Pearce describes Developers website “a sick joke”

Member of Coogee, Paul Pearce, has described the website for the Coogee Bay Hotel development a “joke”. “This mob are treating the community with contempt. The web site, launched with fanfare in the local press, disguises and hides more than it reveals.
There is not one diagram illustrating the alternatives that they have put before the Department of Planning. These diagrams exist and the developer should have the guts to release to the court of public opinion.”
“I know why they won't show diagrams. They know that the public will be outraged by the proposals.”
“I'll tell the public what the developers won't. Option 1 had a 15 storey tower as its centre piece. The Department of Planning told the developers that it was unacceptable. So they have come back with two alternatives. Both grossly exceed the prevailing height and density controls in Coogee. Both have a collection of buildings of up to 8 and 9 storeys in height. Both have up to 8 storeys in height stretching down Coogee Bay rd. The major difference is that alternative B demolishes- that's right demolishes- the heritage buildings on the site. The lack of sensitivity to the community in Coogee is breathtaking. It has been many years since I have seen such a developer greed driven proposal.”
“And, there is nothing in their alternatives A or B that will actually ensure that another pub won't be opened elsewhere on the site. Indeed by their own admission areas with a liquor license would remain.
“The Department of Planning should tell the developers to either put in a concept plan that generally complies with the Randwick LEP, including retention of the heritage buildings, or go away.”

The Liberal candidate for the state seat of Coogee and former Mayor of Randwick, Bruce Notley-Smith, says the development proposals for the Coogee Bay Hotel would be laughable, if the matter wasn't so serious.

He said the two proposals put forward by the developer so far were so big as to be a joke. And the third proposal - to knock down the historical hotel - was obviously just a diversion.

"The two proposals suggested are completely unacceptable as both are well outside the development limits placed on the site by Randwick council. Only a proposal within the council's guidelines will be acceptable to the local community. "
Cr Notley-Smith said "this property is prime waterfront real estate in a commercial zone.  The development should not need to exceed the current guidelines to give a good return on investment".

"The local community will only accept a development which protects the site's heritage value. Without the support of the local patronage the licenced premises and any other development on the site would have trouble making a profit"

"The developer is obviously designing his proposals to force the development to qualify under the Labor government's Part 3A bypass of the council."

Cr Notley-Smith said the attempt to push the cost above the Part 3A limit was so blatant that the Minister should reject it on those grounds alone.