PlanningAlerts

9 Comments

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1. I object to this development as the building height is out of character with the area. Allowing this development will allow more 4 storey developments in the area which change the character of the suburb.

2. As a resident of Mons Avenue I object strongly to this application to develop the old Bowling Club site into a dense 4 or 5 story residential complex (senior or otherwise). The panned development is out of character with the streets and buildings bear the site. It is too dense, and too high; it should be no higher than the townhouse complex adjoining it to the East on Mons Ave, which is itself treeless and overly dense. Essentially the planned development is twice as big as the neighbourhood can bear.

   Moreover it its across from a school, which attracts heavy foot and car traffic in the mornings and afternoons, while on weekends that part of Mons Avenue is already choked with beach traffic and completely parked up. Therefore whatever development is built on the site should 1) shunt all traffic in and out of the complex only onto Malabar Road so as not to make traffic much worse, and more dangerous, at the school and lower Mons in general, and 2) supply a parking space for EVERY RESIDENT AND STAFF MEMBER within the site, perhaps underground.

3. I strongly object to this development although I am not sure if Randwick Council will read the comments or take heed. I am a local to the area living already parking can be a struggle, traffic increasing.
   The development is too large for the area ~ why they have allowed such a large commercial development here is beyond me
   The roof levels are too high ~ I assume they have managed to change some legislation for this
   There are too many residents to begin with and then too little parking provided for residents staff and visitors.
   Why is an aged facility wanting 3 bedroom units??~ money??
   There is no green space.
   Considering what the community is losing and the Catholic care gaining some consideration for the community would be nice. Some greenspace for residents and locals, a small garden, bowling green even, fountain etc along the boundary line at the corner so the buildings are set back more and the view not quite so harsh abrasive and offensive from the road way and partially hidden by the garden and greenery.

4. I’m a resident of Maroubra and strongly disagree with the redevelopment of the Maroubra bowling club.
   I feel the proposed plans are completely out of proportion with the existing buildings in the area and although I feel aged care facility would be good we do not need a monstrosity of a development to ruin the aesthetics of the Maroubra Beach area. Please listen to the residents and think long term not the short term monetary gain.
   Thanks

5. I'd love to lodge some queries in regards to Council's view on the importance of ensuring the DA for the Aged Care at the Maroubra Bowling club is delivering on the community's wish for a true Intergenerational Community based facility.

   In 2016 it was reported by Catholic Health Care ...

   “At the heart of Catholic Healthcare’s developments is our DETERMINATION to build open intergenerational community living spaces.”

   Q: How/ does council feel this DA adequately addresses this in its development plans?

   "In Australia, aged care facilities are typically located in the outer suburbs and are stand-alone facilities that do not have a mixture of uses beyond aged care, retirement living and some basic medical facilities. We have the opportunity to adopt the learnings Europe has developed over the past 15 years and start to design and deliver aged care facilities that are part of and contribute to the local community."
   https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2018/07/20/lessons-from-overseas-an-architects-perspective/

   Q: How/ does council feel this DA adequately addresses opportunity to be a facility that contributes to the local community ... and importantly vice versa, that the local community can be involved in place-based activities at the facility that integrate generations and encourage community cohesion / decreases community fragmentation & social isoaltion of our Elders?

   Q: With both Maroubra Bay Primary and St Mary's St Josephs and 2 daycares within walking distance, what has been done within the planning to ensure enough open area (outside and inside) spaces where different youth groups and other groups from the community can come for regular weekly visits? ( Including important outdoor green space located on site)

   Can you please let me know how much community consultation has been done in regards to buidling a new Aged Care in the community with these intergenerational considerations in mind?

   Again, revisiting the statement below ...

   “At the heart of Catholic Healthcare’s developments is our determination to build open intergenerational community living spaces.” To what degree does Randwick council feel the DA plans live up to this determination?

   I eagerly look forward to your response or the opportunity to be part of a wider community consultation in regards to the development

6. I would like to lodge an objection to this development application.
   Over development of the site. Height zone should be compatible with the development next door on the adjoining site which are 2 storey plus a third set back. There is very little regard to the existing character of the area indicated in the 3D renders which show monumental forms set to the street edge. Setbacks and street scapes should be considered. The development next door has indicated a very good relationship with the boundary to the park and should be used as a good example of addressing how to maintain the character of the suburban street edge.
   This development is too large will generate too many cars and is inappropriate for the site. The masterplan shows very little regard for the existing character of the area.
   

7. I write in response to the concept development application for the site of the former Maroubra Bowling Club (481-499 Malabar Rd, Maroubra).
   While I agree that more residential aged care facilities are needed in the Eastern Suburbs, I have seen the artist’s impression of the proposed development, and I have to say that I felt shocked by the sheer scale and density of this proposal. It looks significantly out of place with the surrounding area; and to my knowledge is not within current zoning restrictions. Four to potentially five storey buildings are at least two storeys to many. The building should also be required to adhere to some degree of setback from the adjacent roads. As it looks this cannot be safe or pleasant for the residents.
   I am also very disappointed that there is not provision for a community facility within this plan. To be sure, the ‘bowlo’ was a much loved local institution. We need more community centres in the area and here is a great opportunity to also create something that could offer a chance for the future residence to socialize with the community. There is overwhelming evidence that social isolation is detrimental, and inclusion of the elderly into community living and activities is essential for the mental and physical wellbeing of older Australians. Why was such a facility and meeting place not considered for inclusion here????
   I would like to encourage Randwick Councillors and the State government to reconsider this proposal. Here is an opportunity to create something of benefit to the whole community – I urge you to be more creative and thoughtful in your design.
   Surely we can do better than this monstrosity with its stark and loveless exterior that looks more like a warehouse than a light and airy home for the elderly that can also facilitate much needed inclusion in community life and activities.
   Yours sincerely
   Ute Vollmer-Conna
   20 Wride Street, Maroubra NSW 2035

8. Lets just gloss over the really bad points of this proposal ;
   1. There is some evidence that the land was dedicated to the RSL in perpetuity, (the state or quality of lasting forever.)
   2. That at 25m in height the buildings are nearly as tall as the Seals Club.
   3. Entrance to a 93 vehicle car park, (again think Seals car park and amount of traffic leaving and entering on Mons Ave.), opposite a primary school pick up zone.
   and focus on just bad points of this proposal;
   4. Lack of provision of green space. (Because we're all ready well served by adjacent John Shore park, trying saying that to the residents of Queens Park because they live adjacent to Centennial Park. Don't dumb down Maroubra.)
   5. Absence of any acknowledgement of sustainability design and form.
   6. Lack of reasonable set back between commercial interests and residential neighbours.
   7.And that any development should "maintain the character and feel of local neighbourhood". The size and scale of this proposal significantly impacts the amenity of the area and should be sent back to the drawing board to more closely adhere to planning guidelines, (LEP) and not allow developers and owners to corrupt the state governments SEPP (Seniors housing Policy).

9. Any independent person asked 'what would make sense for that site?', would never suggest an aged care facility. The fact that it must by law house a proportion of high care residents means a large numbers of its residents will never leave the building nor make use of the coastal position to enrich their lives. My father is an institution such as this I can tell you the overwhelming majority of its residents (even the non high care residents) will either not be able to, or will rarely make use of the beach or appreciate the village atmosphere of the local area. Conversely however this business will convert the area into a restricted access zone not open to the rest of the community. Only those with swipe cards or access codes or specific business in the building will gain entry. This is how these facilities operate, it is a necessary part of caring for dementia patients. The very size of the business and the amount of traffic it generates will however impact on the ability of the rest of society to make use of the rare coastal precinct.

   The Maroubra beach area is nestled in a small cozy space at the base of surrounding hills, when added to the already large and blocky Maroubra Seals the size of the proposed building will transform the look and feel of the whole area. The built environment is key to creating the look and feel of an area. People come to the beach from far and wide for recreation and to get a sense of space and nature. A built environment with massive concrete structures pushing into the sky are anathema to that purpose. It is also much easier to erode a sense of community with large buildings than to build one. There are also practical reasons why having so much more traffic to the area is not a good idea.
   Parking is already difficult to find, in the last 5 years the number of cars permanently parked on the surrounding streets has soared and it is difficult already to find parking even on rainy days.
   It makes total sense to build aged care facilities and it is our moral duty to care for elderly people but let us make no bones about the fact that the driving force behind this development are the business interests of a large institutional investor. While these business interests are legitimate and should be encouraged they are not the right fit for this location.
   The external costs of this development are high and so is the opportunity cost of not developing something that might deliver greater utility to greater numbers of people in the broader community. It just makes no sense to house large numbers of high care people confined to their building in an area so close such a valuable public resource for recreation.
   This is wrong place for the right development. The beach precinct and its surrounds are a recreational jewel in the crown of our society, lets not clog it up with a business that can be carried out just as successfully somewhere more appropriate.

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