Charlestown residents who raised concerns about an "intrusive" set of units approved by Lake Macquarie council on Thursday believe other ratepayers will encounter similar developments in years to come.
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The council approved the 46 units, which will be built across four blocks on Kaleen Street, at an extraordinary meeting after deferring a decision last week so councillors could inspect the site.
However, only four went to the inspection and eight turned up to the meeting.
Residents had issued a plea for a rethink of the plans ahead of the meeting, but it was to no avail as the council voted 6-1 to approve them.
While Cr Nick Jones declared a conflict of interest and did not vote, only Cr Barney Langford opposed the plans.
He said the site inspection had satisfied some of his concerns, but he still thought it was "over-development".
"Because I have a history of supporting the community in ensuring developments are appropriate for the site ... I will not be supporting the recommendation," he said.
Cr Wendy Harrison said she was "familiarised" with the project after a site visit.
"I do understand the discomfort neighbours are feeling," she said. "[But] the proposal is permissible."
Cr Colin Grigg said "if we don't OK it, the Land and Environment Court might".
Mayor Kay Fraser said she had "listened to the residents" but believed the units would provide a boost to housing stock in the area.
"We are in a transition," she said. "The mix of apartments will bring great benefit ... we need to have people living close to services."
About 75 submissions opposed the project. Residents' main concern was the density, which they believed was beyond typical medium-density housing.
The council has signalled its intent to preference infill-housing developments, and recently outlined four "areas of change" set for "urban intensification" as part of its strategy to squeeze an extra 13,700 dwellings in the LGA by 2036.
A draft housing strategy also forecasts more smaller dwellings, like units.
Resident Brad White said the Kaleen Street development was a prime example of council's shift from a "resident focus to development focus" in the past two years.
He said residents felt it was just the "tip of the iceberg" in regards to council's "development-led philosophy".
"The process conducted by council is a clear indication that their number one priority is the growth of developer contributions and rates at all costs," Mr White said.
"Their lack of involvement of the community goes against their own community participation plan.
"This development is an extraordinary leap from existing densities and will set a precedent that will have adverse ramification for all residents across the city."
