I am writing to formally raise my objection and concern regarding the proposed six-storey “Over 60s” apartment development in Narrabeen. As a local resident, I am deeply concerned that this proposal is incompatible with the existing character, scale, and environmental context of our community.
1. Incompatibility with Local Character
Narrabeen is a low-rise coastal suburb known for its relaxed, community-focused atmosphere and proximity to the beach. The construction of a six-storey building — the tallest in the area — would disrupt the established streetscape and significantly alter the visual character of our suburb. The proposed height and bulk of the development would stand out prominently, diminishing the coastal aesthetic and charm that define Narrabeen and make it a unique part of the Northern Beaches.
2. Insufficient Parking and Traffic Impacts
The proposed development provides inadequate parking for residents and visitors. This shortfall will inevitably spill over into surrounding streets, increasing congestion and reducing accessibility for existing residents and businesses.
Narrabeen is already experiencing growing traffic volumes, particularly during peak hours and weekends, and this development will exacerbate congestion and parking stress in an area with already limited capacity.
3. Environmental and Coastal Sensitivity
Narrabeen is an environmentally sensitive coastal area, bordered by both Narrabeen Beach and Narrabeen Lagoon. The scale and intensity of this development pose potential risks to local biodiversity, dune systems, and coastal processes. The project appears to disregard the principles of sustainable and context-sensitive coastal planning that are critical to protecting the natural environment for future generations.
4. Unsuitability for the Area
While the need for over-60s accommodation is understood, this particular proposal is unsuitable for the site and broader area. A more appropriate approach would involve low- to mid-rise development that integrates sensitively with the existing built form, provides adequate infrastructure, and preserves the unique coastal character of Narrabeen.
In summary, I urge the NSW Government and Northern Beaches Council to reconsider or reject this development in its current form. I also request that the planning authority conduct a comprehensive review of the proposal’s impact on local character, parking, traffic, and environmental sustainability.
Thank you for considering this submission. I would appreciate acknowledgment of this correspondence and information about any further opportunities for community consultation on this matter.

To whom it may concern,
I am writing to object to the development SSD-76220734 – 156 Ocean Street Narrabeen.

I am a nearby resident, residing at 50 lagoon street, approximately 120m from the site of proposed works. i strongly object to the development on multiple grounds.

- Scale and height
The proposed project appears to be incompatible with the current size and scope of pre-existing buildings within the local area. Six storeys is in significant excess of the current planning restrictions and will be an unsightly imposition on the local landscape, visible from all surrouning suburbs.

- parking and accessibility
The current parking allowances onsite are far too meagre considering the area is already at or above capacity for street parking. 178 car aprking spots for 149 units, especially once admisnistration staff and visitors are included. By my estimates 270 car parking spaces only just covers the average car per household expectancy for 149 units, with an additional 15-20 required for staff and visitors. Where are these 120-130 additional cars going to park? I already struggle to find a space to park around my house. This is unacceptable and unfeasible.

- Excavation, groundwater levels and acid sulfate soils.
Although parking is an issue, so is the size of the basment. at a FFL of RL -1.00, this is at least 1.50m below anticiapted groundwater table levels. implying that a significant dewatering regime will be in place for an execssive period of time. The areas in and around the site also fall under Class 1, 3 and 5 acid sulfate soils hazard zones. The dewatering regime poses a significant risk of lowering the water table in adjacent sites. this is unacaptable. Additionally, where will this pumped out water be relocated to? The existing overloaded stormwater assets in the area. This is unaccpetable.


I am not opposed to development of the site as a whole. It needs to be improved and has great potential. I am however in direct opposition to the scale of the project. A reduction of two storeys would still make it the tallest structure on the peninsula and provide 100 new apartments. It would also preclude the requirement of over 100 car spots, hopefully allowing the development to have suitable onsite parking.

This development does not need to be stopped completely, it needs to be rethought and reduced in scope or it risks significant detrimental community effects and subsequent backlash from the community. It should improve the community, not exacerbate pre-exsiting issues and potentially create new ones.

There has been No local consultation by the developer and only a last minute submission period.
The development is luxury senior housing of 2 - 3 bedroom units. Seniors living the local area cannot afford the luxury price point. The development does not match the needs of the Narrabeen community. This development has also removed more affordable senior housing.
Units in the Narrabeen Ocean and Pittwater Rd area are predominantly 2 -3 stories high, with 2 exceptions near the fire station, corner of Ocean and Pittwater. Therefore this over height development of 6 !!! - storeys is obscenely over height by 3 storeys. Apartments built at the northern end of Lagoon st are 3 storeys in height and more in keeping with community expectations and council regulations.
Looking at the plans the sheer bulk is visually intrusive and not in keeping with the nature of current local developments. It looks more in keeping with an inner city development.
The impact of the height and width of the building will cause the loss of direct sunlight to its neighbours and local streets. The shadow this development will cast seriously effects both close and nearby homes and is not acceptable. Narrabeen local environment currently has open areas and substantial setbacks to allow sunlight to nurture vegetation and allow local residents access to sunlight. This project inhibits sunlight and casts long shadows.
The block nature of this development, with building on all four sides for a considerable distance creates a wind tunnel effect. Strong winds from the ocean will be channelled down Ocean st, Lagoon st , Loftus st and Octavia st increasing their ability to cause damage and decreasing the comfort level of local walkers and visitors to the area walking the lake paths, which include Lagoon st. Storm damage will increase with the effect of wind tunnel gusts caused by the sheer bulk, size and position of the development.
The height and bulk of the development will necessitate the removal of many mature trees and shrubs. These are the very plants that lessen the effects of coastal winds and hold the sand dunes together. Please note that this development is being built on a sand dunes and it is vital that mature trees with extensive roots systems, which hold the sand together are not disturbed.
These same trees are also the habitats of local Australian birds including the Sea Eagle, Kookaburra and parrot species.
Ocean St and Lagoon st are already at their capacity carrying cars, trucks and other vehicles . Both these streets are used as a rat run and cut through by traffic avoiding Pittwater Rd. I once waited for 47 cars to pass whilst trying to cross Ocean st at the intersection of Octavia st.
Council has already acknowledged the poor parking and heavy traffic on this spit of land in their last traffic and parking draft proposal.
I note also that driveway access is onto Lagoon st. Lagoon st has become the overflow for traffic along Ocean st and is a busy thoroughfare. Lagoon st has cars flying down the street. With substantial narrowing of the Street at the northern end of Lagoon st this road is ill equipped to carry the extra potential 298 cars entering and leaving the building. Traffic is already a crawl on Ocean st and Lagoon St, a suburban st is carrying too much overflow from Pittwater Rd and Ocean st to have a entry and access point for this huge development. Likewise Loftus st and Octavia st is a single lane st and could not support an access point for parking.
Both Ocean st and Lagoon st are near impossible to find a park from late afternoon. Where will all the extra cars park ?

In summary this development does not meet the needs of seniors in the local community. The size of the development is outrageously over the top. Apartments at the northern end of Lagoon st are more appropriate to this spit of sand between the beach and the lake.Furthermore the development is bulky and block like. This design will encourage coastal winds to become stronger and believe me the winds here can be very strong. This development seriously blocks sunlight to surroundings areas.
The loss of mature trees with large root systems which hold the sands together and provide bird habitats is unacceptable.
I encourage Moran to decrease both the footprint and height of their development which is not in keeping with current developments in the area.
Kerrie Wetzlar

I wish to propose this development. As I am a local resident and very concerned about the scale and scope of the development itself.

Below are some of my reasons that I would like to put forward for consideration:

there is no local benefit from this development. It’s a private luxury retirement development offering no affordable housing or community benefit. The major benefactor to this entire project will be the company that is doing the development who are set to pocket hundreds of millions of dollars in profits when it’s done, and they will simply move on to the next project, leaving this monstrosity in our suburb.

It is clearly a significant overdevelopment 5 to 6 stories high and 149 apartments is completely out of scale with narrabeens coastal character

I believe there is visual intrusion and overshadowing issues. This will block ocean views and overshadowing of neighing homes.

There is significant concern for traffic and safety hazards with an estimate of 300+ vehicles entering daily from Lagoon Street and this will worsen congestion and reduce safety.

Flood and coastal risk more seriously, This is located in a flood and erosion zone, which is un suitable for dense development.

There appears to be removal of mature trees, destroying habitat for wildlife as well as coastal screening and local amenity.

There is environmental impact which threatens fragile dune systems and bird habitats, including sea eagles, and kookaburras.

most worrying, This sets a new precedent for other developers to enter the area and completely change the landscape and feel of the area. narrabeen has a particular look and culture which this development does not meet whatsoever and then begins to allow other developers to use this as a precedent to continue such major works along this area, completely changing the landscape. As a local resident here for over a decade, I am yet to speak to a single resident who thinks that this development is a good thing for the area.

There has been woefully insignificant consultation or consideration with local residents. As mentioned, I am confident if every single resident in this area was asked to simply vote whether they support or object to this development you would have a significantly high, probably 95% or greater, objecting to it. When the local community has such a significant pushback and objection surely this requires pause and consideration and often acceptance and a refusal to the developer.

Let’s call this for what it is. It’s a major developer looking for an opportunistic development to pocket hundreds of millions of dollars. None of the developers live locally or have any local interest to the area. This is purely financial gain for them and they will leave once the project is done leaving the residence to have to deal with this monstrosity and the precedent that they then give all other developers from here to completely change the landscape which the entire community here is currently in love with.

The residents of narrabeen plead you, please leave narrabeen as it is and keep all developments within reason!

i’m sure a “like for like” development would actually be welcomed by most residents. so we are not “anti-development at all”. it’s the fact of the significant overdevelopment and the roll on affect this creates.

I object to this project due to the impact it is going to have on the local community, due to the increased traffic, parking, no consideration of the local infrastructure which is currently struggling with the traffic along Ocean and Lagoon Streets.
No consideration for any affordable housing for the under privileged or disadvantaged persons.
I always thought it was going to be a four storey development and then suddenly a proposed six storey development, it will totally destroy our beautiful coastline.
Thank you for your time and consideration
Kind regards
Kath Miller

The proposed building is way too big - the roads already struggle with the existing Narrabeen population. The building is out of scale with Narrabeen’s low rise coastal character. The removal of established trees will destroy habitat and visual screening. The development will block long standing ocean views from many nearby homes. Also, the site is near where Narrabeen Man was discovered, hence excavation risks disturbing unrecorded aboriginal remains.
How such a huge, six story building can even be considered in this area is diabolical. It’s time people started to consider all things not money related.

No Local Benefit. Private luxury retirement development offering no affordable housing or community benefit
Overdevelopment: Six-storey, 149 apartment complex completely out of scale with Narrabeen's coastal character
Visual intrusion & Overshadowing: will block ocean views and overshadow neighbouring homes
Traffic & safety hazards: 300+ vehicles entering Lagoon Street will worsen congestion and reduce safety
Flood & Coastal risk: Located in a flood and erosion zone - unsuitable for dense development
Tree Removal: Removal of mature tres destroying coastal screening and local amenity
Environmental impact: Threatens fragile dune system and bird habitats including sea eagles and kookaburras
No local consultation or consideration by Developers.

I have lived in Narrabeen for 50 years - I walk past this site all the time as it is near my house - The size of this project just does not fit this area - it would be an eyesore - we watched Dee why being ruined 40 years ago - I would hate this to happen to Narrabeen - As for removing the Norfolk pines - how dare you even consider this - everything about this seems to be about how much money can be made instead of what is best for the area and the community- I totally oppose this development -

This proposal looks ridiculous to me. I can't imagine that anyone with any sense would support this proposal. A six storey humongous building on Narrabeen Beach is going to set a precedent. The impact on the neighbourhood is going to be inhumane. In addition to the visual impact and the noise, the blockage of sunlight will be catastrophic for a quiet and sunlit neighbourhood. Doesn't everybody have the right to sunlight? It is simply unbelievable that somebody could conceive the idea to build something like this in the Narrabeen Peninsula. We should save this beautiful environment, not destroy it.

Regards,
Extremely Concerned

I live on 179 Ocean street, just a block north of the proposed development. Street parking is already scarce in the area, Ocean street gets a lot of traffic during the day and I feel that this project is only going to make this worse. This development is too big for the area, too many units, the building is too high and it will impact the area in many levels. The whole community is against it, it will change Narrabeen’s character for the worse and I want to voice my opinion against it.