Neighbourhood Centre remains
Image: Protesters outside Bronte RSL in December last year
A zoning modification motion for the Bronte Village development has been rejected in a close vote, with Waverley Mayor Sally Betts using her casting vote to ensure the site remains a neighbourhood centre.
“We are pleased that we have been able to put appropriate measures in place to prevent over-development and retain the unique character and amenity of this neighbourhood centre,” said Ms Betts.
Labor councillors Paula Masselos and Ingrid Strewe were hoping to amend the development proposal from a B1 neighbourhood centre to an R3 medium density residential area, a move which would preclude large-scale commercial development on site.
“[The developer] Winston Langley Burlington proposed their own version of what the development control plan should be, which was advantageous to them but not to the community,” said Ms Masselos.
The Save Bronte Village action group circulated two petitions, generating over 3,000 signatures in favour of a smaller residential development on the site. 86 per cent of submissions on the development application (DA) asked for both an R3 zoning and a 9-9.5-metre height limit at the Bronte RSL Club site.
“The original proposal would have allowed site-specific controls on the Bronte RSL Club site. It would be an anomalous zoning in [Bronte] and would create a dangerous precedent for further development applications in the area,” said Ms Masselos.
However, at the July 16 meeting Council unanimously rejected the developer’s DA for 113 Macpherson St, Bronte.
Save Bronte Village co-convenor Stephen Lightfoot said the decision was made on the grounds the DA has “excessive bulk, is monolithic and is non-compliant with many of the planning controls for the site”. Council also agreed not to forward the developer’s planning proposal to the State Government for exhibition.
“It’s the right thing,” said Ms Masselos. “As elected representatives, we have a responsibility to the people.”
The DA will now be presented to the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) on July 25 for a final decision.
“We believe the developer will come back strongly at the next meeting,” said Mr Lightfoot. “But the Council, planners and community have all said it should be refused. We see the JRPP has no choice but to refuse it.”
