At the May 28 Great Lakes Council Meeting approval was given for the construction of a 3000 sq. metre dwelling and facilities on the hilltop at the neck of North Arm Cove, the subject of a 38-page report and 42 deferred comment conditions including Rural Fire Service requirements.
New State Planning Guide lines stipulate the Council is now the sole consent authority unless the land is to be rezoned.
The Application is for a very large house and concerns the two lots that form the eastern boundary of North Arm Cove south of Bundabah to Fame Cove. These lots are part of a four-lot subdivision and all are presently zoned Rural 1a.
The building will be two storey and comprise three linked wings, have 8 en suite bedrooms, 3 staff bedrooms, 11enclosed car spaces, a central wing/living area, a Chinese dining room and kitchen, bar, formal dining room, home theatre, kitchen meals area, lounge, games room, large deck and pool and service facilities.
Council believes the application is consistent with the aims of State Environmental Planning Policy and complies with the Coastal Design Guidelines of NSW as it is an isolated coastal dwelling.
Council reports indicate that the building will be surrounded by trees that are higher than the building and that it will not be visible from North Arm Cove. The building is on the peak of a headland in bushland and will require an Asset Protection Zone of around 60m on all sides.
Tree removal is to be restricted and all trees and native vegetation protected other than within the building site, asset protection zone and access roadway most of which is already cleared. All tree and bushland clearance must have council approval and monitoring. “All other trees on the land shall be protected and managed in accordance with the Native Vegetation Act 2003 and other statutory controls, including Councils Tree Preservation Orders” All Lowland Rainforest must be protected in its natural state.
The premises use is limited to use as a dwelling to protect the amenity of surrounding properties and to ensure the development is only used as a residential development
The applicant believes there is no need for connection to the power or telephone grid as the building is to be solar powered with back up generators. Wisely the council has stipulated that any power line required in the future must be located in the corridor created for vehicle access to the dwelling
No cats may be kept on the land and any dogs restricted to the house site and Asset Protection Zone.
As the applicant provided only scant details of the buildings colours or finishes these must be approved by council prior to a Building Permit being granted. They must be natural colours and harmonise with the natural landscape. All glass must be non reflective.
The internal driveway must be constructed in accordance with Council and RFS standards and approved plans. Landscape plans and construction is to be carried out prior to issue of Occupation Certificate.
Whilst these conditions do much to protect this land and the values that brought many residents to North Arm Cove we remind you that this land may in the near future be the subject of Rezoning. Great Lakes Council as a consultant to the developer is presently preparing land use plans that may introduce further sub divisions and changes to the land use.
In the recent past a 200 lot sub division, golf course, eco-tourist facility and a large jetty in NAC have all been proposed as private facilities.
Considerable ecological offsets have also been proposed in return for changes involving part of the land. To date the details of these plans are not known to us as they are still being formulated but we are assured our involvement will be sought when the Council and developer prepare proposals.
Full details of the Council documentation can be found in the agenda of the Council Ordinary Meeting 28 May 2013
Len Yearsley
Chairman
North Arm Cove /Fame Cove Sub Committee NACRA.
