Complex concerns Balmain residents
A giant commercial and residential complex may replace the Nutrimetic building on Elliott St in Balmain despite protests from local residents.
The $66.7 million dollar redevelopment will involve a demolition of the existing structures and the construction of a commercial and residential complex.
The new project will consist of six buildings with commercial and retail uses, a gym, 112 residential units and basement parking.
The site is currently home to the beauty and cosmetics company Nutrimetics. Bill Roche, the founder of the developer company Roche Group Pty Ltd, and his wife Imelda Roche have operated the Nutrimetics business since the early 1960s. Mr Roche has owned the Nutrimetics site since the 1980s.
Residents have expressed concern over the scale of the proposed development and have highlighted parking and traffic concerns.
Broderick St surrounding the Nutrimetics site is already difficult to access by vehicle, they said.
On February 20, Leichhardt Council recommended for Roche Group to redevelop the site on the condition that 2,680 square metres was dedicated to foreshore land.
The Council also demanded a monetary contribution towards additional open space needs.
The Greens MP for Balmain, Jamie Parker said the Council’s recommendations are strong but do not go far enough.
“The residents of Broderick Street are likely to be heavily impacted,” he said.
“The site is certainly for development but it’s about sympathetic and appropriate development.
“I think there should be another examination considering the bulk, scale and traffic impacts.”
The developers have provided the Council with amendments and additional information to the DA application. Despite the request from the Peninsula Precinct to extend the submission period, submissions
for the application closed last month.
The development application needs to be recommended by the Council and approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel before it gets the green light. Roche Group Pty Ltd did not reply to requests for comment.
By Misa Han
