Huskisson: Retail, apartment complex could replace Owen St motel

Plans to demolish a main street motel and replace with a modern apartment complex have been lodged for a south coast hamlet.

Artist impression of the apartments.

A main street motel could soon be knocked down in a south coast town and replaced with a major, mixed-use retail and residential apartment complex, if plans are approved by a regional council.

The proposed retail and residential apartment building for 41 to 45 Owen St, Huskisson, has been submitted to Shoalhaven Council.

The plans showcase a three-storey building with three retail outlets on the ground floor and 18 residential apartments on the top two floors.

It is set to replace an existing, run down motel on the same property.

The land and motel is owned by local developers Jervis Bay Town Planning, who submitted the application to the council this month.

The apartment is proposed for Owen St, Huskisson.

A spokesman for Jervis Bay Town Planning said the proposal had “considerable merit” and was “entirely consistent with council’s vision for Huskisson”.

He also said the building fit with the town’s aesthetics.

The existing motel will be knocked down to make way for the apartment.

“The physical form of the building is well articulated and a variety of building materials are proposed to be used in construction,” he said.

The spokesman described the proposed location of the complex as the “main commercial/retail street” in Huskisson.

“The proposal provides for new retail and businesses to serve the population of Huskisson,” he said.

“It will also result in employment opportunities for economic growth.”

The proposal sits slightly above height limits.

The spokesman said the location was ideal for the ground floor retail outlets, with tenants to be determined at a later date.

“Trading hours, the type and nature of commercial uses, number of employees and the like is not yet known,” the spokesman said.

Planning documents state the proposal also includes a 42 space, basement car park, as well as above ground parking and a new driveway.

“59 spaces are to be provided on site together with motorcycle parking and bicycle parking,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman said the developers were hopeful the council would approve the proposal, despite it slightly exceeding the CBD’s 10m height limits.

“It has been demonstrated that the development will have minimal unacceptable impacts on either the built or natural environment and that the site is suitable for the proposed development,” he said.

“The proposal is within the public interest and council should approve the application as submitted.”

The development will open up for community submissions in the coming weeks.

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