Putting The Heart Back Into Maroubra Beach

By Randwick City Council on August 19, 2011 in News

An artist's impression of the McKeon St upgrade

A sun-drenched public square could be created on McKeon Street at Maroubra Beach as part of Randwick City Council plans to reinvigorate the beachside retail centre.

The proposal is part of an Urban Design Study currently on public exhibition until October 14 for community comments and feedback.

The study was developed with three years of detailed community consultation with local residents, property owners, business operators, the Maroubra Beach Precinct Committee and the Maroubra Chamber of Commerce.

This design report proposes potential planning controls which, along with community feedback, will help Council prepare a Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan to guide development at Maroubra Beach during the next 20 years.

The Maroubra Beach Urban Design Study proposes:

• creating a new retail heart for the Maroubra Beach commercial centre (bounded by Fenton Avenue, McKeon Street, Marine Parade and Mons Avenue)
• a new north-facing public square fronting McKeon Street and protected from southerly winds
• investigating a shared zone on McKeon Street to give priority to pedestrians
• almost 4,000 sqm of new open space
• 381 car parking spaces
• approximately 227 new residential apartments
• new retail outlets
• building heights of four and five storeys along Marine Parade with two slender and recessed six-storey wings
• changing the zoning to B1 ‘Neighbourhood Centre’ which allows a mix of residential and commercial development

Randwick Mayor Murray Matson said the Council has worked closely with the local community to retain the beachside character of the area while creating a vibrant and economically viable town centre.

“These planning controls will influence the shape of Maroubra for the next 20 years,” Mayor Matson said. “I encourage all local residents interested in the area to view the Urban Design Study and have your say.”

You can see a copy of the Urban Design Study at:

• www.randwick.nsw.gov.au under ‘have my say’
• Council’s Customer Service Centre, 30 Frances Street Randwick, between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday
• Council’s Libraries during Library hours – Bowen Library, 669-673 Anzac Parade Maroubra; Randwick Library, Level 1 Royal Randwick Shopping Centre Randwick; Malabar Community Library, 1203 Anzac Parade Matraville.

Council wants to hear what you think about the Maroubra Beach Urban Design Study. Send your comments in writing, clearly headed ‘Maroubra Beach Commercial Centre Urban Design Study’ by email to general.manager@randwick.nsw.gov.au or by post to the General Manager, Randwick City Council, 30 Frances Street Randwick NSW 2031

For more information call Council’s Senior Strategic Planner, Grace Houw on 9399-0982.