Little Bay residents protest ‘monstrous’ Meriton proposal
Hundreds of residents have gathered in Little Bay to fight a high-rise plan from developer Meriton, which would include 1900 units.
Southern Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Southern Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- ‘Over the top’: Huge Meriton development proposed for Little Bay
- Fears bus routes could be axed in southeast Sydney: Daley
More than 400 people gathered to protest against Meriton’s plans to build 1900 units in Little Bay in blocks up to 22-storeys.
The rally was held at Macartney Oval on Sunday afternoon.
A protest organiser said the proposal was “uniquely unsuitable” and damaging to the suburb’s coastal character while some protesters held up signs labelling it a “monstrous proposal”.
Little Bay is a rare patch of relatively undeveloped land in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and has attracted strong interest from billionaire Harry Triguboff’s Meriton.
The development giant bought a 12ha section of land at Little Bay in 2017 which included an approved masterplan.
That masterplan allowed for 450 dwellings to be built on the site in buildings up to five storeys (18m).
A new planning proposal has been lodged with Randwick Council and is seeking consent to build 1900 dwellings on the site in multiple mid and high-rise buildings, with a maximum building height of 22 storeys (73m).
Little Bay resident Olde Lorenzen helped organise the rally and said the proposal was completely unsuitable for the coastal suburb.
IN OTHER NEWS
Teen charged after Colyton takeaway shop assault
Man found with stab wounds at Shalvey bus stop
Jana Pittman leaps into Blacktown Hospital career
“Meriton wants to double Little Bay’s population on this small site,” Mr Lorenzen said.
“We sent a unified message of strong opposition to making any changes to the current masterplan.
“The Meriton proposal is seen as uniquely unsuitable for the area and against its coastal character.”
He also said the infrastructure would struggle to cope with an estimated 2700 extra cars plus retail traffic if the proposal went ahead.
Mr Lorenzen started an online petition to stop the proposal at the start of last month which has reached 4800 signatures. It will be submitted to Randwick Council this week.
A Meriton spokeswoman said the proposal was in its early stages and it would work with the council and the State Government for a “mutual solution”.
“Meriton has lodged the proposal that aligns with the strategic planning and transport policies adopted by the State Government in March 2018 after years of consultation.
“The process is in the initial stages and we are sure that we will need to work with the council and government planners to find a mutual solution.”
Randwick mayor Danny Said and Kingsford Smith federal Labor MP Matt Thistlethwaite both attended in support of the rally.
A letter was also read out at the rally written by renowned Sydney art patron John Kaldor, who organised a project 50 years ago with artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude to wrap the Little Bay coastline in a million feet of fabric.
The letter which has been sent to Randwick Council called for the protection of the historic landscape.
IN OTHER NEWS
