The $13.6 million Pendlebury Road development received unanimous support from the five-person panel subject to a string of minor conditions.

The 60 apartments will be spread across three, four-storey unit blocks. The units range from one to three bedrooms.

The complex will be managed by Compass Housing Services under a 25-year agreement.

Representatives of the Hunter-based housing provider spoke at the meeting of the need for the style of housing in the area given there is a five to 10-year wait list for social housing.

The buildings' height of 14.25 metres exceeds the development standard for the area by 9.3 per cent, but a variation was deemed acceptable.

The panel questioned why there was only 33 parking spaces, but Compass said its previous affordable housing projects had shown a greater number was not required and the Pendlebury Road site was close to public transport.

A commercial space will be located on the ground floor of the block closest to the front of the 5200 square-metre site.

"The application has demonstrated compliance with most of the relevant controls, and where variations exist, has demonstrated that no significant amenity impacts will arise now or in the future, subject to the imposition and compliance with recommended conditions of consent," Lake Macquarie City Council said in its assessment.

"The development provides economic and social benefits to the locality, and as such, the proposal is considered to be in the public interest."

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