The Central Coast Council has submitted a request to rezone six foreshore lots in Ettalong beach from 11.5 metres to 17 metres and increase the Floor to Space Ratio from 1:1 to 1:75:1.

These lots currently contain a 2 storey motel, a vacant block, and a 2 storey brick residence. They are 43-46 The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach, 2257, which comprise an area of over 3,200 square metres.

The Council has received a proposal, from an undisclosed developer, to build a 5 storey shop-top unit block on this land.

The Council presented the spot rezoning request to the Local Planning Panel, who approved the rezoning, with qualifications, in a meeting item on 10 June  2021, which was not disclosed to the public . [1]

The residents spoke strongly against this proposal at the Council meeting on 29 June 2021[2]. Notwithstanding, the Administrator chose to forward this proposal to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) for a Gateway Determination.

The residents are opposed to the rezoning of this foreshore land, principally on the following grounds:

High-rise
It would add another 77 metres of high-rise units to the foreshore. This was originally zoned at 11.5 metres to reduce building impact at the waterfront.
There would be significant, unavoidable, shading issues on the Esplanade and the bushland area adjacent to the beach.

Beach Erosion
The properties are only 19 metres from the sand on Ettalong Beach, which has only plastic barriers erected to reduce sand erosion.
Ettalong Beach has had two major beach erosion events in the last 4 years, one of which caused weeks of road closures due to danger of road and building collapse. 
There is still significant and continuing beach erosion close to this site which has not been secured by the Council, and is cordoned off by plastic fencing, with warning signs.

Bulk and Scale
The huge bulk and scale of a development of 5 storeys over 3,200 square metres, at an FSR of 1:75:1, would be totally out of character with Ettalong Beach Village, and without any redeeming feature.

Local Impact
Ettalong Beach is a village tourist centre, with severely limited parking and road infrastructure. This proposal will seriously impact local amenity and reduce tourist appeal.

Proposed CCLEP & CCDCP
Currently pre-merger documents are in force pending legislative approval of CCLEP and CCDCP which retain this site zoning at 11.5 metres height and will have stricter compliance requirements.
Neither the Council nor the Developer have released the submitted plans for public comment.
The current and proposed Ettalong Beach DCP specifically states “Developments are to be designed to integrate the foreshore area to the village centre and residential development within the town centre should be able to enjoy view lines to the waterway, including Lion Island, and not be obscured by inappropriate bulky buildings.”

We respectfully petition the Minister to:

1.    Reject this Gateway proposal (CCC DP14595234) to increase the current zoned height from 11.5 to 17m, and increase the FSR.

2.    Encourage Council to review the ongoing erosion to the foreshore.

3.    Ensure the Council and ratepayers will not be liable in the future to building owners for development and ongoing repairs in this sensitive area as further erosion will inevitably occur.

4.    Ensure approvals of the overdue CCLEP and CCDCP are given in this year.

Residents for Responsible Ettalong Development