A significant Development Application (DA) that potentially affects Angourie and Wooloweyah residents and visitors for decades to come is, according to CVC staff “not required to be advertised.” So says local resident Helen Tyas Tunggal.
“The fact that this interpretation of the Clarence Valley Council CPP (Community Participation Plan) has been applied by CVC staff means potentially interested members of the community are neither being informed of proposals nor given the opportunity to make submissions on proposals that affect them and their communities.”
Ms Tyas Tunggal said the DA 2024/0516 “Conversion of existing building to Bed and Breakfast accommodation” (old Barbaresco) would remove the existing commercial operation of the premises, to be converted into 2 residential units “to be used as commercial short term tourist accommodation facility.”
According to Ms Tyas Tunggal, the property is 1 of only 3 commercial tenancies that service both Angourie and Wooloweyah residents and visitors. It is zoned E1 Local Centre, objectives of which include: “to provide a range of retail, business and community uses that serve the needs of people who live in, work in or visit the area” and “to encourage business, retail, community and other non-residential land uses on the ground floor of buildings.”
Ms Tyas Tunggal told the CV Independent that after many years of community lobbying for safer traffic conditions, recent Council investment in improving the Angourie business precinct (i.e. traffic calming, safe crossing in front of the shops, speed reduction, alfresco dining, bike path and parking etc.) is based on those properties being commercial. The public space improvements benefit the community and reflects the character of that area being commercially zoned.
“However, this Development Application states that the street frontage outside ‘Barbaresco’ will be utilised as private common space of the two new residences which is inappropriate and not in line with the LEP and quite a significant change to the current public use.” She said.
Ms Tyas Tunggal said the CVC Community Participation Plan states that “An applicant for a development proposal that is of a scale and nature which may potentially impact the environment, amenity or neighbouring land or locality is required to carry out consultation with the community.”
It also states: “Council may dispense with the requirement for advertising and/or notification if satisfied the modification or review: b) will not increase adverse impacts on the amenity or enjoyment of neighbouring land or the locality. Council may also extend the advertising and/or notification period for up to 28 days where, it is of the opinion, the development may attract significant public interest or have an adverse impact on the environment, amenity or enjoyment of neighbouring land or the locality.” And “Council may consider the following factors when deciding if the land may be affected by the proposed development: The likely impacts of the development on both the natural and built environment of the neighbourhood. The social and economic impacts on the neighbouring land.”
“Regardless of whether or not residents support or object to the DA, it is of great concern to me and many others that most residents in Angourie, Wooloweyah and Yamba are unaware of what is being proposed and will not have the opportunity to respond.”
DA 2024/0516 is not advertised on CVC website and submissions cannot be made using the website portal. Some details can be found on DA Track IT. Submissions are due October 24 and need to be emailed to council@clarence.nsw.gov.au
“It was much easier for residents to keep themselves informed when DAs were published regularly in the local newspaper. My hope is that the new council will discuss bringing back this strategy to inform its constituents.
The current method of relying on word of mouth is totally unacceptable. The CVC Community Participation Plan and strategies for its implementation needs to better reflect the needs of the community it supposedly serves.” Said Ms Tyas Tunggal.