To: The Secretary, NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

Re: Objection to SSD-76220734 – Indigo by Moran, 156 Ocean Street Narrabeen
I am writing to formally object to the proposed State Significant Development (SSD-76220734) at 156 Ocean Street, Narrabeen – “Indigo by Moran.”
I reside in Emerald Street, Narrabeen, which is two streets north of the proposed development site. I have a direct and ongoing connection to the local area and use Ocean Street and Lagoon Street daily. The scale and nature of the proposed project will have significant and unacceptable impacts on the surrounding residential area, traffic network, and coastal environment.

My specific objections are outlined below under relevant planning considerations:
1. Incompatibility with Local Character and Planning Controls
The proposed six-storey (approximately 21m high) building is grossly inconsistent with the existing built form and low-scale coastal character of Narrabeen.
    •    The surrounding neighbourhood consists primarily of one- to three-storey residential buildings, small shops, and low-density dwellings that reflect the established coastal village setting.
    •    The proposal’s bulk, height and density are inconsistent with the Northern Beaches Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) objectives for this area, which seek to maintain a low-rise coastal environment.
    •    The design does not appropriately transition in scale to surrounding properties, causing visual dominance and an intrusive built form
    •    The development would fundamentally alter the character of the Narrabeen peninsula and set a precedent for future high-rise developments along the coastline, undermining long-term strategic planning objectives.
2. Unsuitability of Site and Environmental Impacts
The site is unsuitable for a development of this scale given its coastal location, flood risk, and proximity to both the lagoon and the beach.
    •    The proposed footprint and excavation are likely to impact natural drainage and groundwater conditions, increasing flood and erosion risks.
    •    The scale of the structure will lead to significant overshadowing of nearby properties and public spaces.
    •    Reflectivity and bulk of the façade may impact the visual amenity of the coastline and public domain, contrary to the objectives of the Coastal Management Act 2016.
3. Traffic, Parking and Accessibility Impacts
Traffic and parking impacts have been underestimated and will directly affect residents of Lagoon Street, Ocean Street, Octavia Street and Loftus Street.
    •    Only 178 on-site parking spaces are proposed for 149 units and staff, which is inadequate for residents, visitors, and service vehicles.
    •    Overflow parking will inevitably occur on surrounding streets, further congesting already limited residential parking in Lagoon Street and neighbouring areas.
    •    Additional vehicle movements generated by residents, deliveries, and support services will increase traffic volume and congestion on the narrow and constrained local road network.
    •    This will exacerbate existing pedestrian safety risks, particularly for children and beachgoers who frequently use Ocean and Lagoon Streets.
The proposal does not adequately address clause 101 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021, which requires developments to demonstrate acceptable traffic and transport impacts.
4. Failure to Meet Seniors Housing Planning Principles
While the proposal is lodged as “seniors housing,” it functions more as a high-end luxury apartment complex than a genuinely accessible or inclusive seniors living development.
    •    Only 10 assisted-living beds are provided, which fails to meet the intent of Clause 33(2)(b) of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing for Seniors or People with a Disability) 2004.
    •    The pricing and configuration of apartments are inconsistent with providing genuine housing diversity or affordability for older residents in the community.
This indicates the proposal does not align with the strategic intent of seniors housing policy and instead represents a commercial overdevelopment.
Conclusion
For the reasons outlined above, the proposed development is inappropriate in height, scale, and intensity for its location and fails to satisfy key planning objectives relating to character, environmental protection, traffic safety, and genuine seniors housing provision.

I respectfully request that the Department refuse SSD-76220734 – Indigo by Moran, 156 Ocean Street Narrabeen, or require significant reduction in height, density, and site coverage to ensure compatibility with the surrounding community and environment.

Narrabeen is not an area in which a six-story building should be put up.

The size of this project is outrageous. 5-6 stories high would totally ruin the area, the height would be taller than the Norfolk pines that line the streets and beaches and would tower over the existing surrounding buildings. The parking supplied by the development is inadequate for the 149 apartments plus the 10 residential care beds. Only 7 visitor parking spots for this large development is also inadequate. That would put a large number of people parking on the streets in an already very busy area with no parking available. Narrabeen has become a botleneck with Pittwater Rd at a stand still on weekends which forces cars along Ocean st, this development would add to that congestion. I understand progress and development but this needs more parking and height limit 3-4 stories.

I object as a 6 storey building in Narrabeen will destroy the suburb and make living in the area and on Lagoon street so much harder. The parking will become impossible and shoving that amount of people into residential area is incredibly unfair to the people that live there

We live on the corner of Ocean and Wellington Streets in a ground floor unit at the back of the complex away from the main roads. Furthermore we have lived on the Northern Beaches for over 15 years.
The traffic on Ocean Street has never been so dangerous or noisy. On many occasions we have nearly been run down by the sheer speed and volume of traffic from early morning until later in the evening, even after 10pm and every day of the week.
At the Woolworths, there is barely any parking and again we have to be very careful crossing the road and avoiding numerous cars.
The walk around the lagoon is really disturbing with cars travelling fast and making a terrible noise.
The dentists and doctors are overflowing… the new hospital is not functioning well… and the connecting roads to Warriewood also very dangerous… the air and noise pollution are getting beyond reasonable levels.
The busses don’t function well and the recent work at the lagoon to redistribute the sand has held the traffic up and caused backlogs for parents, commuters and school children… I am very concerned that someone (a school child) will be knocked down or killed one of these days.
We are vehemently opposed to even more residents and cars and building works along this busy road as the arterial roads heading along the beaches and out towards the Wakehurst Parkway are at breaking point.
We also are very concerned that there is not enough social housing, we volunteer at The Link Collective on Pittwater Road and help local residents on Centre Link get food donated by the supermarkets at Warriewood, there are so many people struggling with the cost of living that we are concerned that the high rise luxury development that has been proposed will exclude residents that have lived here and been a part of the community all their lives.
Please reject this proposal as it is not good for our community. Thank you

My family and I are local residents who frequent Narrabeen beach. The parking at Narrabeen beach, along Ocean st and on all surrounding streets is already completely inadequate and in Summer it’s near impossible to get parking anywhere in the area.
The streets around the proposed development sight are popular for kids riding bikes, school kids walking, and people crossing back and forth to the beach, so we’re very concerned about the dangers of adding all these extra cars and increased traffic.
The current building height limit in the area is 9m and the proposed 25m is almost 3 times higher than this. This is completely out of character of the neighbourhood and will be an eye sore.

To whom it may concern,
I write to express my objection to proposed project SSD- 76220734- 156 Ocean street. I have lived in Narrabeen my whole life and am concerned about the negative impact that this development will have on the area. Personally we live within a block of the proposal with young children who ride their bikes and scooters along these streets. We are extremely worried about the negative impact this will have with increased traffic and large driveways creating unsafe conditions within the area for our children. This area does not have the infrastructure to support such a large development with already very limited parking and crowded narrow streets which are already at capacity with blind spots around driveways. If this proposal goes through as planned it will set a precedent for other large projects which will further destroy the area. This proposal is at least double the height of any of the surrounding buildings which is going to impact privacy, create significant shadowing across the surrounding area and standout like a massive eye sore.

To Whom It May Concern,
I strongly oppose the proposed Indigo by Moran seniors’ housing development at 156 Ocean Street, Narrabeen.
I am a local firefighter stationed at Narrabeen Fire Station, and I am deeply concerned about the implications this development will have for local residents, emergency services, and community safety.
1. Flooding and Coastal Hazard Risks
The proposed site lies within a known flood-prone and coastal erosion hazard area, as outlined in the EIS Appendices E & F (Flood and Coastal Hazard Reports). The development footprint extends into zones identified as high hazard under the Northern Beaches Council Flood Study and Coastal Zone Management Plan.
Given this, the proposal presents an unacceptable risk to both emergency service personnel and future residents, particularly as it is intended for an elderly demographic.
During even moderate rainfall, both Pittwater Road and Wakehurst Parkway are known to flood and close, isolating Narrabeen and cutting off access to Northern Beaches and Royal North Shore Hospitals.
This area is regularly subject to evacuation orders under State Emergency Service (SES) flood rescue protocols, with particular focus on the evacuation of high-care and vulnerable populations—precisely the demographic targeted by this proposal.
While the EIS acknowledges these risks, it fails to propose adequate mitigation strategies beyond basic floor height adjustments. Such limited measures do not address Narrabeen’s growing exposure to coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and storm surge events, and the proposal is therefore inconsistent with sustainable coastal planning principles.
2. Traffic, Parking, and Access Concerns
The Traffic and Parking Assessment (EIS Appendix J) substantially underestimates the likely volume of vehicle movements and parking demand generated by residents, staff, service vehicles, and visitors.
Ocean Street and Lagoon Street are already heavily congested, especially during weekends and local events. Adding a large seniors’ living complex will further:
Exacerbate traffic congestion
Reduce pedestrian and cyclist safety
Impede emergency vehicle access
These surrounding streets are narrow and not designed to handle the anticipated increase in traffic or parking demand associated with such a large-scale development.
3. Lack of Community Benefit and Character Impact
This proposal primarily serves a single demographic—wealthy retirees—and offers no benefit to the broader community struggling with housing affordability. It fails to address the pressing need for affordable housing for nurses, teachers, police officers, skilled tradespeople, and low-income workers.
From a personal and community perspective, the proposed development is out of character with the local area, inconsistent with its coastal village identity, and appears to be driven by commercial profit rather than community need.
In summary, I strongly urge Council to reject this proposal on the grounds of:
Severe and unmitigated flood and coastal hazard risks
Inadequate traffic and access planning
Lack of community benefit or social diversity
Inconsistency with local character and sustainable development objectives
Thank you for considering my submission.
Kind regards,

I feel developments like this are beneficial to the community as they free up housing that families can then purchase. They encourage the over 60's to be involved with like minded people which keeps them active and feeling valued. They provide a secure home which in turn gives families peace of mind.

I object to the proposal on the following grounds:
1. The location is unsuitable for large scale development being in a coastal erosion zone on a narrow peninsula. It will threaten the fragile dune system.
2. The proposed three story car park will be below the water table risking not only this development but surrounding homes.
3. The traffic impact will be disastrous for the local community as there is only one narrow road in and out of the location to exit the peninsula.
4 Narrabeen is not a city centre and has limited amenities, not even a local doctor, so residents would be forced to use their cars or other transport for basic amenities.
5.The development is overwhelming for a narrow peninsula.
6. The development is unaffordable to most and is simply a luxurious high end development for the benefit of a privileged few to the detriment of the locals and essential workers.