A redevelopment of Uniting Nareen Gardens Bateau Bay was approved by the regional planning panel on November 30.
The application for 180 new retirement and independent living apartments and a 160-place residential aged care home will include a village green, barbeque area, children’s playground and resident clubroom.
The admin for Bateau Bay Community Collective facebook page announced the news today saying: “I wish I had better news and it breaks my heart to post this update but the DA has been approved.”
Nareen Gardens also announced the news saying: Uniting recognises that this news may bring mixed emotions for some community members.
“Please be assured that the wellbeing and comfort of our neighbours and current residents at Uniting Nareen Gardens is a key priority for us,” the statement read.
“Uniting is committed to working closely with neighbours, residents and the community to minimise any disruption during the construction process.”
The Head of Property Development Adrian Ciano said Uniting was yet to set a timeframe for the staged construction of the redevelopment or engage a builder.
“Planning will commence shortly, and we will keep (the community) updated,” he said.
The planning panel acknowledged the impact on the community arising from the lengthy and complex planning process which included four iterations of the development proposal.
“It also acknowledged that more effective communication and consultation earlier in the planning process may have alleviated some of these concerns,” the panel said in its reasons for its decision.
“However, the Panel also acknowledged the planning pathway chosen by the Applicant is provided for by the planning system and does not in itself, influence the assessment of the application, nor ultimately the Panel’s decision, a decision based on the information before it.”
The panel said it was satisfied that the development would result in a good quality and well‐integrated urban outcome with an appropriate transition of bulk and scale from the northwest of the site to the southern and eastern boundaries.
“The development is architecturally sound involving a high level ofarticulation, generous onsite landscaping both internally, and around the perimeter, and highly accessible and functional community open space.
“The Panel noted the significant changes made to the built form and scale to address the interface with the existing residential properties and that the urban outcomes achieved at the eastern and southern interfaces would not be dissimilar to what could be achieved for permissible residential uses under the existing land use zones and supporting controls.
“The Panel was satisfied that the proposal would facilitate the replacement of an existing and aging facility with a new, contemporary facility which will deliver a better environment for care including the benefits of co‐located independent living units (ILUs) and a residential aged care facility (RACF) which will allow for ‘aging in place’.”
It said the provision of 23 affordable housing independent living units in perpetuity would help meet the demand for affordable housing in the region.
The proposal was approved subject to the revised schedule of conditions set out in asupplementary Council memo dated 21 November 2022.
