issues before contemplating any approval.”

A council report which addresses site contamination following an investigation reveals it is “satisfied with the conclusion that the underlying soils at the site are free of contamination”.

Attempts have been made to get in contact with the developer.

The council is accepting public submissions until February 1.