Paul Pearce slams the secrecy of Coogee Bay Hotel developers
Coogee Rally Crowd
The Member of Coogee, Paul Pearce, has described the website for the Coogee Bay Hotel development as a “joke”. Oakstand, partners with C.Inc Hospitality (Cheung Group) who own the Coogee Bay Hotel, have released a public consultation website with mainly text based information on their plans for a residential, commercial, retail and entertainment precinct on the beachfront site.
Pearce believes the website treats 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, ” said Paul Pearce today.
Paul Pearce has asked the Oakstand and C.Inc to release the plans to the public and Randwick City Council recently approved a motion to formally ask the developer release the Coogee Bay Hotel redevelopment plans. All requests for public disclosure have been refused. Oakstand has previously said that it will only release plans once the Department of Planning declares their proposal a “Major Project” thereby confirming that the application would be dealt with by the NSW Government, not Randwick City Council.
Pearce and other locals believe that the developers for the Coogee Bay Hotel are withholding plans from the public because “ they know that the public will be outraged by the proposals.”
“I'll tell the public what the developers won't. Option 1 has 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,” said the Member for Coogee.
Pearce went on to comment on the emphasis placed by Oakstand on a reduction in licensed area in the development proposals.
Pearce said “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 Shadow Minister for Planning recently told residents at a public meeting that Paul Pearce should ensure the Minister for Planning rejected the application for this development proposal to be determined by the Department of Planning. Hazzard argued that the Minster for Planning has this power and should be exercising it in this instance as the site was in his view, a local issue, not a regional one.
Pearce argues a compromise position, saying “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.”
A spokesperson from Oakstand declined to comment on the Oakstand’s, TheVillage,Coogee website.
To view the developers website for the Coogee Bay Hotel redevelopment proposal go to http://thevillagecoogee.com.au/
Related Links
Three options for Coogee Bay Hotel, a clever strategy to have locals choose
http://www.streetcorner.com.au/news/show...
Save Coogee Village rally gives high-rise development the thumbs down
http://www.streetcorner.com.au/news/show...
For all Eastern Suburbs Breaking News Follow Streetcorner East on Twitter @StreetcornerE or go to
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Comments
Ron Green posts
Outraged indeed! These high rise options are 30-50 metres and more. THE ZONING IS 12 METRES. Where is the option that complies with the zoning?
Chilla posts
Well Paul Pearce is working hard for the community on this, but what we really need to see is a repeal of this 'major projects' legislation. Communities must be able to decide, not faceless Dept of Planning staff.
RDW posts
0ver 8,000 residents of Coogee and visitors to Coogee who have signed the petition agree - put in a complying development or go away. Residents with the petition will be at the Coogee Village Shopping Centre and the beachfront this weekend [8-9 May] in the mornings. Come by say hello and sign if you have not done so already. www.savecoogee.com
Cryptoman posts
Full marks to Paul Pearce, he has captured exactly what the community thinks of this 'development'. It is obvious why they are not releasing the plans........... This will be a real test for Premier Keneally's government
maria bradley posts
The lack of transparency and access to real information surrounding this development is of great concern. Should this be accepted as a State Significant Project by Tony Kelly,Minister of Planning we will know the State Labor party are protecting the interests of these developers and this negative development.
Susan R posts
Paul's really shown he's own side with the community but the proof will be in the pudding. I hope the Minister of Planning is listening to him. I wish we could forget but this government boasts all the time about how many Part 3A applications they approve.
oceanoldgirl posts
If this development goes ahead, it will be the end of Coogee as we know it. I note that on the very misleading website the developers have the hide to use the "Coogee village" idea. In my view, walls of 8 or 9 storey buildings with large shopping centres don't constitute a village and never will. The developer has no concern for the havoc this awful proposal will wreak on the locals, on the beach, or on the environment generally. The Department of planning should not take this proposal on but should leave it to Council.
RDW posts
Looking up from the Coogee promenade this morning and visualising what 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 storeys would be like all the way down Coogee Bay Road from Vicar Street to the old part of the hotel and along Vicar Street, filled me with horror. Gone would be the free, open feel of Coogee beach to be replaced with a looming presence blocking the sky to the west and reminding you that you live in one of the most densely popualated areas of NSW. The beach is about getting away from all of that not having it thrust in your face.
Popsy posts
People who have something to hide are the only ones who benefit from withholding information. They are trying to manipulate us, why else won't they just put everything on the table and honestly ask our opinion. I think they are preparing all their weapons and arguments and will only give the community a few weeks to comment on something they have been working on for years. I wish this kind of behaviour didn't get rewarded in life but unfortunately I think it does.
Ron Green posts
Good on you Paul Pearce.
Coogee Precinct posts
Friday was the cut off point for comments on this web site. So the question is -what happens next?
Ron Green posts
Who is Shann whose comments were censored on the developers web site?
Another 30 year resident posts
Where is the promised consultation with the public referred to on the developers web site?
Beryl posts
Another utterly depressing situation of developers having their way with impunity. But at least we have local members that are prepared to take up development issues such as this in place of those that should do it as a matter of course - the locally elected Council!!
RDW posts
What is the Minister and the Department doing? When will they tell the community whether or not they intend to ignore 12,300 people.
RDW posts
The Minister for Planning is Tony Kelly.
ME posts
The developers plans for the site are still secret some 6 weeks after they launched the web site and publicised it through the Southern Courier.
Julia A posts
Given the result in Penrith ,this would be a great time for the Opposition to guarantee and support local zoning laws in Coogee should they be elected. After all, the present Minister for Planning doesn't seem to be listening to his popular member or the community.
Coogee Precinct posts
The petition opposing this development keeps clocking up the numbers - as of this weekend (17-18 July) 13,800 people have signed.
Coogee local posts
How many of the 13,800 are voters in the Coogee electorate? It would have to be a fair swag!
Ron Green posts
I have not met a single local resident who supports this development or anything like it in this special part of Coogee.
Coogee Precinct posts
The petition will be at the Coogee beachfront this weekend from 10.00am for a few hours and most likely also after 3.00pm. Come by and pick up a copy of the Poster printed for the Campaign by Randwick City Council...and buy a badge.
Coogee local posts
The latest rumour is that they are have done a deal with Coles to provide an underground supermarket AND that there will be a cinema complex!!!!
Coogee Precinct posts
The petition will be at the beachfront from 10.00am Saturday [31 July] and Sunday until noon and possibly for an hour after 3.00pm - weather permitting. We expect to get the 14,000th signature sometime Saturday - you could be it! So please come by and sign up. We also have some posters to give away. These were printed for us by Randwick City Council.
Coogee Precinct posts
We will be out with the petition on the Coogee Promenade this weekend again [7-8 August]. From 10.00am to 12.30pm both days. Please come by and say hello. Also a reminder to join our email list savecoogeebeach@gmail.com
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