Pittwater Life August 2017 Issue

ayed?
said many residents who
were looking to downsize
locally would love to
live in a compact, wellappointed
apartment with no
maintenance, close to public
transport and shopping
facilities and a higher
standard of accessibility.
She said The Boathouse
development on the corner
of Hudson Parade and
Riverview Road at Clareville
(right) was an example of
an “overdevelopment” that
proved unfounded.
“It has six Seniors Living
apartments and underground
parking and was the subject
of residents’ complaints and
court action… one wonders
what all the fuss was about,”
she said, adding she had
nothing to do with the project.
“This is a really welldesigned
development, which
snuggles into the corner,
beautifully maintained with
lovely landscaping.
“It’s a totally appropriate
infill development which is
needed in this area to fulfil
a clear demand for people
wanting to age in the area,
but not necessarily needing to
go into supported aged care
facilities.”
Similarly, she said
secondary dwellings were
now permissible in parts of
Pittwater zoned Environmental
Living (formerly zoned
residential) and were a great
form of infill development on
properties where there was
sufficient space.
“In some cases, compromise
is necessary in terms of tree
removal and aspirations for
tree retention, but it’s unlikely
to be justifiably judged as
overdevelopment particularly
where the property is of a
substantial size, and given
that a secondary dwelling can
only be 25 per cent of the floor
area of the main dwelling.”
Ursula said it was time the
local area was delivered some
quality buildings that could
be considered “beautiful” in
terms of their architectural
design – “I struggle to think
of more than one in the
whole of the former Pittwater
Council area” – with generous
landscaped public space at
ground, foyers with seating,
cafes, and the essential lift
access not mandated on
buildings under four-storeys.
“With a new Council
soon to be elected, let’s
take the opportunity to do
planning better,” she urged.
“Let’s look at the detail of
development proposals
carefully, collaborate with
both developers, applicants
of development proposals,
and the community, and
not shy away from proper
communication, discussions
around the table and working
out how to get the best
planning outcomes with the
least environmental impact.
“Finally, let’s not hide away
behind meaningless words
like ‘overdevelopment’.”
What Do You Think?
Tell us at
readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
– Nigel Wall
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
AUGUST 2017 11