Rose Bay Marina DA rejected

The rejection of a development application (DA) for Rose Bay Marina has locals optimistic after an enduring dispute with developers.

The March 20 judgement by the Land and Environment Court is the third rejection of extensive enlargement plans from developer Addenbrooke Properties in the last five years.

State MP for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton has campaigned with locals, petitioning parliament to reject the application after the developer appealed unsuccessfully to the Eastern Joint Regional Planning Committee.

“In terms of that application … which the community and myself are opposed to, that’s the end of the line for that proposal – the red light,” she said.

“The community concerns have been strong. It’s been a very big teamwork exercise both to make those views known to the State Government and the local Council.”

The DA sought to add nine new berths to the existing arm A of the marina, with the addition of a new arm C with room to accommodate 37 vessels.

But only a limited expansion of arm A was approved, and the developers have been asked to provide a revised plan for the marina this April.

Community concerns over the DA have stressed the obstruction of the Rose Bay vista, public access and increased maritime traffic.

Rose Bay Residents Association Vice-President Maureen Clark lobbied against the development and is hopeful that the latest victory for locals is conclusive.

“We would have lost our beautiful views. We have all these people coming from all over Sydney to walk along our beautiful promenade. The mega-marinas, the mega-boats and mega-rich … what right have they to restrict our views? I think this is going to be the last time,” she said.

However, public benefits listed on the Rose Bay Marina website state the redevelopment will provide an environmentally-friendly facility, in addition to an extension of the promenade along the main marina arms and increased boating options.

Greens MP David Shoebridge said the DA threatened to turn the bay into a “boat storage place”.

“This would have been one step down the road of turning Rose Bay into Rushcutters Bay and effectively a boat storage place on the harbour, rather than a beautiful open bay for everyone to enjoy,” he said.

Mr Shoebridge criticised the State Government for prioritising private development over public interest on the harbour. He said the move stemmed from the legacy of controversial former NSW Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi.

“Locals must be just tearing their hair out … every time they think they’ve saved Rose Bay they’re faced with yet another application from the marina developers, and a complicit State Government that lets it happen,” Mr Shoebridge said.

Addenbrooke Properties and Rose Bay Marina were contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.

By Pat Griffiths