Rodney Stevens

A new motel adjacent to Club Iluka is a step closer after Clarence Valley Council voted unanimously at its December 2024 meeting to amend the Clarence Valley Local Environmental Plan 2011 to permit use for a 9-metre-high accommodation structure.

Councillors voted to finalise the amendment to the Clarence Valley Local Environmental Plan 2011 (CVLEP) schedule 1, additional permitted uses, and the height of the building map to 9 metres, removing a ‘no height limit’ clause.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure issued a Gateway determination to Council on August 30, 2024, stating the CVLEP should be completed by May 30, 2025, which authorised Council under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to finalise the CVLEP subject to conditions.

The purpose of the amendment to the CVLEP was to allow a future development application for ‘hotel or motel accommodation’ to be permitted with consent on part Lot 11 DP 1269790, 75-79 Spencer Street, Iluka.

Following the amendments, the planning proposal was placed on public exhibition between September 20 and November 4, 2024, with Council receiving 2 NSW Government agency submissions about the proposal from the NSW Rural Fire Service, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Biodiversity Conservation and Science BCS Group.

Council also received 41 community submissions during the exhibition period, 31 in support and 11 objections.

Supporters stated the 9-metre height provision was consistent with the area, a motel (if approved) would ensure the viability of Club Iluka, provide additional employment for the town, fill a gap in accommodation options in Iluka, and give Club Iluka a diversity of income streams to provide sponsorships and support local organisations.

Objectors highlighted potential impacts to water, sewer and other public infrastructure, increased traffic, lack of parking, the proposal doesn’t address housing supply and affordability in Iluka, it could impact the World Heritage Area, and the fact there is adequate land already zoned SP3 Tourist in Iluka to support a motel.

In a motion moved by Cr Lynne Cairns and seconded by Cr Karen Toms, Councillors unanimously voted that council:

1. Exercise delegated authority as local plan-making authority pursuant to section 3.36(2) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to take all necessary steps to make and finalise the amendment to Clarence Valley Local Environmental plan 2011, in accordance with the planning proposal (Attachment 1) and Gateway determination (Attachment 2) on part Lot 11 DP 1269790 located at 75-79 Spencer Street, Iluka, being:
2. amend Schedule 1 Additional Permitted Uses and the Additional Permitted Use Map to allow development for the purpose of ‘hotel or motel accommodation’ to be permitted with development consent;
3. amend the Height of Building Map, from ‘no height limit’ to J-9 metres Height of Building;
4. note the submissions analysis (Attachment 3) regarding the public exhibition of the planning proposal;
5. note the submissions received regarding the planning proposal:
6. two (2) NSW Government agency submissions (Attachment 4);
7. 41 community submissions (Attachment 5):
8. 21 Proformas in support;
9. nine (9) written submissions in support; and

iii.   11 written submission objections.