Maroubra Beach heights capped at 16m

Planning controls for Maroubra Beach will restrict future development to a maximum of 16 metres following a decision by Randwick City Council last night, 22 May 2012.

Councillors adopted the draft Randwick Environmental Plan (LEP) following a six-hour Council meeting in the Randwick Town Hall attended by hundreds of local residents.

The LEP is Council’s main legal document that controls how land is used, what can be built, where it can be built and what activities can occur on the land.

Planning controls for Maroubra Beach will restrict future development to a maximum of 16 metres following a decision by Randwick City Council last night, 22 May 2012.

Councillors adopted the draft Randwick Environmental Plan (LEP) following a six-hour Council meeting in the Randwick Town Hall attended by hundreds of local residents.

The LEP is Council’s main legal document that controls how land is used, what can be built, where it can be built and what activities can occur on the land.

The height restrictions apply to the Maroubra Beach Commercial Centre bounded by Fenton Avenue, McKeon Street, Marine Parade and Mons Avenue which includes the SEALS club.

Randwick Mayor Scott Nash said the decision was a responsible one and showed that Council had listened to the concerns of the community.

“The 16m height limit is lower than the 22m height limit originally proposed in the Maroubra Beach Urban Design Study – which was publicly exhibited in 2011,” Mayor Nash said.

The study was developed with three years of detailed community consultation with local residents, property owners, business operators, the Maroubra Beach Precinct Committee and the Maroubra Chamber of Commerce.

“This is democracy in action. Council developed a plan in close consultation with the community, residents have voiced their concern about some parts of that plan, namely the heights, and we’ve listened and scaled parts back.

“Importantly there remains substantial public benefit in the Urban Design Study. Firstly the height limits (at 16m) are staggered and there is also proposed to be a substantial amount of new public open space – including a wind-sheltered sun-drenched public square on McKeon Street,” Mayor Nash said.

The draft LEP will now be forwarded to the Minister for Planning for gazettal.