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$40-Million Belrose Development Approved After Long-standing Legal Battle

After an extensive legal battle, the developers of a $40-million residential project in Belrose have received approval, following substantial amendments to the initial proposal.

The Land and Environment Court has finalised a lengthy dispute by sanctioning a scaled-back version of the initially ambitious mixed-use development planned for 28 Lockwood Ave.

The new plan discards elements like the gymnasium and commercial car wash, instead focusing on 49 dwellings and increasing the parking availability to 238 spaces, compared to the previously planned 190.

These changes were instrumental in addressing the council’s concerns over height, bulk, and traffic impact, which initially led to the project’s rejection (DA 2019/1427).

Northern Beaches Council initially refused the development application citing 18 different grounds, predominantly related to the proposed building’s scale and potential impacts on local amenities and public opinion. Significant alterations to the design during the court appeal satisfied the council’s appointed experts, leading to a reassessment and eventual approval by the commissioner.

Despite the legal approval, the development continues to face opposition from the Belrose community. Residents express concerns that the increased dwellings will strain local resources and significantly alter the area’s character.

Here’s a timeline of key events related to the Belrose development saga:

2017

Northern Beaches Council sells the 5,332 sqm block at 28 Lockwood Ave, formerly home to the Belrose Library, to fund a modern library nearby. The site had become an eyesore and was attracting vandalism.

January 2020

The Northern Beaches Council rejected plans for a $44 million redevelopment of the old library site. Platinum Property Advisers’ proposal included a five-storey shop-top project with 51 apartments and a gym. The rejection was due to incomplete proposals and requests to exceed the maximum permitted building height.

April 2020

The initial proposal for the $40 million mixed-use development at 28 Lockwood Ave is submitted, featuring retail space, a gymnasium, a commercial car wash, 51 apartments, and 190 parking spaces.

2020-2023

Prolonged legal and planning disputes, involving multiple amendments and community consultations. The project faced strong opposition from local residents and was subject to rigorous scrutiny by the council.

April 2024

After substantial amendments, the Land and Environment Court approves a modified version of the development plan. The approved plan now includes 49 dwellings and 238 parking spaces, but omits the gymnasium and commercial car wash.
Northern Beaches Council and the Sydney North Planning Panel endorse the amended proposal, after initial refusal based on 18 different grounds concerning the project’s scale and impact on the local community.

The development’s approval marks a contentious but decisive step forward in utilising the 28 Lockwood Ave site.

Published 23-April-2024

Preserving Patyegarang: Opposition Mounts to Belrose Housing Plan

A proposal to build 450 homes on Patyegarang, an Aboriginal-owned land in Belrose, is facing opposition from local leaders who argue the area should be preserved as bushland.

Read: Upgrades at County Road Reserve Left in Limbo

The 71-hectare property, formerly known as Lizard Rock, is owned by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. The council aims to redevelop the land to generate funds to support programs for Aboriginal people across Sydney, including social and affordable housing projects.

However, independent MP Sophie Scamps has urged the NSW government to instead designate Patyegarang as an Indigenous national park. In a submission to NSW Planning, Dr Scamps said the state should either buy the land or agree to a long-term lease so it can become a preservation area that still generates income for Aboriginal people.

The Northern Beaches Council has also voiced strong opposition to the 450-home proposal, citing destruction of bushland and other concerns. The council said the natural area should not be rezoned to make way for a large residential development.

Aerial view of site (Photo credit: Cox Architecture)

Planners defend the housing proposal as an opportunity to significantly contribute to Sydney’s urgent housing supply shortfall.

They said the plans, designed by Cox Architecture call for protecting ancient Aboriginal sites whilst delivering new homes, open spaces and a cultural centre. They said the additional housing units would have a positive impact on housing targets at both the local government area level and broader district level.

Read: Belrose Residents Fight Proposed Boarding House Modifications Anew

As Sydney grapples with a housing affordability crisis, the opposing visions for the Lizard Rock land have set up a debate over conservation versus development. Aboriginal leaders aim to lift their communities through land ownership, but some local representatives argue this natural area warrants preservation over profiteering. The dispute may ultimately fall to the state government to resolve.

Published 28-November-2023

Upgrades at County Road Reserve Left in Limbo

Plans to upgrade the sporting facilities at the County Road Reserve in Belrose have been indefinitely postponed, leaving local clubs and residents disappointed.

Read: New Wyatt Avenue Bike Park Opens in Belrose

The $6 million project, announced in September 2021, was set to deliver improved amenities to the site, including new changerooms, parking, playground equipment and walking trails.

However, a spokesperson for the Department of Planning and Environment has confirmed the project is now on hold due to “cost escalations from the pandemic.”

Artist’s impression of now halted plans for County Road Reserve (Photo credit: Arcadia Landscape Architecture)

According to Wakehurst Football Club president Greg Dick, the club uses County Road Reserve as its home ground but has no proper facilities. Without change rooms or toilets, players are forced to change outside and relieve themselves in nearby bushes. This prevents the club from hosting women’s matches at the site.

Mr Dick said the club was hoping to have additional facilities and pitches at the reserve for their growing women’s team and in preparation for the Women’s World Cup. But it appears they will have to continue making do with the current lack of amenities for now.

The project was set to be funded under the NSW Government’s Parks for People program for park upgrades across Sydney. The Belrose reserve was announced as one of eight initial sites for investment, with draft plans even developed and put on public display.

These plans, prepared by Arcadia Landscape Architecture, included new unisex changerooms, upgraded playing surface, playground, walking trail, barbecue area and 40-bay carpark.

Photo credit: Arcadia Landscape Architecture

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said the council would continue advocating for the State Government to fully fund the project, calling the reserve a vital community facility that lacks even basic amenities for clubs and families.

Read: Hikers are Raving About this Hidden Gem in Belrose

Published 22-November-2023

New Wyatt Avenue Bike Park Opens in Belrose

The gates have opened to the long-awaited Wyatt Avenue bike park in Belrose, which is aimed at bikers of all ages, especially young kids who are looking at improving their biking skills.

The new bike park has different ranges for beginners who will need to train before they can try biking at the more complicated Bare Creek bike park or the rough ride at the Manly Dam.

The Wyatt Avenue bike park was designed with the guidance of parents, coaches and the biking advocacy group Trail Care. Thus, this facility is top-notch even for beginners with its trail loop, climb and decent section, technical features, and the bike launching area.

Visitors and companions may also enjoy the bike park because there is a view platform and picnic area with plenty of seating.

Published 22 February 2023

Concerns Raised Over Another Liquor Store At Popular Shopping Centre In Belrose

Some residents in Belrose are worried about opening another liquor store at Glenrose Shopping Village, citing the effects of increased alcohol use in the area, such as anti-social behaviour especially among the youth.

Read: Hikers are Raving About this Hidden Gem in Belrose

This comes after Vintage Cellars, which is owned by Coles group received an approval from NSW Liquor and Gaming to open an outlet at the mall, which would already be the third for Glenrose Shopping Village.

Photo credit: Adrian Compton/Google Maps

At present, there are already two bottle shops operating at the mall–Woolworths’ BWS and a separate alcohol section at Aldi supermarket. Vintage Cellars will take over the space once occupied by a seafood restaurant and a shop used to advertise a retirement village nearby.

Back in June 2021, young people were being targeted by Northern Beaches Police following a case of vandalism at Glenrose Shopping Village, which resulted in damaged fence panels at the mall.

Investigations revealed that young people were congregating in the area, consuming alcohol, illicit drugs, which resulted in offensive behaviour, damage to property and leaving dangerous or harmful litter in the area.

Because of the incident, the Northern Beaches Council proposed the re-establishment of alcohol-free zones.

Council consulted the residents and based on feedback received, around 79 percent of respondents support the re-establishment of the Belrose Alcohol Free Zone, and round 20 submissions identified continuing issues of alcohol related anti-social behaviour.

Residents asked to include the reserve behind Glenrose shops and bounded by the aforementioned avenues as it has been the scene of some anti-social behaviour in the past.

“It is disappointing that the reserve behind Glenrose Shopping Centre is not included inthis action. This is the major area of concern for the surrounding neighbourhood where drug and alcohol abuse and subsequent damage to public and private property takes place and where Neighbour Watch has recently started,” one neighbour wrote in the submission.

Read: Belrose Children’s Centre Nurturing the Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers

At present, the existing alcohol free zone in the area is bounded by Haigh, Wingara, Lowanna and Coora Avenues.

Meanwhile, some members at the Belrose, Davidson, French’s Forest & Forestville Community Page shared they would love to see a food outlet in the space, like another fish ‘n chips rather than a bottleshop.

Hikers are Raving About this Hidden Gem in Belrose

Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts are rediscovering and raving about this hidden gem in Belrose, comprising a 4.5km scenic trail alongside the picturesque Frenchs Creek Track.

Located inside the Garigal National Park, the exciting trail is situated some 30 minutes away from Sydney CBD by car or 10 minutes from Frenchs Forest. It ends in a beautiful cascading waterfall, also found within the massive park.

First-time visitors to the site will find the beginning of their track along a sealed area after a private residence on Wanniti Rd in Belrose by following the red ribbon marks. There is no car park in the area but there is a sign leading to a downhill walk.

After a few minutes, hikers will see the top area of the Cascades waterfalls. Pushing ahead of this hidden gem for 15 minutes or so, then hikers will hear the next body of water’s section.

The centre of the Cascades is located on a large rock platform on the creek. It makes for a great spot when resting for the hike.

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A post shared by Eddy Agcaoili (@captchathemoment)

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Not everyone, however, will see the full beauty of the multi-tiered falls, per the Australian Waterfalls. Runners and hikers who frequent the site said the view around the walking track is a lot better during the winter months, especially after rain than during the dry summer months because the falls will not be flowing with water.

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A post shared by Eddy Agcaoili (@captchathemoment)

The track is pretty narrow, rocky, and steep so hikers are advised to take extra caution and wear the most appropriate walking shoes. There are also no toilets in the area so plan your walk accordingly.

Belrose Residents Fight Proposed Boarding House Modifications Anew

A group of Belrose residents has found themselves fighting a development application anew, over two vacant properties on Wyatt St, next to John Colet School.

In 2019, residents heavily opposed the development proposal for a 27-room boarding house along 14 Wyatt St (DA2018/0401), They cited that the plan was an overdevelopment and was not in keeping with the “quiet family character” of the community. Belrose is a low-density residential site with a 12-room maximum for such an establishment.

The locals also opposed the project due to its potential impact on the biodiversity of its surrounding bushlands. In its submission to oppose the DA, Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment stated that these native bushlands have “complex ecosystems and wildlife corridors” that could be ruined by excessive development.

In April 2019, Northern Beaches Council rejected the DA for 14 Wyatt Ave citing that the proposal failed to comply with the requisite housing density standard despite a series of pre-lodgement meetings conducted since 2017.

In January 2021, the Land and Environment Court upheld the rejection of DA2018/0401 to construct the boarding house.

However, in October 2020, the developers appealed and submitted amended plans under DA202/0996 for 14 Wyatt Ave as well as DA2021/1039 for 16 Wyatt Ave. The house along 16 Wyatt Ave will also be knocked down to accommodate two large buildings at least three to four stories high. The proposal estimates that the boarding house will be able to accommodate 160 people.

Residents, once again, took exceptions to the plans that will include “changes in the landscaping of a non-urban property.”

The developer, however, said that the amendments “do not change the number, size, design or location of the boarding rooms, or the range, number, location and nature of the communal facilities.” The proposed amendments also do not make changes to the intensity or impacts of the development.

Northern Beaches Council opened the notification period for these amendments on 13 July 2022. Residents have until Wednesday, 27 July 2022, to file their submission.

John Colet School in Belrose Consistently Tops NAPLAN Results

John Colet School, an independent primary educational institution in Belrose, has consistently achieved excellent NAPLAN scores not only among all the schools in the Northern Beaches but also across the rest of New South Wales.

For 2021, John Colet School landed fourth in the ranking across NSW with a primary average of 553.8. The school’s excellent overall performance follows St Aloysius College in Kirribilli (562.2), Abbotsleigh in Wahroonga (562.4), and the Sydney Grammar School in Darlinghurst (586.9).

John Colet School’s Year 3 students earned good results for reading (526) and Grammar (564), whilst its Year 5 students scored some of the highest achieving scores for the 2022 NAPLAN with 599 in reading, 564 in writing, 584 in spelling, 604 in grammar and 590 in numeracy, per data from the National Assessment Program.

The school was fifth in the ranking in the previous year. For 2021, it is the only primary school in the Northern Beaches to rank in the Top 100 in a school year impacted by the COVID-19 lockdowns, when students were mostly learning remotely. Surveys have revealed that many of the children’s parents were committed and comfortable in assisting their kids to study and prepare for the annual assessment.

Photo Credit: John Colet School/Facebook

However, other primary and secondary schools in the Northern Beaches were cited as “high progress” schools as the students also exhibited improved performances across various subjects compared to the last test.

Meanwhile, NAPLAN 2022 testing has recently concluded online with more than 1.2 million students and 9,315 schools across Australia.

“This year was uniquely challenging with the full transition to online testing as well as staffing and attendance challenges due to COVID-19. It is a testament to the hard work of education authorities in each state who worked collaboratively with their schools to support students and manage any issues that arose that it went so well,” ACARA CEO David de Carvalho said.

From 2023, NAPLAN will move from May to March so results will be available to education authorities earlier in the year to inform school and system teaching and learning programs.

‘Feathers & Dreams’: 50 Artworks Up for Online Bid to Benefit Belrose Charity

A remarkable selection of 50 artworks is up for bidding online to raise funds for a Belrose charity for metastatic cancer patients. The “Feathers & Dreams” exhibition features original artworks that depict feathers to symbolise “trust, honour, strength, wisdom, power and freedom.”

Each artist involved in “Feathers & Dreams” has agreed to donate 50 percent of the sale price of their artworks during the exhibition at the gallery, diversARTy, in Cromer. Two of these artists are Clare and John, who are also metastatic cancer patients.

“I remembered the cutest photo that my daughter had taken on the farm of this little duck. Everything just connected – a dream weekend away, and the picture of the duck, that I have painted as part of the exhibition,” Clare said.

*Photo Credit: Clare Ward – Where Dreams Are Made (Bonnie)/Supplied*

“Having a dream was almost like being able to start again – chemo done and new beginnings. My dream has given me awesome memories of how precious family is and how grateful I am to still be alive.”

Gallery Director Wayne Devenny offered his full support to host this event, following his own brush with a serious illness.

“After learning about Dreams2Live4, my wife and I thought it would be a great idea to hold an exhibition to raise awareness and funds for this amazing charity,” Devenny said, “Dreams2Live4 provides much needed respite for patients with metastatic cancer, and their families and carers. Being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019, I know firsthand what providing these ‘dreams’ truly means,” he revealed.

Terri Cracknell – Doorway to Dreams
Jake Graham – Mystik Oddyssey (Dreamers’ Dream Catcher)
Camille Fox – Well Heeled
Amy Raymond – Pretty As A Peacock

Dreams2Live4 was founded in 2008 by Annie Robinson, who passed away from metastatic cancer in 2009. Annie’s experience with the disease gave her the drive to “treat the soul as well as the disease” and her legacy lives on with the Belrose charity.

To support the artists and the charity, bid on the “Feathers & Dreams” artworks online. The exhibition will run until 30 September 2021. You may also follow Dreams2Live4 on Facebook for updates.

New Japara Aged Care Home in Belrose Nears Completion

The flagship aged care home commissioned by Japara Healthcare in Belrose is nearing completion, with an expected opening date scheduled for June 2021.

The upcoming Belrose aged care building, which started construction in November 2019 and is currently worth $31 million, was built by Richard Crookes Constructions. It was designed by Thomson Adsett Architects, with rooftop plant and hard and soft landscaping and an aesthetic inspired and influenced by the surrounding area’s native flora.

The three-storey aged care home contains a grand total of 102 beds. Basement car parking will be provided for staff, tenants, and visitors.

Photo credit: Richard Crookes Constructions

Only 3.7 kilometres away from the Northern Beaches Hospital, the upcoming Japara Healthcare site takes up an area of 1.03 hectares and provides tenants with views of the coast and nearby national parks. A range of amenities will also be available at the aged care home such as an in-house café and bar, as well as a cinema.

Beauty, hair and nail salons will also be available for tenants looking for a makeover, and those interested in staying in shape can make full use of the on-site gymnasium. 24 hour care will be available for tenants seven days a week with qualified nursing staff who have been trained to provide personalised care tailored specifically for each resident.
For more information on Japara Healthcare, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook for the latest updates and announcements concerning the upcoming aged care home in Belrose.