Oatlands residents oppose units on golf club site

After upsetting the grieving Abdallah family by rejecting a memorial on the Oatlands Golf Club, residents are now furious about units planned for the exclusive suburb’s course.

As well as upsetting a grieving family whose request for a memorial garden on the Oatlands Golf Club site was rejected, residents are overwhelmingly opposed to its plans for units in their suburb, which is defined by its palatial homes on big blocks.

The club has proposed 193 units for seniors and a two-storey clubhouse which will house a restaurant, cafe and bar if approved over the 16,000sq m site.

The apartments would be spread over five blocks ranging from three to six storeys.

The proposal includes five buildings.

The proposal has sparked outrage after the golf club rejected the Abdallah family’s proposal to build a small memorial on the golf course site where their children Antony, Angelina, Sienna and their cousin Veronique Sakr died at the hands of drunk driver Samuel Williamson on February 1 last year.

But residents are also mounting opposition to plans over lack of privacy, more congestion on Bettington Rd and surrounding streets, and being out of character for Oatlands.

The proposal flouts Parramatta Council’s updated local environment plan guidelines which restrict dual occupancy in the suburb, which is of its most wealthy enclave.

Rules stipulates the golf course site is used for recreation.

There is overwhelming rejection for units in Oatlands.

The State Government will determine if the units are built but the council overwhelmingly opposes the development application.

This week, Parramatta councillor Pierre Esber tabled a petition with more than 160 signatures rejecting plans.

He said the development would be “a blight on the environment and will result in a loss of amenity of the area”.

“It will spoil the beautiful greenery of the golf course, green space that is irreplaceable once it is gone,” he said.

This week, the council also wrote to the Planning Department objecting to the plans.

“The building typology, density and scale is incongruous with the low-density residential character of Bettington Rd and surrounding residential streets,’’ it stated.

“The scale and form of development is considered inconsistent with the surrounding low density residential environment and incongruous with the current and desired further character of the area.’’

Dylan Falecki and his wife Rachel call Oatlands home. Picture: Monique Harmer

It also expressed concerns the bulk of the units, to be built on a hill, would adversely impact the historical significance of neighbouring Oatlands House.

Oatlands resident Dylan Falecki has rubbished the idea of having apartments in the “jewel of Parramatta” that is Oatlands.

“I feel there are many other satellite suburbs that could potentially accommodate this development,’’ he said.

“The State Government don’t have their finger on the pulse on the dynamics and ebbs and flows of particular areas like Parramatta.

“Only recently they’ve (the council) stopped accepting duplex developments. It keeps it a little more exclusive.

“ … Things like traffic flow through Bettington Rd is going to be completely f ***** because of apartments.

“It’s already used as a thoroughfare of people cutting through Oatlands. God knows what’s going to happen if you have a high-density living here.’’

Deputy Lord Mayor Michelle Garrard said she had been flooded with residents expressing their objections to the project.

“I haven’t been contacted by one resident that supports the proposal,’’ she said.

“I’ve been inundated with emails and phone calls by residents who oppose the development. “One constant theme is residents complained is they don’t want units in their suburb.’’

Cr Garrard said residents opposed dual occupancies, let alone units.

Residents don’t want duplexes taking over Oatlands,’’ she said.

“They want it to remain established, single-dwelling homes.’’

The Planning Department is reviewing plans. The golf club has been contacted for comment.

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