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.

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.

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.

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

To: The Secretary, Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Subject: Objection to SSD-76220734 – 156 Ocean Street Narrabeen (“Indigo by Moran”)
Introduction and Personal Interest
I am a long-term resident of the area. Most days, I walk along Ocean Street to the beach and use Lagoon Street for access to the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail. I am familiar with local flooding events and traffic conditions and have serious concerns that the “Indigo by Moran” proposal is inconsistent with the site’s environmental constraints and the planning framework that governs this sensitive coastal area.

1. Incompatibility with Local Character and Coastal Setting
The proposed five-storey design is out of character with the existing low-rise residential environment of Ocean Street and the surrounding coastal strip. The local planning framework for this area promotes low-density development and recognises its environmental sensitivity and flood risk.
The bulk, height, and continuous built frontage proposed are inconsistent with the open, landscaped coastal setting that defines Narrabeen. The visual impact analysis within the proponent’s own Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) shows that the structure would dominate surrounding homes and the streetscape, interrupting key public views and detracting from the natural coastal landscape.

2. Unsuitability of Site – Coastal and Flooding Hazards
The development site is within a known flood-prone and coastal erosion hazard area, as identified in the proponent’s own flood and coastal reports. The area has a history of inundation and storm surge events, and climate change will continue to increase these risks.
The proposed mitigation measures — limited to minor floor height adjustments — do not adequately address these hazards. Locating an underground car park in a flood-prone area introduces serious risks to residents and emergency services. The proposal does not demonstrate how the building could safely operate in a major flood or coastal erosion event.

3. Traffic, Parking and Accessibility
Ocean Street and Lagoon Street are narrow local roads already under heavy pressure, particularly during weekends and community events. The proposal underestimates the number of vehicle trips that will be generated by residents, staff, visitors, deliveries, and emergency vehicles.
Increased traffic volumes will worsen congestion, reduce pedestrian and cyclist safety, and impede emergency vehicle access. The proposed driveway access points are poorly located on a bend, limiting sight distances and creating additional safety hazards for pedestrians, including children walking to the beach.

4. Amenity, Overshadowing and Privacy
The proposed height and building footprint will cast long shadows over neighbouring homes and public spaces during winter months. The EIS shadow diagrams show these impacts clearly. This will reduce solar access and create a sense of enclosure for nearby residents.
Upper-level terraces and windows will overlook adjoining private open spaces, resulting in significant privacy loss and visual intrusion for neighbours.

5. Environmental Impact and Vegetation Loss
The proposal involves removing over 30 mature trees and established vegetation that contribute to the area’s character, coastal resilience, and biodiversity. These trees provide important shade, wind protection, and habitat for local birdlife. The replacement landscaping proposed will not replicate the ecological or visual value of the existing canopy for decades, if at all.

Conclusion
This proposal fails to respect the established coastal character of Narrabeen and is not suitable for a site subject to ongoing flood and coastal erosion risks. It introduces unnecessary hazards, traffic congestion, and loss of environmental value.
I respectfully request that the Department of Planning refuse SSD-76220734 in its current form, or require a full redesign that aligns with the local planning vision and environmental constraints of the area.

To: The Secretary, Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Subject: Objection to SSD-76220734 – 156 Ocean Street Narrabeen (“Indigo by Moran”)

Introduction and Personal Interest
I live in Elanora and visit the Ocean Street foreshore daily for recreation and community activities. I regularly park and walk through Lagoon Street and Birdwood Park, which are directly affected by the proposed development. I am very familiar with the existing congestion, parking pressures, and flooding issues in this part of Narrabeen. Based on this local knowledge, I believe the “Indigo by Moran” proposal is unsuitable for the location and inconsistent with sound coastal planning principles.

1. Site Unsuitability – Flood and Coastal Hazards
The proposal fails to properly account for the site’s vulnerability to flooding and coastal processes. The Environmental Impact Statement acknowledges that parts of the site are within high-hazard zones, yet the proposed design intensifies development on land that is already at risk.
Excavating for a basement car park in such an area poses serious problems, including potential flooding, contamination, and difficulties for evacuation during extreme weather events. The proposal offers no credible long-term strategy for managing these hazards or ensuring resident safety.

2. Incompatibility with the Surrounding Character
Ocean Street is characterised by low-rise residential buildings with landscaped setbacks and open views to the coast and lagoon. The proposed five-storey building introduces a large, institutional structure that would visually dominate the street and surrounding homes.
This level of bulk and scale is inconsistent with the existing character of the neighbourhood and undermines the established balance between built form and open space that gives Narrabeen its coastal village identity. Similar proposals in other coastal NSW suburbs have been refused for this reason.

3. Traffic and Accessibility
The Traffic and Parking Assessment underestimates the real-world impact of this development on Ocean Street and Lagoon Street. These roads already experience congestion from residents, surf club visitors, and weekend beachgoers.
Adding service vehicles, deliveries, staff movements, and visitors from a high-turnover seniors complex will create further gridlock and increase risks to pedestrians and cyclists. Any obstruction during an emergency or storm event could block essential evacuation routes.

4. Height, Bulk and Overshadowing
At five storeys, the building would exceed the scale expected for this sensitive coastal environment. The proposal would block sunlight to adjoining properties and cast significant winter shadows over nearby homes and open spaces.
The visual mass of the building would also intrude into public view corridors between the lagoon and the beach, diminishing the scenic quality that defines this part of Narrabeen.

5. Environmental and Infrastructure Impacts
The removal of a large number of mature trees will result in the loss of important canopy cover, shade, and habitat. This will increase the heat load in the area and reduce local biodiversity. The proposed landscaping will take many years to achieve similar benefits.
In addition, existing stormwater and drainage systems in Ocean Street already struggle during heavy rainfall. Introducing more hard surfaces will worsen runoff and increase the likelihood of localised flooding and pollution entering the lagoon.

Conclusion
The proposed “Indigo by Moran” development at 156 Ocean Street is fundamentally unsuitable for this environmentally sensitive and flood-prone location. It would increase traffic hazards, disrupt local character, reduce amenity for neighbours, and damage the natural coastal environment.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that the Department of Planning refuse SSD-76220734, or require a substantial redesign that is consistent with the existing scale and environmental limitations of the area.

I have lived on the Northern Beaches for my whole life, the last 25 in Narrabeen. I am 77 and am considering a move into seniors living in the area I consider home and close to amenities. This proposal by Moran is what I consider ideal and an enhancement to the local area providing excellent facilities in a low rise and attractive architectural design for an aging demographic, at a reasonable price compared to other alternatives. I believe this development to be a positive addition to Narrabeen and wholeheartedly support it.

- Overdevelopment : Six stories twice as big as most other developments on Narrabeen Peninsula. Totally out of keeping with scale of Narrabeen character and amenity.
- Offers no affordable Housing (which is needed on Northern Beaches) or community benefit.
- On a known flood plain. Evacuation along Ocean St during flood would become problematic. (Pittwater Rd Narrabeen is always closed in flood events as in 2016).
- Visual intrusion and overshadowing of neighbouring properties
- On the wrong side of Ocean Street to command such high starting prices (Can be built out in future).
- Environmental impact Threatens trees, water table, bird habitat, coastal screening and amenity

This project is just too big and certainly too high. It is out of character for the neighbourhood. The street is predominantly single or duplex single lot dwelling with occasional single lot maximum 4 level units. Six levels over 10,000 sq metre is ridiculous and inconsistent with Ocean street character. Too many new residents- 149 units compared to existing two level approximately 24 units. Too many cars will arrive with 149 new units even allow for new basements. It is a rich mans development, cellar, sauna etc. It is not affordable housing. Ocean Street cannot handle more traffic. Just too big and not “Narrabeen”.