Biggest developments coming to NSW south coast towns of Eden, Merimbula, Batemans Bay
The NSW south coast is rapidly growing and, with population growth, comes large scale developments. Here’s a rundown of what is in the pipeline and where.
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The NSW south coast is filling with rapidly growing towns as city dwellers continue to move for a sea change.
As a result, coastal towns are seeing large residential and commercial developments constructed.
Eden, Merimbula, Broulee, Batemans Bay and Ulladulla are just some of the coastal towns growing with multimillion-dollar residential high rises as their populations experience rapid growth, with current proposals totalling more than $300m for the region.
But where are these high rises being built, what are their price tags and what are the largest ones?
See the massive developments planned for the south coast here.
19-21 Weecoon St, Eden
19-21 Weecoon St, Eden could see a $61m residential, shop top and hotel development if plans submitted to Bega Valley Council are approved.
The major six-storey development features 57 apartments, a pub and accommodation, hotel with a rooftop bar, public promenade and road upgrades along the street.
A spokeswoman for Justice Fox Property Group – the developers behind the proposed building – said the plans were a first for the tourist town, which regularly had international visitors from cruise ships docking outside the CBD.
63 Ocean Dr, Merimbula
An $18m development could be erected at the 2.5 acre vacant block on 63 Ocean Dr, Merimbula, if Bega Valley Shire Council approves plans currently sitting on public exhibition.
Plans reveal the proposed three building, 59 dwelling, single to three-storey complex would be built in a “rapidly growing” section of Merimbula, surrounded by other three and two-storey developments.
Designs have been created by architect firm ‘Hugh Gordon’ showcasing three separate buildings, two of which are set to be townhouses, followed by a third apartment complex.
119 Main St, Merimbula
Club Sapphire Merimbula has proposed mega $20m upgrades to their bowling club, featuring a seven-storey hotel.
The project – currently sitting with Bega Valley Council – would feature 100 luxury hotel rooms with scenic views of Merimbula and the ocean, as well as a conference room located on the bottom floor of building.
Club Sapphire CEO Damien Foley said the seven-storey design worked for Merimbula.
“This type of development with its height is in the perfect spot in Merimbula,” he said.
“There’s a lack of accommodation in Merimbula, especially a lack of four to five star luxury tourist accommodation which this expansion will bring.”
58 Merimbula Dr, Merimbula
A high-end $20m mixed-use complex – set to be constructed at 58 Merimbula Dr – will include 14 luxury townhouse apartments, four luxury hotel suites, a rooftop restaurant and more if approved by Bega Valley Council.
The man behind the game changing Merimbula development proposal is someone who knows the south coast well, having grown up in the area before moving to Canberra to kickstart development firm Bulum Group – Nik Bulum.
Mr Bulum, when speaking on the plans for the mixed-use luxury complex on the site of an existing motel, said the coastal tourist hamlet had been “left behind”.
“You look at Batemans Bay, Nowra – these are south coast towns which are growing with developments rapidly, but Merimbula has been left behind,” he said.
“That’s why I wanted to build this here. It’s time for the town to start growing. There’s so many motels but there’s just no hotels.”
92 Smith St, Broulee
A controversial $5.35 million four-storey complex with nine units across seven buildings has been pitched for 92 Smith St, Broulee.
Broulee residents have spoken out against the complex from day one, complaining it belongs in Batemans Bay CBD – 15km north of Broulee – and not in their small town.
The building, if approved by Eurobodalla Council, would be the largest building constructed in Broulee.
Town Planning Solutions senior planner Elizabeth Slapp submitted the development application to the council last year before the council sent Ms Slapp a letter detailing concerns.
Issues ranged from the design not fitting the Broulee aesthetic, to the height of the complex leading to privacy issues for surrounding properties, and the clearing of all trees and vegetation on the block.
Ms Slapp recently addressed the concerns in a letter to council, altering the plans slightly to meet their needs.
29 Beach Rd, Batemans Bay
An $8.9 million six-storey building is on the cards for 29 Beach Rd if plans are approved by Eurobodalla Shire Council and would include 13 units and 27 parking spaces for residents.
The proposed cost also includes the demolition of the current two-storey premises where Raine and Horne operate.
A spokesman for Raine and Horne Batemans Bay said they were aware of the plans.
“We were sent an email a few months ago,” they said.
Novarum Batemans Bay submitted the application to council in May this year, with the proposal currently in a community submission phase.
A spokesman for Novarum Batemans Bay said more housing was needed in the coastal town.
“There is a lack of housing in Batemans Bay and that is why we have submitted the application,” he said.
20 Heradale Pde, Batemans Bay
A $37m, 57-unit apartment complex could be erected at 20 Heradale Pde, Batemans Bay, if plans are approved by Eurobodalla Council and the NSW Regional Planning Panel.
The proposed development – which currently sits on public exhibition – comes from Sydney-based designer and Place Studios managing director James Alexander-Hatziplis.
Mr Alexander-Hatziplis has been involved in the planning of multiple major apartments and mixed-use development projects in the Batemans Bay area since 2021.
Each building will make up 57 units, comprising 10 one bedroom apartments, 10 two bedroom apartments, 37 three bedroom apartments and nine four bedroom apartments.
Documents also reveal the proposal will include one common room, 116 basement parking spaces and five car washing bays.
1A Bent St, Batemans Bay
A $11.5m, 29-unit development at 1A Bent St Batemans Bay, proposed by a former mayor’s development firm, was recently approved by Eurobodalla Council.
The six-storey residential apartment will be situated in the Batemans Bay CBD opposite the Bridge Plaza shopping mall.
The apartment building will be exclusively residential, featuring 28 units made up of two and three bedrooms.
Construction on the building will begin in April, 2024 and last 12 to 18 months.
68–74 Beach Rd, Batemans Bay
Plans for a $31m apartment complex for Beach Rd currently sit with Eurobodalla Council and the NSW Regional Planning Panel.
The proposal features two six-storey buildings and 62 units, and will be among the biggest buildings in the suburb.
The buildings will include two one-bedroom units, 12 two-bedroom units, 44 three-bedroom units and four four-bedroom units.
Construction will require homes at 68–74 Beach Rd and 1–5 Golf Links Dr be demolished, however developers Eagle Homes confirmed it bought these properties in May 2018.
The proposal also includes communal areas at ground level, an infinity edge pool and indoor community facilities such as a gym, shared space, and sauna and pool amenities space.
131 Saint Vincent St, Ulladulla
A mega $120m mixed-use residential, commercial and child care centre development has been proposed for 131 Saint Vincent St, Ulladulla.
The nine storey residential complex, featuring four buildings ranging from three to nine storeys with developers promising the inclusion of affordable apartments, will be constructed at a former Bunnings site.
SMEC Holdings – the urban planning and engineering consultancy who submitted the development application to council on behalf of the developers – said the proposal responded to a need for additional housing, affordable and key worker accommodation and childcare services in the Shoalhaven area.
Plans reveal the proposed residential complex would feature 250 apartments, 60 of which are set to be “affordable”.
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