Uniting Kingscliff Redevelopment

I object to the Uniting Kingscliff Redevelopment (SSD-47105958) due to the following:
• The potential flooding impacts when the site is filled
• The increased traffic on already congested roads
• The lack of parking
• The pedestrian access along Kingscliff Street
• Exceeding the local height limit
• The shadow line of the large building on the surrounding house’s
• Access of large trucks and tradespersons vehicles whist under construction
• Access to the new Tweed Valley Hospital for existing locals with an extra 398 aged occupants when the hospital is already at capacity

I do not accept this development whatsoever in its current form.

I object to the the Uniting Kingscliff Redevelopment (SSD-47105958) because it will totally change the character and the standard of living for the residents of Kingscliff and of immediate neighbours of the said development.

I object to the height of this development, the stated maximum height of the buildings is 16.75 metres above ground. Kingscliff current building height is 13.6 metres, additional fill will be used to add to the height even more.

This fill will exacerbate the already flood prone areas in the immediate neighbourhood as witnessed during the 2022 flood where Kingscliff was cut off for 6-7 days. We were unable to access the highway and telephone and internet services were down for 5 days.

I object to the extent of this development as it is far too large for the area and will create traffic problems in the surrounding access streets. Beach Street and Lorien Way is already heavily congested with parked cars on both sides of the road and it's the major bus route to and from Tweed Heads to the new Tweed Valley Hospital and beyond further down the coast. It also is the major route for the school buses, picking up and dropping off schoolchildren every day of the school week.

I object to the redevelopment as the surrounding streets will be heavily impacted during construction by contractors vehicles, as well as after by residents, visitors and staff vehicles in need of parking spaces.

I object to the level of noise pollution that will be generated by this development, it will negatively impact the surrounding low rise homes, generated by deliveries, shift changes, mechanical equipment - day and night.

In closing, I will say there is a need for the redevelopment of the existing Uniting Kingscliff facility but this is a gross overdevelopment for a primarily residential area with a mix of villa units, duplexes, single storey and neighbouring seniors independent living village.

Yours Sincerely
Michael Earlam
9 Osprey Place, Kingscliff NSW 2487

I’m writing this not only as a local, but a local that will be living directly across the road from the huge proposed development therefore I will be significantly affected.
Ask any resident why they moved to Kingscliff, and they say for the peacefulness and beautiful scenery. I don’t believe a development of this size is necessary, or fair on residents, many who have bought here long before this with the notion of a forever home.
I don’t object completely to the Uniting putting some form of accommodation but I absolutely object to this project size due to the below –
1. Height and dominance of the buildings – the proposed height is not in keeping with the surrounding area and local residents like myself will be robbed of privacy, sunrises/sunsets, the sound of the sea (yes I hear it at home!) and our ambience with a protruding 4 storey building. I believe a double storey facility would be more than adequate especially if backing onto houses. Its just financial gain and corporate vision and has nothing to do with providing affordable accommodation for the aged.
As far as I am concerned it looks like low-cost housing apartments with a vision for huge profits. It will devalue the homes around it.
2. Aesthetics of the area / locality – Kingscliff has the ambience of being low density with lots of green space. A beach feel. That is the very reason locals enjoy the area. I disagree with turning it into an abstract commercial apartment looking area. That can be left to the cities and CBD of towns. You will be changing the whole aspect and feel of Kingscliff.
3. Traffic safety and parking – this is a no-brainer. The roads in the area are already very congested as it is. Lorien Way and Beach Street are only 10m wide. There will be an increase in traffic. The existing narrow roads often do not allow for two cars to pass each other easily especially when cars are parked either side down the road by locals, which is exaggerated on weekends and evenings. As the area already has multiple complexes and units, residents are forced to park on the road. I shudder to think how so many cars coming and going will navigate these narrow streets. As it is, the buses and sometimes cars have to pull off to the side to let the passing bus and cars proceed. This road was never equipped for buses.
I don’t for one minute believe people over 50 have one car as per the representative from the project speculated verbally at one meeting. Not only will there be extra cars from the residents of the new project, but all the staff, and visitors not to mention the tradesmen, deliveries, gardeners, etc added to what is already complicated. Where do the overflow cars park and as the road in the area just cannot carry them. There is limited parking for residents as it is down both Beach Street and Lorien Way.
4. General public safety – as you are well aware, the floods in this area caused major havoc for locals, many who are still recovering. The developers obviously have a very short memory or not concerned about the outcome of such a large development. I have included pictures of the flooding on Lorien Way outside my house. This is the proposed entrance and road into the complex. How will you guarantee this will not contribute to future flooding for locals and more importantly what is the emergency evacuation plan especially if they are elderly and more vulnerable?
5. My first thoughts when I saw the proposed drawings was, ‘what a ridiculous monstrosity of a project to start with!’ Why would you contemplate something as dominating as this in an area with minimal access in and out of Kingscliff, in a location known for its low density feel and quiet, laidback lifestyle? This is a beach lifestyle not an aging low-cost development.
If you the approval committee are even contemplating approving this monstrosity, either number one you have never been to Kingscliff to view this beautiful quaint town or two you have no idea how much impact this will have on this relaxed, village-like feel of Kingscliff.

NOTING - pictures have been attached of
1. the floods on Beach Street at the proposed entrance of the development
2. cars passing each other on Beach and Lorien Way with great difficulty even having to break on a normal day. This is also with the cars parked on the verge and not even on the road legally. It shows this road is not suited for more traffic.

And I leave you with one question. Would you be happy if this was put up opposite your own home?

I object to the project, see the attached document for reasons to support my objection.

Thank you for the opportunity, i object to the application on the following basis
1 The village of Kingscliff is being treated the same a city suburb by allowing over-development on the basis that it is within 650 metres of the main shopping precinct. Nearly all of Kingscliff is now subject to redevelopment on that basis
2 The beauty of Kingscliff is its village characteristic, the proposed 199 living apartments, a mix of 1,2 and 3 bed apartments doesnt sound like accommodation for singles, retirees and empty nesters. It could add an additional 500 people to the village population and increase of 6.6% on current numbers
3 The development doesnt provide a connection to country, it would be an eyesore amongst the existing mix of single and two story building
4 The project will create jobs but there is a shortage of housing within the village and adjoining areas meaning there will be more traffic through the quiet streets
5 Kingscliff services and accommodation is already stretched with the opening of the new hospital.
6 The redevelopment only adds an additional 8 beds to what is already existing, and they are only two thirds full. The rest of the development, the living apartments are a residential development under cover of seniors living

I object to the Uniting Kingscliff Redevelopment SSD- 47105958.
This project is a gross overdevelopment of this site and has a total disregard to the surrounding environment and local residents. The proposed increase in height limit and scale of the proposed project proves this. The proposed project will have a huge impact on the flood risk to already vulnerable surrounding properties. The proposed project will also have negative impacts on surrounding residents including over shadowing, privacy, noise, added traffic congestion to local streets. This project does not appear to be a genuine aged care facility and is completely out of character with the surrounding homes and Kingscliff in general.
Thanks

This gross overdevelopment threatens the very essence of Kingscliff, a place we all hold dear for its character, fabric, amenities, and liveability.
 
While there is an opportunity to redevelop this site to meet the needs of our ageing population, the proposed development, in its current form, will not meet this need.
 
This development, despite its claim to be for aged care and seniors housing, is nothing more than a luxury apartment complex. The amenities and design features, such as high-end finishes and large balconies, are more indicative of luxury living than of a facility designed to meet the specific needs of our ageing population.
 
Demolishing the 112-bed Aged Care home and replacing it with a multi-storey facility offering 120 beds - a net gain of ONLY EIGHT additional aged care beds.
 
Minimum of four years of heavy construction vehicles accessing the site via the residential streets of Beach Street and Lorien Way.
 
Both streets are down to one lane when buses and residents are on the road.
 
These heavy trucks speed around the neighbourhood, posing a significant safety risk for our elderly community members, young families, public and school transport. The increased traffic and noise will also disrupt the peaceful environment, further detracting from the liveability of our community.

All residents settled here knowing this area is low density residential area.

This development is a medium density development and should never be allowed in low density residential areas.
 
Buildings up to 16.75 metres above ground level in an area zoned for 13.6 metres.
 
The biggest living complex for miles, entirely at odds with all other developments in Kingscliff, built on flood-prone land.
 
The neighbourhood has the floodwater coming down into the area from surrounding hillsides and the stormwater running away from the beach, and they merge and push against one another, and this already creates flooding in the streets,'
 
Additional fill will raise the site by more than three metres in some places, further exacerbating flood issues across many areas of Kingscliff. This, coupled with the destruction of natural landscapes and the increased risk of soil erosion, will have a significant and detrimental impact on our local environment.
 
Balconies on the proposed buildings, which are four storeys high, overlook the living areas and private bedrooms of single-storey and double-storey homes.
 
At more than twice the height of the surrounding residential buildings, which are one—and two-storey, the proposed development will significantly infringe on the privacy of existing neighbours. With around 100 windows looking into their bedrooms, living areas, back yards, and living and bedroom spaces significantly overshadowed, the development will leave existing residents feeling exposed and uncomfortable.
 
This development is giving residents NO PRIVACY.
 
This property then will be lit up all night further negatively impacting residents quality of life.

Construction workers and visitors to the area, who have no regard for the community we all live in, will park in surrounding streets, preventing access and causing traffic concerns. This lack of consideration for our community's needs and concerns is indicative of the broader issue of a lack of community consultation in the planning of this development.
 
There is already an increase in traffic movement generated by the Tweed Valley Hospital.
 
Our community rejects the notion put forward at the briefing sessions that owners of the independent living units 'probably won't have cars'. The increase in parking required for the facility is not close to what will be required to keep car parking off the surrounding streets. This lack of supplied parking will lead to increased congestion and safety hazards on our already busy streets.

Lorien Way and Beach Streets are residential streets, the construction and reallocation of the permanent access point for the property and creating a new driveway to access the site will negatively impact the area.

The Channel 9 News story which aired on Tuesday 11 June 2024 states they / Uniting Care consulted the community. They dictated to the community this will be happening and the developers have not provided any costings for each unit. Without costings how can they claim that this development is 100% affordable housing. Will pensioners who are on government benefits be able to afford to buy / live in a property here. I can categorically say this is a lie this is not affordable housing. No one is building to create opportunities for people to survive it is all for financial gain. Our local elderly residents will be locked out of their community just like all the generations of local families due to the NSW governments lack of action!
 
They are demolishing four homes that house families in an already stressed housing situation with vacancy rates of just 1.24% for rentals in Kingscliff, where 25% of the population rent as they can't afford to buy any more on a resident street and the median house price of $1.8M. This development, is reducing the number of available homes and does not solve any housing crisis caused by state and federal governments. This development is just another state blunder and is unwelcome.

It only supports developers and persons of wealth without considering the community or future generations.
 
I  welcome the members of the state and federal government to approve such a development over their fence.

I object to Uniting's proposed development

Please see my attached letter outling my objections to this proposal.

The Kingscliff Ratepayers and Progress Association Inc objects to this project. Please find attached the details of the objection. Should you have trouble opening the attached objection or require further information please email me at:
[email protected]
Thank you
Peter Newton (President)

I object to the proposed development with the following reasons:
Whilst the development for Aged Care in the region is needed, the scale of this proposal is too large.
My concerns are for flooding, traffic issues in a small village.
I would be happy to see this project but on a smaller scale.

I have concerns with the building height , traffic congestion, construction staff vehicles parking, and water displacement during flooding.

The Uniting Aged Care Application is not supported in its current form. This proposed substantial development provides for just 8 additional residential aged care beds. There is no surety the vast bulk of the development will achieve genuine affordable senior living apartments. Hence, there is very serious concern the process may be misused under the guise of aged care/senior housing when with the growth of an aging population it is of critical importance that housing to accommodate this section of the population into the future is properly secured, particularly with the redevelopment of such existing sites.
The site is significantly constrained and such a gross over development of the site will have significant negative and cumulative impacts on the amenity, character and liveability of this coastal town locality. Further, there has been extensive public consultation to develop the Tweed's planning tools and it is of crucial importance those planning tools are respected and adhered to for the benefit of all in our communities. Housing development cannot be considered in isolation, it must also consider the vital requirements of infrastructure and social services which currently continue to fall behind. Parking and traffic is already a significant issue and that cumulative impact on the locality has not been adequately considered.
Flooding in the subject locality has become a huge issue, along with the other areas of the lower Tweed River estuary. These communities are now working together to have this matter recognised as it appears the flooding and just normal tidal influences that is currently occurring is not understood.
The Tweed is mapped in the top 3 areas of NSW as Coastal Hazard areas. Turning the subject area into such an expanse of tar and cement along with the level of fill exacerbates the flooding with the increase of stormwater flows/quantity having a significant adverse impact on existing residents, and this cumulative impact has not been adequately considered despite it being a critical issue and a real concern within the community with much photo evidence to back those concerns.
The proposed development in its current form is far removed from any sense of adaptation to a resilient future. Nor does it provide the much needed increase in residential aged care beds, or any surety of genuine affordable senior housing for our growing aged population. Hence, the vast intent of the proposed development should be considered under the proper process as residential housing.

This is a much needed development for the older people in the local area. We are currently experiencing a housing shortage and this will provide much needed relief. I have visited residents at the current Kingscliff facility many times over several years and the current building needs to be updated to meet the needs and expectations of the community receiving aged care services. The land could be better utilised to provide services to more people and this development does this.

I object to the project because: I do not believe the size of the land will efficiently accommodate the infra structure and number of vehicles, and people proposed.
I object to the project because: we have seen the huge amount of water due to rainfall, that has been held in the proposed area during recent flooding and believe this will affect the distribution of rainfall affecting our property and the local community in the future.
I object to the project because: the proposed multi leveled buildings will grossly impeach on our privacy. The units look directly into our main bedroom, loungeroom, kitchen and deck.
I object to the proposal because: the volume of traffic in such a small street of Lorien Way and surrounding community will increase the risk to safety, increase noise and increased pollution. The prospect of where the expected many visitors will park also concerns me.
I object to the proposal because: the increased lighting and noise associated with so many people in a small area will severely affect our life. The massive increase of traffic and noise during a very long construction period will affect us. I work shifts and sleep mostly during the day. We share the fence with the proposed road that travels down the side and the rear of our property. The noise and constant moving of traffic will disrupt our daily living.
I object to the proposal because: it does not fit with community building style, height and level of congestion of Kingscliff. The height and level of congestion will take away our access to sun and sea breeze affecting our solar panels.
I object to the proposal because: there are many species of wildlife that will be displaced. They include the many snakes, species of frogs and birds that we watch daily. The include curlews, lorikeets, rosellas, magpies, native water hens, red and yellow crested cockatoos, galas, native minors, finches and crows. We have also watched a family of hummingbirds.
PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN WITHOUT MORE CONSIDERATION

Building an aged care facility and retirement village in Kingscliff offers numerous benefits for both older adults and the surrounding community. For older individuals, such a development would provide a secure, supportive environment tailored to their specific needs, ensuring access to quality healthcare, social activities, and assistance with daily living. This can greatly enhance their quality of life, independence, and overall well-being for older people.
For the local community, the facility would create local employment opportunities, stimulating the local economy and fostering community engagement. It allows families to keep their loved ones close, fostering stronger intergenerational relationships. Additionally, it can alleviate pressure on local healthcare services by providing specialised care for the elderly within the community. The presence of a retirement village also encourages a vibrant, inclusive community atmosphere, promoting diversity and mutual support among residents of all ages.
I truly believe, this development would not only enrich the lives of older adults but also strengthens the social and economic fabric of Kingscliff.
I’m not old enough yet, but I’m not far off moving into a retirement village, I think this would be just great!

I fully support this project. I work in aged care and I see husbands and wives who are elderly themselves broken with stress because they can no longer provide the care their spouse needs. This is a daily occurrence. Everyone who is looking for a bed for loved ones are absolutely desperate. And everyone deserves the opportunity to access aged care. We need to support the industry in order to support our aging community. It’s not until those opposing a project such like this need to seek a bed in aged care will they realise the torture families are experiencing with bed shortages. How many other families are not even trying to find care for loved ones because it’s all too hard. How many are bed bound on their couches like my own mother because hospitals couldn’t take her and aged care had no beds. On the lounge is where she passed away. Let’s not let that happen to anyone else. Please let this build go ahead, support our aging community, and allow Uniting Aged Care to continue caring for our loved ones.

I OBJECT to the proposal's bulk and scale and believe it to be completely OUT of CHARACTER with the surrounding neighbourhood and locale.

Subject: Urgent Objection to Proposed Uniting Kingscliff Development.

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my strongest objection to the proposed development. This proposal is not only ill-conceived but poses significant and unacceptable risks to our community for the following reasons:

1. **Severe Flooding Risks**: The plan to add more than 3 meters of fill to raise the site will dramatically increase the risk of flooding. This is reckless and unacceptable, particularly given the existing flood problems already plaguing many areas of North Kingscliff. This development will undoubtedly exacerbate these issues, putting homes and lives at risk.

2. **Destruction of Privacy and Natural Light**: The proposed building height of 16.75m blatantly disregards the current Kingscliff height limit of 13.6m. This excessive height will overshadow adjacent properties, resulting in a severe loss of natural light and an unacceptable invasion of privacy for neighboring homes. The community's wellbeing and quality of life are being jeopardized by this disregard for established limits.

3. **Unbearable Traffic and Noise Increase**: Introducing a second driveway on Lorien Way and accommodating more residents and visitors will inevitably result in a dramatic increase in traffic and noise. This will destroy the peaceful character of our neighborhood, creating a chaotic and noisy environment that is entirely out of sync with the current community.

4. **Potential Property Devaluation**: The construction of such an enormous, incongruous development will likely devalue surrounding properties. Homeowners who have invested in this community for its unique charm and the current development scale will see their investments undermined. This proposal shows a blatant disregard for the financial and emotional investments of the current residents.

5. **Blatant Breach of Local Height Restrictions**: The proposed building height of 16.75m flagrantly exceeds the local height restriction of 13.6m. This blatant violation sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that local planning guidelines can be ignored at will. Such disregard for established rules is unacceptable and threatens the integrity of our community’s planning framework.

In conclusion, this proposed development is fundamentally flawed and poses numerous significant threats to the Kingscliff community. I urge you to reject this proposal in its entirety to protect our neighborhood from these severe and unacceptable risks.

Wonderful initiative I have family living locally who will benefit from this development