Broulee NIMBYS lose battle over $2.8m Azure Ave apartments

NIMBYS in a south coast village have lost a bid to keep their beachside haven free of large-scale developments, after a regional council approved plans for a multimillion-dollar residential complex, despite community objections.

Artist impression of the proposed units. Picture: Supplied

Residents against a multimillion-dollar residential complex pinned for their seaside haven are not getting the Christmas miracle they were seeking, after their regional council gave the controversial development the green light despite objections.

Broulee NIMBYS are no strangers to fighting against development proposals in their small south coast town, with the recently approved 22 Azure Ave residential complex being their third battle in only two years.

Multiple residents submitted objections to Eurobodalla Council against the proposal, primarily stating it was too large for the small town.

Residents have also fought against another residential development for 92 Smith St Broulee, as well as a major housing subdivision for Heath and Train St which would require deforestation.

Both are yet to be determined by council.

The units will be built at 22 Azure Ave, Broulee. Picture: Supplied

“I don’t think developers are understanding that we don’t want this shit here,” Broulee resident and self described NIMBY Shannon Bartley told this publication.

But despite Ms Bartley’s and other resident’s calls against the construction of the $2.8m Candor Town Planning apartments, Eurobodalla Council has approved the construction.

Artist impression of the proposed units. Picture: Supplied

The five residential buildings, each featuring multiple apartments with kitchens, studies, living rooms, multiple bedrooms and more, will be erected at 22 Azure Ave sometime in the new year, council documents reveal.

The development, as with other previous proposals in Broulee, has not gone over well with residents.

“We need housing, we get that, but this isn’t the place to do it,” resident Steven Plenter said.

“Batemans Bay is the hub of the Eurobodalla. It’s the biggest town in the area and is the closest coastal town to Canberra.

Broulee resident Adrian Beresford-wylie said he was against large developments. Picture: Tom McGann.

“Put these developments there and leave our villages alone.”

Resident Adrian Beresford-Wylie agreed, saying the approval of a major housing development in the town of 1900 opened Pandora's box.

“As soon as you build something like this, it opens the gates for more developers to come in and completely change the Broulee landscape,” he said.

“I’m completely against it, this is a small town and as soon as you build an eyesore like that, it will ruin the area.”

The approved apartment comes as part of the Eurobodalla Local Housing Strategy, which encourages greater housing diversity and affordability over the next 20 years.

It notes by 2036, Eurobodalla will need an additional 3949 dwellings to accommodate population growth.

Council documents state this is one of the reasons why the development was approved.

Eurobodalla Council is also working on a Batemans Bay CBD masterplan, with housing and apartments being an essential element.

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