‘Over the top’: Huge Meriton development proposed for Little Bay
Little Bay is a rare patch of relatively undeveloped land in Sydney. But perhaps not for much longer. Harry Triguboff’s Meriton has revealed plans for a high-rise development in the suburb.
Southern Courier
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Little Bay could soon be home to nearly 2000 more units in blocks of up to 22-storeys as part of a plan revealed by development giant Meriton.
Residents and the local MP are already rallying and have labelled the proposal “over the top”.
Harry Triguboff’s Meriton bought a 12ha section of land at Little Bay in 2017 for $245 million which included an approved masterplan.
That masterplan — which was originally refused by Randwick Council but was approved in 2009 following an appeal with the Land and Environment Court — allowed for 450 dwellings to be built in buildings up to five-storeys (18m).
The new planning proposal to Randwick Council 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 (or 73m).
A petition of more than 1200 signatures has been collected and Maroubra state Labor MP Michael Daley has slammed the proposal, describing it as completely over the top.
“Residents shouldn’t have to organise and fight a proposal like this because it is so obviously over the top,” he said.
“Meriton bought this site long after council masterplanned the area and knew what they were getting into. Now just because they don’t like the rules they’re trying to change them.”
He said it was unfair that current rules allowed developers to apply directly with the state government even if council reject the proposal, through the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel.
However, a Meriton spokesman said the proposal had many benefits for the community.
“The proposal will also include many benefits such as the dedication of housing for local key workers including nurses, teachers and police, increased public transport, additional open space and a new local centre with provisions for a supermarket, cafes, childcare centres and medical centre that is not possible under the current approval for the site.”
The proposal also stated there would be potential for a hotel to be built on the site.
Little Bay resident Olde Lorenzen, who started an online petition to stop the development, said it would destroy the area if the proposal went ahead.
“It would turn Little Bay into a giant construction zone of Mascot proportions for years to come.
“The infrastructure would not be able to cope with the result and make commuting into the city even more onerous than it already is.
“Even if the light rail or the metro was ever to be extended, it won’t happen for another 10 to 20 years.”
His petition already has more than 1200 signatures since being put online on Monday.
Mr Lorenzen said the Save Little Bay group, which was made up of local residents, would work hard to see the current masterplan protected.
“(Meriton) bought the site in 2017 in full knowledge of what the development potential was.
“Save Little Bay will demand to have the masterplan protected and enforced in its current form.”
A Randwick Council spokeswoman said the proposal was being reviewed.
“Council is currently undertaking an initial assessment of the proposal to determine if it has strategic merit,” she said.
“The proposal will be referred to the Randwick Local Planning Panel for advice in November prior to being reported to the Council in December 2019.”
She said the Minister for Planning or Department of Planning, Environment and Industry will ultimately decide whether to issue a gateway determination and allow it to go to public consultation.
The site was formerly known as 1408 Anzac Parade but has since been subdivided into multiple landholdings.
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