Woolwich Marina expansion plans refused
Published on 05 March 2024
At its meeting on 28 February 2024, the Sydney North Planning Panel considered a development application (DA) to expand the Woolwich Marina from 45 to 79 berths.
The DA was refused unanimously by the Panel on 29 February 2024 for the following reasons:
- The proposed development has not fully addressed the SEARS, including but not limited to the following matters:
a. incomplete community consultation, including with the Local Aboriginal Land Council regarding potential impacts on Aboriginal heritage values;
b. other heritage impacts, including a detailed analysis of the potential impacts of a known shipwreck {as requested by the Heritage Council of NSW); and
c. the navigational safey implications of the proposal having regard to current users of the waterway and the relevant legislation
- The Visual Impact Assessment provided late in the assessment process has not provided sufficient detail or consideration of the visual impact of the proposal both to and from the site and having regard to the cultural heritage impacts of the proposal.
- There is a lack of detail and assessment of the permissibility of the proposal particularly in respect of any existing use rights that may apply to the site, and as such, there is insufficient information to establish whether the proposal is permissible under the relevant zones.
The panel also noted that the proposed development would result in unacceptable heritage impacts, particularly on Kelly's Bush which is listed on the State Heritage Register as an item of State heritage significance (and is also arguably of National and International heritage significance). The proposed development would affect the setting of Kelly's Bush in several ways, including when viewed from the waterway; the visual connections between Kelly's Bush, the waterway, and Cockatoo Island; and the peaceful natural ambience and public enjoyment of Kelly's Bush from within it.
There were 432 submissions in total, as well as matters raised by the community during the public meeting.
View the full report from the meeting here.