We are concerned locals who have started this petition protesting the development that has been proposed and currently under construction to build a 7 storey, 67 high-rise apartment complex on the waterfront along Beach Road to give tourists the chance to own a waterfront holiday apartment here in Batemans Bay. 

This new development, OHANA LUXURY APARTMENTS has been proposed by Canberra based company Core Developments to be built on the vacant lot 1 Herarde Street along Beach Road right on the water and in front of the Anglican Church and the surrounding neighbourhood.

If allowed to be built at such a scale, this will set a dangerous precedent for reshaping the types of developments built here in Batemans Bay and will spoil so much of the things people hold dear about this town. If this happens, it won't be long before further developers come into the community and build even larger high-rise buildings and ruin the coastline/landscape. Batemans Bay is not the Gold Coast, and people relocate or holiday here to get away from high-rise buildings. We want to preserve the beauty of Batemans Bay, not have it turn into a concrete city.

These luxury apartments were originally approved for 5 storeys, but were pushed through and managed to be raised to 7. If it's that easy, whats to stop more developers requesting higher and higher buildings to be built in the community, buildings that could continue to decrease the beauty of the area. This development was bypassed by our local council and approved by The NSW Land and Environment Court. 

To have an outside developer come in with complete disregard for the community and build a structure that will rob local residents of their views, devalue their properties and ruin the beauty of the Bay, just so tourists can own an ocean view apartment is appalling. Our local residents and preserving this beautiful community should take priority, not developers and their ambitious overinflated projects that will impact and change the shape of our little seaside town.

Developers should also not be allowed to construct 7 storey high-rise buildings in neighbourhoods next to single and double storey family homes and businesses. Development laws in an area are about precedent. If this is allowed to go ahead as it is on one part of the coast, it can easily be approved on another. How long before Beach Road is just high-rise buildings?

This current development might not impact you at the moment, but if we don't stand against the precedent that has now been set, the next development could affect you. Developments should not come at the expense of local residents and the natural landscape. 

GOAL: We do not oppose development in the Bay, our goal is not to stop this development but to have them readjust the size of the building to better fit in with the surrounding area. The maximum height of buildings along Beach Road are 3 storeys and anything that exceeds 4 storeys is just too high for the area. The current design stands at 7 storeys and buildings of this scale don’t belong situated on the waterfront, in a neighbourhood, towering over family homes and businesses, blocking out and ruining all the natural beauty for local residents. Natural beauty that tourists actually come here to see. Not concrete high-rises. 

We are appealing to Core Developments to have them lower the height of their building from 7 to 3-4 storeys to better fit in with the surrounding neighbourhood and to lower the impact it has on the local community and landscape.

Visitors come here to Batemans Bay to escape these high-rise views and enjoy the beautiful landscape Batemans Bay has to offer. A landscape we should preserve for future generations. As this development will start a domino effect that will destroy so much of what both locals and tourists love about Batemans Bay.

Please take a moment to sign, support and protect our beautiful town. The more signatures we get the better our chance. Please share with your friends and family.