Warners Bay units 'over development', residents say

However, the firm behind the proposal has defended the plan, saying it’s part of the gentrification of the area.

Elk Designs has lodged a development application with Lake Macquarie City Council for the units on Albert Street, on the edge of North Creek.

But nearby residents say they believe the development will have a negative impact on traffic, parking and the amenity of the street.

Irene Lojszcyk, who spoke against the plan at Monday night’s council meeting, said she counted eight instances of the applicant wanting an exception to the development control plan with this proposal.

She told the meeting that the building height, the proximity of the units to North Creek and the impact that elevating the block could have on receding floodwater elsewhere in the street were among residents’ concerns.

But chiefly, she said, they were worried about the impact on parking and traffic – which Ms Lojszcyk estimated would increase seven-fold.

“[The development] goes against the look of the street, the amenity and the comfort and safety of the street,” she said.

"This is going to be highly concentrated. Albert Street is a short street – we meet with Lake Road – there have nearly been a couple of bad accidents at that junction, so the increased traffic flow will be dangerous and hazardous to residents.”  

Elk Designs managing director Luke Stone told the Herald that the development was “entirely consistent” with the strategic intent of the location.

“Whilst it represents a change from the aged single dwelling house forms that have historically predominated throughout the area, it adheres to the newer development forms that are being undertaken as the process of gentrification occurs throughout the area,” he said.

“In time, as other adjoining sites are amalgamated and redeveloped, this will be the predominant form of development.”

Mr Stone agreed that parking in the plan was under the prescribed level but said the development would remove driveway entries to the four existing lots, which would create more off-site parking.

He also said the proposed height of the three storey development, at 11 metres, was a minor exceedence – the height limit in the area is 10 metres.

Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said the project was still being assessed and residents’ concerns would be taken into account.

“Part of that process will involve the project being referred to the Design Review Panel, a panel of independent experts that advise council on urban design involving residential flat buildings of three storeys or more,” she said.