CBH Development Proposal Hanging By A Thread

By Laura Terrance on June 24, 2011 in News

The landslide victory NSW Liberal government in the recent state election was an indicator for massive change in our state.

For Coogee residents the biggest change thus far would have to be the abolishment of planning legislation Part 3A, which will most probably mean the end of the controversial CBH development plans, officially called ‘Village, Coogee Project’.

The newly elected Liberal government have repelled Part 3A of the planning legislation, following through with their campaign promise.

This change in legislation has given local governments the power to implement their own planning laws. For the CBH this means their plans now have to be approved by Randwick City Council.

The decision has being warmly welcomed by Randwick Mayor Murray Matson, who joined the campaign against the CBH’s proposal.

“The decision to abolish controversial Part 3A legislation, which enabled developers to bypass local government, shows a renewed confidence in the role and ability of local government,” Mayor Matson said.

The developers of the CBH site have always known their plans breached local government laws.

But the CBH’s proposal was worth approximately $150 million, classifying it as a ‘major project’ under Part 3A legislation. Developers hoped that this would increase the chances of the plans being approved as it allowed their proposal to be submitted directly to the NSW Department of Planning.

Former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally supported Part 3A, arguing that major projects, such as the CBH development, would generate employment and economic stimulus.

Regardless of these potential benefits, the State Government under Labor showed no respect to Coogee’s local government and its planning laws, not to mention how unattractive a large building would’ve looked in the heart of Coogee.

A multi-storey development is permitted on the CBH site but local government laws state that it must be a maximum of 12 metres in height.

The Village, Coogee Project exceeded this limit by a large measure, proposing to build an 8 to 9 storey complex, not including additional roof structures.

Mayor Matson has suggested the CBH “abandon any proposal they might have had that did not meet Council’s planning controls”.

A media release by the CBH on May 13 expressed their disappointment at the NSW government’s overturn of Part 3A, stating that “parties involved have invested considerable time and effort in this project because we believe in its merit”.

The CBH also reinforced that their main goal is “to create a viable and vibrant resident, entertainment and retail precinct”.

A strong movement by the Coogee community against the plans has shown that locals do not see eye-to-eye with the CBH on this issue.

The “Campaign to Keep Coogee a Village” has been driven by Coogee locals who are fighting passionately to ensure that the CBH development complies with local planning laws.

The campaign produced the largest single petition ever to submitted to the NSW Parliament with 11,600 signatures, a figure that is still growing.

Locals have given up hundreds of hours manning stalls, selling badges and distributing flyers in opposition to the development.

According to Mayor Matson grassroots campaigning is still one of the most powerful ways for the community to unite and tell politicians what their electorate wants.

“The decision by the State Government is a tribute to the lobbying by local community activists. I thank the Coogee, Matraville and La Perouse Precinct Committees,” said Mayor Matson.