Submission in Support of Proposed Seniors Housing Development

This proposal addresses a critical and growing need within our community: the shortage of appropriate, accessible housing for older residents. Many seniors remain in long-term family homes that no longer meet their physical, social, or lifestyle needs. As these homes become increasingly difficult to maintain, residents may experience reduced quality of life, isolation, and barriers to independence. At the same time, the lack of suitable downsizing options limits housing availability for younger families seeking to establish themselves locally.

The proposed development enables older residents to “right-size” within their own community—remaining close to familiar services, friends, and support networks. By providing thoughtfully designed, age-friendly dwellings that incorporate accessibility, safety, and comfort, this project supports ageing in place and enhances long-term wellbeing.
Importantly, facilitating local downsizing has wider community benefits. Each senior household that transitions into appropriate accommodation typically releases a family-sized home back into the market, helping to ease housing pressures and promote generational renewal. This contributes to a more balanced, sustainable housing mix that reflects the needs of residents at all life stages.

Beyond its housing outcomes, the project is designed to foster social connection and inclusion. Communal spaces, landscaped areas, and proximity to local amenities encourage active participation in community life, reducing loneliness and supporting mental and physical health.

In summary, this proposal delivers a well-considered, socially responsible response to demographic change. It supports older residents to live independently and comfortably, strengthens neighbourhood cohesion, and contributes positively to housing supply and diversity across the area.

To the Secretary, DPHI,
Objection to SSD-76220734 – 156 Ocean Street Narrabeen INDIGO

I live at 1 Albemarle St Narrabeen, a block from the proposed development. I am a lifelong resident of Narrabeen and believe a 6 storey building is not in keeping with the look and feel of our beloved beachside suburb. A multi-storey quadrangle apartment building is incompatible with the planning design of the area. It is a dangerous precedent to set, which I strongly object to.
I have a young family and believe the traffic along Ocean St will become more dangerous - not only due to the construction and service vehicles but ongoing with the hundreds of new residents and their visitors.
There will also be insufficient parking, especially as the proposal does not include enough car spaces for the intended apartments. Albemarle St, Ocean St and the neighbouring cross streets are already full to the brim with beach-goers parking their cars all day in our residential streets, it will impossible to accommodate another 120+ residents and their cars and visitors.
I want to protect Narrabeen's community, residents and character and I believe this proposed development is unsafe, unsuitable, and incompatible.
Thank you

We strongly object to high density living in Narrabeen. If this proposal goes through, that could become the new standard for this suburb and we don’t want more high rise buildings in our peaceful coastal town (which is already full of apartments as it is!). Please say no to this.
Kind regards,
Jazmin

As a resident of Narrabeen for 50 years and with many generations and family members calling Narrabeen home, I strongly oppose this development as a threat to the safety, infrastructure and character of this suburb, and particularly the Peninsular which has very unique and delicate environmental concerns. Adding to this 100s of residents in an over 60s development, thinly disguised as supporting aged care, 6 storeys high is morally wrong and goes against the Planning and Development Act.
Key Issues
1. Non-Compliance – The proposal is way above the R2 Low Density Residential Zone under the Northern Beaches LEP 2011. It goes against Clause 4.3 Height of Buildings and the Housing SEPP 2021 design principles.

2. Environmental Risk – How can it be supported to excavate over 11m deep when the site sits within mapped Coastal Environment and Coastal Vulnerability Areas under the Coastal SEPP 2018.

3. Sustainability – minimum standards of the BASIX assessment have not beet met, contrary to Clause 3.6 of the Housing SEPP and Section B5 of the DCP.

Any consultation was severely lacking before lodgement, with only 2 weeks of exhibition!? This is grossly negligent given the significant impact on the area, residents, community, transport and infrastructure.

5. Governance – Has any Independent Design Review Panel been undertaken?

Public Interest
Under section 4.15 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, I don't see any PUBLIC interest in this development proposal. There are no benefits to the environment, community or future of the area.

Request
I request that the Department refuse SSD-76220734, or that there is a full change in scope, scale and design to meet all of the following:
• height, bulk, and excavation depth;
• sustainability,
• Does not destroy mature trees;
• is subject to an independent design review;
• Appropriate time, review and consultation is granted to the community for any future development.

Signed,
Kristen Edwards
9/3-5 Wetherill Street
Narrabeen NSW 2101

I am a resident of Narrabeen and wish to formally object to the proposed Indigo by Moran seniors housing development at 156–164 Ocean Street, Narrabeen. The scale and intensity of this proposal are entirely inappropriate for this sensitive coastal site and inconsistent with local planning controls.

Key Concerns
1. Overdevelopment and Non-Compliance – The proposal exceeds the intended scale of the R2 Low Density Residential Zone under the Northern Beaches LEP 2011. Its 21.5m height and bulk disregard Clause 4.3 Height of Buildings and the Housing SEPP 2021 design principles.

2. Environmental and Coastal Risk – The site sits within mapped Coastal Environment and Coastal Vulnerability Areas under the Coastal SEPP 2018. Excavation over 11m deep poses flooding, groundwater, and structural risks.

3. Poor Design and Minimal Sustainability – The BASIX assessment barely meets minimum standards with little passive design or energy efficiency, contrary to Clause 3.6 of the Housing SEPP and Section B5 of the DCP.

4. Lack of Transparency and Consultation – No meaningful consultation was undertaken before lodgement, and the public exhibition period of only two weeks was unreasonably short.

5. Governance and Precedent – The absence of an Independent Design Review Panel undermines confidence in the process. Approving this would set a dangerous precedent for large-scale overdevelopment along Narrabeen’s coastline.

Public Interest
Under section 4.15 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, developments must demonstrate consistency with planning instruments and serve the public interest. This proposal offers no genuine community or environmental benefit and undermines the principles of sustainable coastal planning.

Request
I respectfully request that the Department refuse SSD-76220734, or alternatively require a full redesign that:
• Reduces height, bulk, and excavation depth;
• Improves sustainability and BASIX performance;
• Retains mature trees and expands deep-soil areas;
• Undergoes independent design review; and
• Is re-exhibited with proper community consultation and an extended timeframe.

Signature
Signed,
India Edwards
3-5 Wetherill Street
Narrabeen NSW 2101

Refer to Submission representing Neighbours at 150 - 152 Ocean Street NARRABEEN

I am a resident of Narrabeen and wish to formally object to the proposed Indigo by Moran seniors housing development at 156–164 Ocean Street, Narrabeen. The scale and intensity of this proposal are entirely inappropriate for this sensitive coastal site and inconsistent with local planning controls.

This goes above the height restrictions for Multi-dwelling housing in the area. It will change the nature of the area and devalues the suburb. You only need to look at the disaster that is Dee Why with all its multiple high rise apartments and the impact it has on living in the area. We don't want high rises above the 3 storey limit in Narrabeen

Does it really make sense to be approving major developments on low lying sand spits between the ocean and a major lake when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the USA states that under current government policies internationally we are on track double the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere by 2100 resulting in 2.7 degrees of warming and sea level rise of between 2 and 3 metres.
This means that by the turn if the century (in just 75 years), this development will be under water and owners will be suing the state government for negligence.
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide#:~:text=If%20global%20energy%20demand%20continues%20to%20grow,Earth%20for%20close%20to%2050%20million%20years.
Rather than approving new developments in these areas we should be planning how we will retreat from them.
I look forward to hearing how you anyone can justify this type of development and how they will mitigate rising levels.

The entire development is out of character for the area and completely unnecessary. We have enough housing for our community. It’s too big and ugly. And most of all too expensive. Who has 3M in their back pocket ?????