Ballamac House, Coogee: Randwick Heritage Action Group object to Central Element luxury unit plans

A heritage action group has slammed $10 million plans for a historic 1860s site on Coogee’s headland, saying it is the latest threat to the area’s history and character. Here’s what they have to say.

A community group has slammed plans for a $10 million makeover of a historic seaside site in Coogee, claiming the loss of heritage throughout the area was “out of control”.

Property developer Central Element has recently lodged a proposal for the site of the historic Ballamac House with plans for eight three-bedroom luxury apartments, each complete with a plunge pool.

While the developer vows to keep the original structure of the 1860 house, community members are angry all later additions could be destroyed.

Members of Randwick Heritage Action Group (RHAG) say this is the latest example of the destructive easing of development rules and called for Randwick Council to follow the footsteps of neighbouring councils and employ community planning advocates and heritage advisers to help preserve the suburb’s character.

Two of the proposed residences would sit inside a renovated build of Ballamac House, a historic Victorian mansion built in 1860 which dominated Coogee’s north headland until it was strata-titled and divided into five apartments in the late 1970s.

A $10m development is proposed for 39 Arcadia St, Coogee

The other six apartments would be placed in a new apartment building built east of the house.

Central Element managing director Nathan Chivas previously told the Southern Courier he would ensure the external and internal walls of the original house were retained, along with the original fireplaces, mantelpieces and decorative ceilings.

The $10m plan would see eight new three-bedroom apartments at Ballamac House

But Linda Avramides, founder of Randwick Heritage Action Group, said the group strongly objected to the proposal as it plans to remove the 1904-1911 additions to Ballamac House, made by then-owner Sir James Joynton Smith.

The renovations made by Smith, who owned the former Arcadia Hotel which once occupied Westfield Shopping Centre site on Pitt St and is the reason the street is called Arcadia, are noted in the heritage significance assessment.

Locals are concerned more than 100 years of additions to the house could be lost

Ms Avramides was also concerned with other aspects, such as views to the house from Dunningham Reserve being be lost behind the four-storey building, the removal of 15 trees, and that the proposed driveway to a basement car park would diminish the building’s heritage.

She said the applicant’s heritage report did not mention the neighbouring heritage-listed building at 21 Baden St or the historic Latimer fuel pump at the garage of the site’s north east corner.

“The proposed style, bulk, scale and positioning of the new buildings is totally at odds with a cherished and important heritage item,” she said.

“The rate of overdevelopment and loss of heritage in Randwick and throughout the city is now out of control. Developer greed and fast turnaround is causing the relentless loss of our visual landscape, light, green spaces, visually harmonious streetscapes and loss of whole heritage precincts”.

Developer Central Element said their plans infuse “old and new” to bring modern luxury

If approved, the project is due to be completed in 2024

According to RHAG, the loss of heritage was largely due to major changes to the NSW Government’s state environmental planning policy which made it easier for developers to demolish buildings.

“Councils must listen to the community and push back,” Ms Avramides said.

Last month, Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos said she would support the hire of a community planning advocate to help residents fight development proposals.

RHAG called for Randwick Council to follow suit.

A Randwick Council spokeswoman said its existing heritage and design controls ensure that Randwick’s environmental heritage is protected and conserved.

“Assessment of development applications (DAs) for heritage items is undertaken by a multidisciplinary team including Council officers, heritage specialists and urban designers,” she said.

“Randwick Council employs heritage specialists that assess DAs that trigger Council’s Heritage Conservation provisions and the Randwick Development Control Plan. Council also employs urban designers who review and provide advice on DAs and other planning matters”.

“This week Council applied to heritage list 58 new properties as part of the new Local Environmental Plans”.

Central Element developers have been contacted for comment.