Beverly Hills: Flood risk threatens 90-apartment proposal at former cinema site on King Georges Rd

A plan for 90 units to be built on the former site of a neighbourhood cinema could be dumped after flood experts outlined risks to the land which developers want to upzone.

The former GU Filmhouse (Beverly Hills Cinemas site) at King Georges Rd. Picture: Google Maps

A proposal for 90 apartments to be built on the former Beverly Hills Cinemas site could be dumped after flood experts outlined risks to the land where a hotel is also proposed and developers are eyeing upzoning.

Despite concerns from the community and Georges River Council, the state government’s Housing Development Authority in April recommended approval of the dwellings for the former GU Filmhouse site at 447-453 King Georges Rd, next to the proposed 62-room Culvert Hotel.

HDA records stated the 90 units, proposed by Diab Investments II Pty Ltd, were suitable to be a state significant development but the planning minister will still have the final say on the project’s fate.

Further development could also be under threat after experts warned the council the risk of flooding would be intensified because of the loss of open space and increased density.

“ … Additional height will increase the population density in the flood-affected lots. Council staff have recommended that increased density in highly constrained areas (shown in red in the blue rectangles below) should be avoided,’’ a report in February stated.

The council has been warned that increased density in the red areas in the blue squares should be avoided.

Georges River Mayor Elise Borg labelled it “strange” the HDA would recommend the unit development proceed following the flood-risk findings, which would make housing unviable.

“It will be interesting to see how this proposal will satisfy the flooding risks recently identified in technical studies, which resulted in recommendations not to increase residential densities in flood-risk areas,’’ she said.

A development application has been received for the 62-room Culvert Hotel next to the cinemas but flood concerns could halt plans.

An artist’s impression of how the centre of Beverly Hills could look if the planning proposal proceeds.

Cr Borg also said more residential development on the site was unlikely to get the final state government tick of approval after strict flood risk management reforms were brought in following the 2022 Lismore floods.

The flood red flags also signal a problem for a planning proposal to upzone the strip of 407-511 King Georges Rd where heights could leap from 15m to 44m and 50m.

The council objects to the rezoning and two years ago Beverly Hills Owners’ Association Incorporated lodged a review with the Planning Department.

The government has said the plans would create 765 jobs during construction and up to 503 permanent jobs in the local area.

The now-closed Beverly Hills Cinemas, which was known as the GU Filmhouse until it closed this year.

Beverly Hills Cinema general manager Costas Meligonis, centre, with staff ahead of a screening of the 2014 FIFA World Cup games. Picture: Craig Wilson

However, the plans are also at odds with the proposed Beverly Hills Masterplan, which has been updated in response to the flood and gas pipeline risks.

Lifelong Beverly Hills resident and George District Residents’ Network president Brian Shaw said a severe storm in October caused King Georges Rd to “flow like a river”.

“Thankfully there was no king tide in Cooks River or the stormwater would have built up and flooded basement carparks in Hampden St,’’ he said.

“These events have been happening since my family moved to Beverly Hills in 1910.’’

Mr Shaw hoped underground parking was not considered for the units, and opposed high-rise development on the congested main strip.

“They (developers) just don’t seem to think there’s any problem,’’ he said.

“There’s nothing of that height in Beverly Hills at all so it’s a totally change to the community and I don’t think it’s going to bring business to the area if that’s what they’re on about.’’

Meanwhile, Beverly Hills’ shopping strip is struggling more with the loss of the cinemas, which closed in January, and a loss of parking.

The former GU Filmhouse. The The empty land next to it is slated to host a 62-room hotel. Picture: Google Maps

“Beverly Hills has been a popular restaurant strip for a long time with restaurants and the cinemas helped attract that,’’ Cr Borg said.

“It needs revitalisation and at present there’s quite a lot of uncertainty for that whole community there.

“Because of the whole uncertainty, no one’s developing their properties, and it’s contributing it to being a white elephant.’’

Small businesses have suffered more since the previous Liberal state government compulsorily acquired the Edgbaston Rd commuter carpark to turn into a multideck 200-space carpark.

The carpark was delivered to ease congestion but Cr Borg said it had adversely impacted trade because it was only for passengers who were required to tap their Opal card to access parking.

Shoppers or visitors to the suburb’s centre must otherwise pay $30 to park there.

Deputy Mayor Nancy Liu this week proposed three hours of free parking in an effort to boost trade.

The council agreed to write to the state government seeking its support of the idea.