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.

The development represents a significant over development of the site. It will have an adverse effect on the residential amenity of the area, cause significant overshadowing and loss of privacy for adjoining residences and have a detrimental impact on the local traffic situation. The development is not close to any major public transport hub. The proposed six storey development is significantly higher than any adjoining residential developments and the bulk and scale will be completely incompatible with the existing residential character of the Narrabeen Peninsula.

This area does not have the infrastructure necessary to support it. A six storey building is not in keeping with the area, and the increase in traffic will have an knock on effect at the Waterloo st lights, traffic travelling along Ocean St and Lagoon St.

My best friends aunt in Collaroy has been looking for a place to move to for more than 2 years and there is nowhere for her to move. She recently broke her hip falling down the garden step and now has a lot of pain. We need more retirement villages to be built so that our older citizens like Claire have options and are not trapped in their big house by themselves.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

Subject: Objection to State Significant Development Application SSD-76220734 – Indigo By Moran, 156 Ocean Street, Narrabeen

Dear Minister/Secretary,

I write as a concerned resident of a nearby street in Narrabeen to formally object to the State Significant Development Application (SSD-76220734) for Seniors Housing at 156 Ocean Street, Narrabeen. I urge the Department to reject the proposal or require significant amendments, as the development fails to satisfy key merit considerations under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EPA Act) and poses detrimental local impacts.

My primary objections are detailed below, framed against the assessment criteria set out in Section 4.15 of the EPA Act, which requires the consent authority to consider the likely impacts of the development and the suitability of the site.

1. Inconsistency with Local Character and Amenity (EPA Act Objects & Section 4.15(1)(b))

The development, in its current form, is not aligned with the established built form and desired future character of the Narrabeen suburb and surrounding local streets.

The Objects of the EPA Act (specifically Section 1.3) include promoting the good design and amenity of the built environment. As a neighbour, I believe the scale, bulk, and potential design of this proposal is excessive and inconsistent with the prevailing residential density and building typology in the area. Such a significant non-alignment represents a failure to uphold the requirement to consider the "likely impacts... including environmental impacts on... the built environments" under Section 4.15(1)(b). Approving a development that dramatically contrasts with the neighbourhood risks setting a negative planning precedent that diminishes the established local character and amenity.

2. Detrimental Impact on Local Parking and Traffic Congestion (Section 4.15(1)(b))

I am deeply concerned about the negative impacts the finished development will have on local parking and traffic flow, which must be assessed as "social and economic impacts in the locality" under Section 4.15(1)(b).

While the proposed seniors housing may meet minimum parking standards, the intense use proposed for the site will inevitably displace the limited current on-street parking relied upon by existing residents and visitors. Narrabeen already experiences significant parking pressures due to its proximity to the beach and local services. The addition of substantial new residential units, even for seniors, will generate visitor, staff, and service vehicle traffic that will directly compete for scarce street parking, resulting in widespread negative amenity impacts for the existing community. The proposed 7 visitor and 3 staff spaces for a development of this scale are unacceptable. 

Furthermore, the increased traffic movements associated with staff changes, deliveries, and visitors must be thoroughly reviewed for its cumulative impact on congestion in the surrounding area.

From the Traffic Impact Assessment, it is proposed that there will be some mitigation of traffic by residents cycling. This is an over-60’s development. A 2019 Australian Cycling Participation survey from 2019 showed 9% of men over 50 and 3.6% of women over 50 road once per week (https://austroads.gov.au/latest-news/3.43-million-australians-ride-bikes-for-transport-or-recreation-each-week#:~:text=Cycling%20rates%20for%20both%20men%20and%20women,2.6%25%20in%202017%20to%203.6%25%20in%202019.) Based on this data and taking account of the development being for over-60’s, it seems not genuine to suggest cycling would have any meaningful impact on local parking and traffic congestion. 

3. Public Safety Risks for Pedestrians and Cyclists (Section 4.15(1)(b) and (e))

My most serious concern relates to the safety of local children, particularly those who use bicycles to navigate local streets. Increased vehicle movements on local feeder streets, caused by the concentration of traffic from this development, will significantly elevate the risk of accidents.

The consideration of the "likely impacts" under Section 4.15(1)(b) and the public interest (Section 4.15(1)(e)) must take into account the safety of vulnerable road users. The Traffic Impact Assessment fails to adequately demonstrate that the surrounding streets can safely accommodate this significant increase in daily vehicle trips without compromising community safety, the proposal should be deemed contrary to the public interest. Pushing both construction and resident traffic onto Lagoon Street is irresponsible. With morning and afternoon school traffic (car, pedestrian, children cycling) from St Joseph’s public school on Lagoon street and with the only access to Woolworths being via Wellington street, this risks dangerous traffic conditions, without any meaningul mitigation safety strategies in place.

Conclusion

I respectfully request that the Department carefully consider these substantial grounds for objection against the statutory requirements of the EPA Act. The proposed development compromises local character, exacerbates existing infrastructure pressures regarding parking and traffic, and introduces unacceptable safety risks to the community.

I look forward to the Department’s acknowledgment of these concerns and confirmation that they will be fully considered during the determination process.

Sincerely,
Local Resident

SSD Application Number: SSD-76220734
Development Name: Indigo By Moran - 156 Ocean Street Narrabeen

Objection to Building Application by Indigo by Moran – 5-Storey Seniors Housing Development, Ocean Street, North Narrabeen
I am writing to strongly object to the proposed development application by Indigo by Moran to construct a five-storey seniors housing complex comprising 149 Independent Living Units in Ocean Street, North Narrabeen.

This proposal is wholly inappropriate for the location and raises several serious concerns:
1. Excessive Building Height:
The proposed five-storey structure significantly exceeds the current building height limits for the area. Allowing a development of this scale would fundamentally alter the character and visual amenity of North Narrabeen, which is defined by its low-rise, coastal village feel.
2. Traffic and Parking Impacts:
The increase in residents and visitors associated with 149 units will inevitably exacerbate existing parking and traffic issues. The surrounding streets are already under strain, and the additional demand for car spaces will place unsustainable pressure on local infrastructure.
3. Overdevelopment and Precedent:
North Narrabeen is a unique and much-loved community with a distinct coastal character. Approving this over-scaled development would set a dangerous precedent for future overdevelopment, further eroding the area’s identity and livability.

In summary, this proposal is not in keeping with the scale, character, or infrastructure capacity of the local area. North Narrabeen does not need — nor can it support — developments of this magnitude.

I therefore urge the Council to reject this application in its current form.

Yours sincerely,
James Ocean St resident

The projects js much higher density than the surrounding buildings and much taller. The site is on a narrow strip between the lagoon and the lake which is very suburban and will tower above everything else. Such a huge project will radically change the environment and community in this part of narrabeen

I am objecting to this proposal on the grounds that it is not in character with the surrounding area. The proposed height is far above any nearby buildings. It will considerably change the character of Ocean Street and will have serious impacts upon light and traffic. There is considerably community opposition to this project.

I purchased my property in 2023 on Narrabeen Peninsula because it was low rise development. The new development is out of scale with the Narrabeen low rise coastal character.

Increased traffic along Lagoon, Ocean and surrounding streets will be a major concern if this high rise development is given the go ahead. Street parking is currently hard to find 7 days a week, with weekends and school holidays, (especially summer), making it extremely difficult.

The safety of the many senior citizens who live in the area will be a risk due to the increased traffic.

The removal of mature pine and gums trees along Lagoon Street is not acceptable. There is large bird life in the area and the removal of trees will put them at risk.

I love where I live and believe the proposed development will compromise the beauty of Narrabeen Peninsula’s low rise coastal character.

Caroline Nicholls

The project will affect traffic flow as streets are narrow and busy now. Also the removal of pine trees native to area is wrong and will impact local landscape - these trees are historic. This is a community made up of 2 & 3 storey buildings & will stand out.