South Coast residents fear multi-million dollar development will be ‘another Gold Coast’

South Coast residents fear a new $27 million development planned for their popular seaside town will ruin its “village feel” and set a dangerous precedent.

Residents of the idyllic Far South Coast town of Merimbula have shared fears for the future of their seaside hideaway as a local developer presses ahead with plans for a controversial new development.

The five-storey, mixed-use building slated for the centre of the Merimbula CBD has faced pushback, including from the Bega Valley Shire Council, owing to its height, since it was unveiled earlier this year.

According to council planning provisions, a building’s maximum height cannot exceed 13m. The shop-top development proposed for 29-33 Market St, which is to feature 52 apartments, is set to be 18m in height.

Resident Corinne Nicolson believes the $27 million project is a “bad move”, taking to social media to air her views.

“Do we have to be another Gold Coast?” she asked.

“People enjoy the village feel of Merimbula. Do we have to be like sheep following other tourist towns?”

That sentiment was shared by Mary Brady, who said the town has always been “a lovely seaside community”.

Artist’s renders of a planned five-storey, mixed-use building in Merimbula

“Merimbula is lovely to live in and to visit. Urban style development and bad planning has already marred the town. Enough is enough,” she said.

“Monied, self serving developers, and decision makers take a good long hard look at yourselves. Does the town need this? No.”

The project, which is being spearheaded by local developer Robert Green, comes at a time of increased migration from metro areas such as Sydney and Canberra, as well as increasing overdevelopment.

In nearby Eden, developer Core Asset Development gained approval late last year to begin work on an $100 million four-tower luxury complex known as the Sapphire of Eden. The project seeks to build luxury one, two, and three bedroom apartments in the heart of the once-sleepy port town.

Further up the coast, Core Asset Developments has also been given initial approval from a $30 million eco-resort nearby to a popular nature reserve. Those projects have similarly faced pushback from locals.

Jason Hetherington raised concern about over development across the region.

“I agree that Merimbula needs changes and has potential to be so much more than it has become, and am supportive of progress, but it can be done in so many other ways,” he said.

Renders of a new $27 million mixed-use development in Merimbula

Renders of a new $27 million mixed-use development in Merimbula

“I drove through Batemans Bay the other day; what an eyesore it is compared to what it used to be.

“Please Bega Valley Shire Council, do not let Merimbula head down that same path.”

Marie-anne Arnts said: “If this huge development does proceed, it will be the beginning of the end of this unique town.

“Lots of travellers remark that Merimbula is so unique with its mix of businesses and the water being so close to town – just the seaside theme.

“This is the tip of the iceberg.”

Garry Hetherington added: “Town Planning controls are there to protect the future.

“Do not weaken these controls for one particular project. Weak planning has already destroyed the Merimbula townscape. Height controls must never be reviewed or altered on a case-by-case basis.

“If they need to be assessed do it outside of any one application. In this case it should be: Reject the application, then have the community discussion.”

Others were more indifferent.

“Quite frankly, who cares?” asked Kaye Thistleton.

The floorplan for a five-storey, mixed-use building planned for Market St Merimbula.

“The height of empty shops and luxury apartments does not in any way address the most desperate need in the Bega Valley – affordable housing.

“My homeless family would not be able to afford a quarter of the rent of these apartments. They would not be allowed have their little anxiety relief cat, anxiety brought about in a young child by three escapes from the 2020 bushfires.

“This development is so irrelevant to me, my family, and hundreds of other homeless people in our valley, that the height of this fantasy, makes me wonder if I live on the same planet as council anymore.”

Amelia Souter said: “I’m all for development, and the design is good, but the height controls in this location, in close proximity to the lake edge should remain consistent with the development controls.

“The topography of Merimbula lends itself to a more tiered approach to the lake.

“I like that the design has considered street tree planting.”

The project is currently under public exhibition on the Bega Valley Shire Council website and will remain so until July 15. The council has urged anyone wishing to make a submission to do so online.