Bronte RSL on a knife edge

A report on the planning controls for Bronte RSL is set to be presented at the Waverley Council meeting next month.

The report will assess the impact of changes to Development Control Plans (DCPs) for the St Thomas and MacPherson St precinct, with Council to canvass community opinion on whether the current zoning of the residential area should remain.

Current planning laws allow heights up to a maximum 13 metres while the proposed 28-apartment block would extend to more than 20 metres.

The proposed Bronte RSL development aims to replace the current two-storey building with a six-level mixed-use site comprised of a 1,200 square metres retail development, an RSL club and four levels of residential apartments.

According to Councillor Ingrid Strewe, a community consultation report was issued at the December 11 Council meeting, identifying key issues with the proposed developments.

“It’s up to the residents to demand better produce in the shops; we don’t need to make more shops … that’s what they were saying [in the report],” Ms Strewe said. “Our job is to listen to the residents and lead.”

The proposal for a new commercial and residential area on the precinct has seen developer Winston Langley Burlington come under fire. But as yet, a Development Application (DA) has still not been lodged with Council.

Councillor Paula Masselos said it is important to consider how traffic will be affected in the area.

“At the last Council meeting, the community consultation report was issued. People [have been] quite concerned about the traffic and the impact on the [Clovelly Public] school there,” she said.

A spokesperson for Winston Langley Burlington said the development would be achieved by ensuring the privacy of local residential homes was preserved. Consequently, the developer argues the potential negative impacts of car parking access – particularly on Chesterfield Lane – would be minimised.

If the development were to go ahead, concerns have been raised over the threats to local shops along Macpherson St. It is feared the heritage qualities of Chesterfield Parade will be compromised by increased traffic and service vehicles.

Local community group Save Bronte Village was founded to prevent exactly that. The community-based initiative was formed to protect the Bronte area from harmful impacts arising from the commercially-driven development.

Councillor Angela Burrill said it was important for the community to be engaged and provide constructive feedback about local issues, particularly within local precinct committees organised by Waverley Council.

“I fully support the [Bronte] precinct groups, which [represent] an excellent way to have your say and to find out information about what is happening in the area,” she said.

Ms Burrill said Council organised groups play a critical role in informing residents about Council procedures, but there needs to be greater caution to prevent residents from being misinformed.

“What is a little unfortunate is that some residents have been led to believe that there is an active DA and the impact of that DA will seriously threaten the lives of their children,” she said.

“A great deal of distress has been caused to some people through misinformation.”

Ms Burrill said the final community consultation report and the planners’ recommendations will be presented at the February 19 Council meeting, allowing Council to determine the best way forward. A further consultation period will take place if changes to the DCP are recommended.

“This will provide a better position for councillors to assess what is the best solution for the DCP, which will set the conditions for the [Bronte] precinct.”