Indigo By Moran - 156 Ocean Street Narrabeen

Objection to Proposed Development

The surrounding area is predominantly residential, consisting mainly of low- to medium-density housing. The existing neighborhood character is defined by a mix of single-family homes, older and newer townhouses, and small-scale residential flat buildings.

The proposed development, at five storeys in height, is out of scale and inconsistent with the established built form and character of the area. Such a large structure would visually dominate the streetscape and set an undesirable precedent for future development.

There is also inadequate provision for off-street parking. The proposal includes 149 residential units with 192 car parking spaces and only 7 designated visitor spaces. This shortfall will inevitably lead to overflow parking on surrounding streets, further increasing congestion and reducing amenity for existing residents.

In addition, the increase in traffic generated by a development of this size will place significant pressure on the local road network, impacting safety and accessibility for residents and pedestrians alike.

The development also raises concerns regarding housing affordability and community composition. With an estimated price point of approximately $3 million per unit, the proposal does not contribute to the provision of affordable or diverse housing options but instead promotes high-end, luxury living inconsistent with community needs.

Finally, construction impacts from a project of this scale — including noise, dust, and disruption to local traffic — will have a substantial negative effect on the local community for an extended period.

I truly believe this project offers a unique opportunity for the community as it enables the older generation to continue living on the Northern Beaches in a purpose built environment. This area offers very little opportunity for our older residents to live safely in a community minded environment. I realise current residents feel threatened by projects like these but the area needs to change and offer new opportunities for all age groups not just families. The project offers opportunities for residents to enjoy their senior lives in an environment they enjoy close to their where they have lived all their lives and therefore freeing up their current homes for the next generations. Northern Beaches residents need to accept change is inevitable as the population grows older places need to be available and everyone needs to be able to live in a place where they are comfortable happy and safe in an area they have lived most of their lives. No one should be forced to live miles away from where they have lived just because facilities have not been built.

The project is not in line with the local community the beach the natural environment and ecology. Anything North of Collaroy should be preserved from high density development. The locals are against it and people outside the area like myself dont want Narrabeen ruined by greedy developers

Narrabeen at present retains a coastal village vibe.This development will definitely impact the area visually bringing with it the potential for future development in line with Dee Why!

Ocean Street and Lagoon street is already insufficient and inefficient infrastructure for the level of population that exists now, to the point that at many parts of Lagoon street, there is only enough room for one car to drive down the road due to the amount of cars parked on the side of the road. Adding a new six level, large scale accomodation will only place even greater strain on the infrastructure and ammenities of Narrabeen. In short, the development is oversized and will actually lead to more traffic problems, congestion as well as increased accidents both of the traffic variety and humans.

This proposal is outrageous, it is too big and too high. Completely out of scale with narrabeens low rise / flat character. Plus it has been identified this is an encironmental hazard, located in a flood and erosion zone , which is unsuitable for dense development. We need to protect the beach, the lagoon and the remsining bushland around not threaten it further. If this development goes ahead it is proof of corruption in the planning process. This project gives nothing back to the community. Its time the government started to take seriously planning developments in harmony with the land , landscape and local ecosystems, not destroying it. Plus it is going to increase congestion.

narrabeen isn’t dee why

The INDIGO project is a retirement village that provides an aging community with quality housing and social integration within the local community. This project is a quality upgrade to most of the villages in the area, many of which that require serious refurbishment. INDIGO is located in the hub of the Northern Beaches, not tucked away in some backwater. Now in my 70's, the opportunity to join an active community is very appealing. Others, like myself, will down-size from larger homes thus freeing up larger properties. Opportunities for younger families to relocate or move into the area. Without projects that meet the community needs, like Indigo, the area will stagnate, not progress and potentially die.

I holiday in Narrabeen each year and note the run down state of the existing building on the site. I understand that a medium-sized retirement village will be built on the site to cater for local retirees who have very few options to downsize into low maintenance, community oriented homes in the area. I have elderly parents myself who are currently reviewing their retirement living situation and in my view the more options they have the better. Therefore, I am in strong support of the retirement village being built.

I Support of the Indigo by Moran Retirement Living Proposal

I’m 83 years old and have loved going to stay and visit friends on the Northern Beaches most of my life. At this stage, I’m looking for somewhere comfortable, manageable, and close to the ocean to enjoy my later years — and Indigo by Moran seems just right.

It’s becoming harder for people my age to find somewhere suitable to downsize without leaving the area we love. This project really fills that gap. The apartments look well designed, with lifts, parking, and good access to shops, medical services, and public transport. The setting is beautiful too — tucked in among those big old Norfolk Pines that keep the area feeling green and familiar.

The buildings that are there now are run-down and well past their use. Replacing them with something new, safe, and thoughtfully designed makes good sense. I also admire that the developers let the empty buildings be used as a women’s shelter while the plans were being worked through — that says a lot about their character.

I truly believe Indigo by Moran will be a great addition to the community. It gives older locals like me a chance to stay close to friends and family, in a place that’s easy to look after and pleasant to live in. I hope it goes ahead — I’d be proud to call it home.

This is totally unsuitable for the location and the suburb. 6 stories over a complete block is out of character and will spoil the look and feel of the suburb. To replace an aged care facility with a luxury housing development for over 60’s is illogical. There are insufficient transport options in this are as it is without adding at least one car per unit here. Over 200 cars will be added and multiples of that for daily car movements in and out of lagoon street. The streets in this area are being made more safe by adding speed bumps and more roundabouts and speed limited to 40kph for safety reasons. Yet these safety measures will be overturned by the increased traffic from this development. There is no social benefit to this development as it replaced an aged care facility providing useful accommodation for our aging population yet there is to be no social or low rent accommodation provided here. How can a coherent planning system allow a development of this scale of 6 stories when the current planning limit is three?? As a lagoon street resident I object strongly to the development. This would be such an anomaly in our suburb that I do not believe the planning authority could approve such an outlier when looking at the suburb and surrounding areas. Thanks for reading my submission.

The Northern Beaches needs more density and more seniors living. The population is ageing with few options for downsizing. Development has been severely limited on the Peninsula, and housing supply must be improved.

Submission in Support of the Indigo by Moran Retirement Living Proposal

I am writing to express my full support for the proposed Indigo by Moran seniors living development in Narrabeen. Having personally been searching for a high-quality, well-designed retirement living opportunity in this area, I believe this proposal perfectly reflects the type, scale, and location that would suit both myself and my wife for our future downsizing needs.

The Indigo by Moran project offers an exceptional opportunity for older residents like us to remain within the Narrabeen community we know and love, close to the beach, shops, medical facilities, and public transport. The inclusion of off-street parking, fully maintained amenities, and compliance with the Seniors Living SEPP ensures that residents can live independently with the security, comfort, and dignity that are essential in later life.

Importantly, the development sits harmoniously within the existing urban environment. Its bulk and scale are well-balanced and visually softened by the mature Norfolk Island pine trees that dominate the site, ensuring the building is sympathetically integrated into the surrounding landscape. The design provides excellent natural light and aspect for residents while protecting neighbouring privacy and views. In my opinion, the proposed development represents a vast improvement over the old, dilapidated structures currently on the site, which have long ceased to be fit for purpose.

The proponent’s demonstrated commitment to social responsibility and community welfare is also highly commendable. The temporary use of the existing building to accommodate women and families through the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter during the planning stage speaks volumes about their character and values. It is rare to see a developer use vacant property in such a meaningful and compassionate way, and it reflects a deep sense of care for the broader community.

From an urban planning perspective, this proposal fits seamlessly within the local context. It complements the scale of the surrounding apartment buildings and contributes positively to the local streetscape. It also addresses an urgent social and demographic need — the acute shortage of quality seniors housing on the Northern Beaches. As our population ages, the demand for suitable accommodation options that support ageing in place is only increasing. Without developments like Indigo by Moran, many older residents are forced to leave the area or remain in large family homes that are difficult to maintain and no longer meet their physical or social needs.

This project not only helps people like myself and my wife transition into an easier lifestyle but also frees up much-needed housing stock for younger families — helping to address part of the broader housing shortage. Its thoughtful design, convenient location, and sustainable approach will ensure a long-term positive legacy for the community.

In conclusion, I strongly support the Indigo by Moran proposal. It provides excellent amenity, accessibility to shops and transport, responsible design that respects neighbours and the environment, and a genuine solution for the growing demand for seniors living accommodation in the Northern Beaches. It is exactly the kind of well-planned, socially responsible development our community needs, and I urge the NSW State Planning Team to approve it.

Dear Council Members,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed approval of a five-storey building development in Narrabeen.

Narrabeen is a unique and cherished coastal suburb, known for its relaxed village atmosphere, natural beauty, and close-knit community. Approving a development of this height and scale would not only be completely out of character for the area but would set a deeply concerning precedent for future overdevelopment.

Unlike larger centres such as Dee Why or Cronulla, Narrabeen is not designed to accommodate high-density urbanisation. Its infrastructure, narrow streets, and limited parking already face strain from existing population growth. Introducing a multi-storey building of this magnitude would further impact traffic, noise, privacy, and the overall coastal character that residents and visitors alike value so highly.

This development risks fundamentally changing the look and feel of Narrabeen, diminishing the charm and identity that make it such a desirable and family-friendly place to live. Once this type of large-scale building is approved, it opens the door for future developments of a similar nature — permanently altering the landscape for generations to come.

I urge Council to protect the heritage, scale, and community integrity of Narrabeen by rejecting this proposal. Our suburb deserves to retain its coastal village character, not be transformed into another overdeveloped urban hub.

Thank you for considering this submission

This development is out of character with the surrounding area because:
The height of the buildings - much higher than the usual 3 storey buildings around Ocean St
The traffic congestion with around 300 more cars using Lagoon St as the entry and exit point
There are only 7 visitor parking spaces - this will create more parking congestion on both Lagoon and Ocean Streets
The closest traffic lights to Pittwater Road is at the end of Waterloo St which is already congested with traffic banked back up Waterloo St beyond Lagoon St
This development is absolutely NOT in character with the area, there was no community consultation apart from what colours were going to be used and what ovens would we like. I strongly object to this development in it's current state

The project is
1) Much needed. I understand demand for the homes has already outstripped supply and the decision on the proposal has yet to be made.
2) It previously was an aged care home. The site will be revitalised and be for mainly retirement living with 10 aged care beds. A similar venture.
3) The design has my support.

This development will create a place in our local area in Narrabeen for our older citizens to downsize and thus sell their current homes to others in the community. It will be an area that will create a supportive and social environment for them.

To the Secretary, DPHI
Project: Objection to SSD-76220734 – 156 Ocean Street, Narrabeen NSW 2101

We live in Narrabeen, and the south side of the proposed development will be visible from our apartment.

As residents, we recognise the need for more housing options for older Australians, but this is not about meeting community needs; it is about exploiting planning loopholes to build a luxury complex, which completely disregards the character, environment, and community of Narrabeen. There has been minimal consultation with the community for this proposal, which is disappointing.

The proposed height, as we understand it, is approximately 71% above the current allowable height restriction in this area. This seems to be a huge overbuild.

Examining the proposed plan, there appears to be very little setback, if any, on all sides of the development. The overall size will completely dominate the immediate area and directly overshadow several of our neighbours’ north-facing gardens.

There are also minimal aged care provisions in the proposal.

Loftus Street to the south of the development and Octavia Street, bounding the north side, are narrow streets, with parking allowed on both sides. These streets, plus Lagoon Street bounding the west side and Ocean Street bounding the east side of the development, are used heavily for parking. Many units in this area have one car space, so second and subsequent cars need to be parked on the street. The proposed development states that there will only be half a parking space per bedroom. So that means a 2-bedroomed apartment will have one car space. The second and subsequent cars belonging to that apartment will need to park on the street. We are not sure how everyone is going to be able to do that. There just won’t be enough street parking available. We are also unsure how many car spaces would be made available for the 3-bedroomed apartments in the complex if there is half a space for every bedroom.

Wakehurst Parkway is an arterial road out of Narrabeen. It is often closed because of flooding during heavy rain periods. In these situations, other roads are even more heavily congested as people try to exit the area using an alternative route.

In conclusion, we respectfully ask that the height of this proposed development be reduced by at least one level. We also request that consideration be given to increasing the setback on the southern side of the development to allow for greater space between it and the residents on the north side of Loftus Street.

I totally reject the proposal for the Indigo by Moran development at 156 Ocean street, Narrabeen. The proposal is overdevelopment and scale, it is to high with no set backs. Ocean street is already way to busy with the amount of traffic at the moment and there is a lack of parking for residents living in apartments already. The roads are clogged with boats, trailers and caravans already and a development of this size will only magnify the situation. the council 18 months ago were looking at dropping the speed limit on Ocean street for public safety , how can they be looking at increasing the amount of cars now if safety was a concern 18 months ago. Also the removal of 30 Norfolk Island pines is unbelievable, the council have forever been against chopping them down even cutting back for some residents with safety concerns, why all of a sudden is it ok to totally remove 30 of them. I am not against development but the scale of this development is way against community character and the infrastructure around it will have no hope of coping with the increased traffic that 143 apartment will bring.

As a person in their early 70s circumstances in my life have indicated it is time to consider moving into a retirement village within the next few years. I have often admired the Moran developments in Vaucluse & in Wahroonga & wished there were villages of this high standard on the northern beaches. I was over the moon when I heard about Indigo by Moran & have been waiting & following since they bought the site. I attended their information event morning & was really pleased with what I learnt about the village & how it looks,& how it will operate & am very keen to buy in. The facade & height is very similar to other apartment blocks in Ocean St , there is plenty of green space on the plan & this development will be replacing a retirement complex that existed on the site. I’m sure I’m not the only one on the northern beaches looking for a beautiful high calibre place to retire to & see out their days. Moran has an excellent reputation for building retirement villages of excellence.