Burrill Lake: Decision on $10M Edgewater Motel development handed down by courts

The courts have made a final decision on the controversial $10 million south coast motel development The Burrill - 18 months after it was originally lodged.

A controversial $10 million south coast motel development will go ahead, eighteen months after the original development application was lodged, however some residents are calling it a “sad day” for the small town.

Developer Chris Beasley said construction of The Burrill, which will replace the current 1970s-built Edgewater Motel at Burrill Lake, is now set to begin in the second half of 2021 or early 2022.

The NSW Land and Environment Court upheld Mr Beasley’s appeal on May 14 after Shoalhaven City Council rejected the plans last year.

“When I first saw the property I thought that despite the motel being somewhat past its use by date, it was in such an outstanding location,” Mr Beasley said.

“Right on the lake and adjacent to the Princes Highway and one of the best beaches on the NSW South Coast.”

The NSW Land and Environment Court has determined the motel will go ahead. Picture: Colin Conn/Box Architects

The planned development will see upgrades including 25 four-star luxury suites with a modern restaurant, swanky rooftop bar and a lakeside deck, with community members concerned the 12.8-metre building went against regulations.

“The proposed development satisfies the objectives of the zone and the height development standard,” Commissioner Sarah Bish said in handing down her findings.

“As the proposed development is in character with the local area, this results in no adverse amenity impacts and satisfies the relevant standard objectives, compliance with the development standards would be both unreasonable and unnecessary.”

Commissioner Bish rejected concerns over potential parking safety issues at the motel and allowed a planned 53-space carpark to go ahead, and also allowed for a future subdivision at the site.

She said the “amended plans show traffic and pedestrian safety is assured”.

Mr Beasley said he and business partner Simon Abbott approached the owners of the iconic motel three years ago with a plan to redevelop the hotel with a focus primarily on tourists.

“We believe when we’re done, we’ll have created something very special for both tourists and the local community,” he said.

The current Edgewater Motel overlooks the scenic Burrill Lake on the south coast. Picture: Google Maps

Burrill Lake Community Association member Mary Scott said news of the approval was a “sad day” for the town of around 1500 people.

Member Greg Lewis said the decision sets a precedent for the future of the town.

“When the apartment blocks in other areas around the lake that are zoned for equal sized buildings as this hotel start springing up I solemnly hope no one in the village who supported this DA dare utter a squeak of complaint,” he said.

“(This) development could have been done better, and as a community, we could have done better.”

Fellow association member Tracey Surace said she agreed with Mr Lewis, adding the development would “destroy Burrill Lake”.

“The precedent has been set and this village will be destroyed by these developers and further developments that will follow,” she said.

Project architect Colin Conn said his firm Box Architects have found the “best fit for the site and its surrounds”.

“We wanted the venue to be a statement, given it will serve as a gateway to the region with its proximity to the Princes Highway and the passing tourists,” he said.

“It needed to look and feel robust, but be somewhat softened by an extensive use of timbers both inside and out, and with a view to sourcing those timbers, and other building materials, locally.”