Narambi Park subdivision proposal

MORE than a decade after regulatory authorities blocked plans to subdivide Anglesea’s Narambi Caravan Park into 18 lots, the Surf Coast Shire is now considering two concurrent subdivision and development applications for the site.

The two applications recently concluded their period of public notice and seek to amend existing planning permits for development at 11-13 Camp Road and 15-17 Camp Road.

The sites’ owners are seeking to reduce each development from six dwellings to five, cut building heights from 9.04 metres to 7.85 metres, clear native vegetation and construct a fence.

According to the plans, two-storey dwellings consisting of three bedrooms and a double garage will be built on lots of between 226 sqm and 461 sqm.

The cost of works is estimated to be $2 million and is being pursued by long term park owner Brendan Findlay via B & S Findlay Pty Ltd in conjunction with Michael Meyer, a development consultant and associate director with major developer Urbis.

In 2011, VCAT upheld council’s decision to refuse Mr Findlay’s initial subdivision plans – that did not include dwellings – reportedly costing him three years work and $100,000.

In media reports at the time, one of the reasons for refusal was local planning laws requiring new houses to stay dry during a once-in-a-century storm meant they must be above predicted sea level rises, this in turn meant that subsequent developments may breach height restrictions.

“We did not even know climate change was an issue with what we were doing, and they’ve killed it because of climate change,” Mr Findlay was quoted saying in 2012.

Asked what’s changed between then and now, council’s general manager of Environment and Development Ransce Salan said “the zoning and overlay controls applicable at that time remain the same”.

Mr Salan noted that there are now also additional overlays including Neighbourhood Character (which sets out preferred building height), Bushfire, Design and Development.

“State and local policy relating to climate change has evolved from that time with the existence of updated mapping, policy and assessment processes,” Mr Salan said.

“The applications are being assessed against all relevant policy and planning controls of the Surf Coast Planning Scheme, including clause 13.01 which directs councils to consider climate change impacts.”

Mr Findlay declined to comment.