Arthur Kaine Dr DA causing concern for Merimbula's Ocean Dr residents

There are 32 residents from 18 different homes in Ocean Dr who have put their names to a letter highlighting their objections to the DA which they say is an "over-development". They believe the building bulk and scale is not in keeping with the size of the allotment, and the amount of increased traffic through the proposed Ocean Dr entrance, to the development, will result in noise and increased safety concerns.

"This proposed arrangement for traffic places the full burden of adverse impacts arising from the inevitable increase in traffic on the existing residential amenity," the residents said in their letter.

In support of this claim, resident Dennis Souter said in a separate letter to council that traffic movements would more than double which would "compromise the safety of residents, and children at holiday time".

"Of paramount importance, the intersection of Arthur Kaine Drive and Dunns Lane will be negatively impacted.

"This intersection services traffic movements from Ocean Drive, Beach Front Apartments, Tween Waters Caravan Park, Metco petrol station, Aquarius holiday units, the Black Dolphin's secondary exit and bus parking area, the basketball courts, the Merimbula Markets and Main Beach," Mr Souter said.

"A turning lane from Arthur Kaine Drive into the new development at the developer's expense would be a safer option and less expensive than upgrading Ocean Drive and Dunns Lane intersection to cope with the increased traffic volumes," Mr Souter said.

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The residents of Ocean Dr have also pointed to the height of the block nearest Ocean Dr.

"The proposed building height of 11.24m will extend well above surrounding roofscapes - to the detriment of views and view corridors that have been enjoyed by many residents over many years. The proposed height is well over the maximum permitted building height of 10m," they said in their joint letter.

"The elevation of the proposed residential flat building to Ocean Drive will be visually equivalent to a four storey building (floor to ceiling heights of approximately 2.5m). In our opinion there is no aesthetic or architectural justification for this excessive height which will result in adverse impacts on surrounding and opposite residential development. The resulting urban form will be visually incompatible with nearby residential development, the streetscape of Ocean Dr or any other development in Fishpen."

They also take issue with the design saying the architectural design and siting of the proposed development is considered to be a poor response to its context, and is visually overwhelming.

The Ocean Dr residents are also concerned about the removal of native woodland species within the site.

They are calling for an extended period of exhibition for the DA "when hard copies of the complex architectural drawings and reports are not available to peruse at council's offices and local libraries," which are closed due to COVID restrictions.

The exhibition and opportunity for submission closes Friday, September 3 and council said there was no intention to extend the exhibition at this time.

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