Bega Valley Shire Council ‘zombie’ developments revealed

More than a dozen residential projects on the NSW south coast are languishing as homeowners and renters battle increasingly tight housing and rental markets.

A new report into “zombie” developments in the Bega Valley Shire has shed light on the extent of stalled residential projects across the far south coast, with work on some projects having dragged on for more than four decades despite a growing housing crisis

Bega Valley Shire Council staff compiled information on 16 sites, from Bermagui to Eden, earlier this month in response to calls for exhaustive list from councillor Mitchell Nadin in July.

Councillor Mitchell Nadin

Environmental law firm Lindsay Taylor Lawyers defines so-called “zombie” developments as projects granted council approval years ago – in some cases decades – but have not since been progressed or completed.

Under current NSW planning laws, project consent lapses after five years.

But the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act says that can be prevented if “building, engineering or construction work” is “physically commenced” within that time frame.

In the Bega Valley Shire, the developments, many of which were given approval under now-outdated planning laws, include residential subdivisions ranging in size from two lots to as many as 112, with approval given to some projects as far back as the late-80s.

Mirador Dr, near Merimbula, has more than 100 lots signed off under a "zombie" development approval. Picture: Google

One quarter of the documented projects are located in Mirador, a residential area just north of Merimbula.

In total, 187 lots have been approved for the area.

The Manyana Beach Estate was strongly opposed by activists at Manyana Matters, whose campaign against over-development has only intensified since their early efforts. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Another two lots have also been approved for nearby Tura Beach and seven more in Eden.

In Bega, where Real Estate Investor Australia says the current vacancy rate is just 0.29 per cent, four separate projects have been labelled “zombie” developments, including 25 lot subdivisions on Charlotte and Rawlinson St, where some work has begun.

At both projects, as many as seven lots have been completed, while on Kerrisons Lane and Tathra-Bermagui Rd, where 63 rural residential lots have been approved, as many as 21 lots have been completed.

Work is yet to begin on a 42-lot subdivision on East St.

Bega Valley Shire Council appoved a proposal to build 21 new tiny homes in Cobargo two years after it was first lodged.

In the report, Bega Council director for community, environment, and planning, Anthony McMahon, defined “zombie” developments as being projects more than five years old, but said research was not available for all developments in the shire.

Plans lodged earlier this year for an $8 million 38-townhouse development in Bermagui, on the Far South Coast. Picture: Bega Valley Shire Council

The report found staff did not usually retain development applications more than five years old.

In nearby Eurobodalla Shire, a number of ”zombie” developments have drawn ire from locals, including in Tuross Head.

Residents there fear outdated environmental approvals will risk Coila Lake’s fragile ecosystem.