The $19.4 million development has gained planning permission despite opposition community opposition to the three and four storey buildings.

And while the development is 58 per cent higher than what's allowed both the proponent, Port Stephens Veterans and Citizens Aged Care, and Port Stephens Council, said it was a good compromise.

"It's true, we've got a lot of land at the back of the site but previous plans failed to get environmental approval," company chairman Gerry Mohan said.

"The key thing for us is to provide aged care. The people who come into the villas or apartments effectively make a donation that helps pay for that."

The company hopes that the development, to take across two sites, will cater to some of the 800 people on its waiting list.

A four-storey block at 60 Diemars Road, toward the rear of the existing village, will contain 10 adaptable two-bedroom apartments, 17 standard two-bedroom apartments and a one bedroom apartment with study.

The three-storey development will front Soldiers Point Road and consist of 28 self-contained dwellings, comprising two adaptable two-bedroom apartments, 24 regular two-bedroom apartments and two three-bedroom apartments.

The ground floor of each building will will include reception areas, lifts, bicycle racks and mobility scooter areas.

An existing building on Soldiers Point Road, which is largely vacant, will be demolished to make way for the larger replacement. 

Councillors were unanimous in their decision.

“This is one development we desperately need in Salamander,” Cr Sally Dover said.

“Sure, it’s going to change the character, but as land becomes more scarce we are going to see more like it.”

Apartments test council planning rule

NEIGHBOURS of the Salamander Haven Village fear a new development approved for the site will drastically alter the area’s character.

The developer Port Stephens Veterans and Citizens Aged Care has gained approval to build a three-storey apartment block at 240 Soldiers Point Road – a full storey higher than presently available on the strip.

Port Stephens Council also granted approval for a four-storey apartment block toward the rear of the site. This exceeds the 9 metre height restriction set out in the 2013 Local Environment Plan by 5.57 metres, or 58 per cent. 

Neighbour Kathryn Renfrew spoke at the council meeting and noted that all 11 submissions were opposed to the development

“It was a unanimous if relatively small response from a community against not only the height but the bulk,” she said.

The development takes place on land zoned for low density residential use (R2). The proponent asked council to use its discretion under clause 4.6 of the 2013 LEP to allow the height increase.

Richard Turner who lives on Soldiers Point Road opposite the development site said it was a gross over development and questioned council’s processes. Mr Turner, a former Cessnock council alderman, asked why Port Stephens Council did not include the full submissions of people who respond to such developments in the meeting agenda, as is common practice at other councils. He also asked how council’s planning staff could assume it had the NSW Department of Planning’s ‘concurrence’ in such a large variation from the 2013 LEP.

“I suggest to you Mr Mayor that the proposal does not tick one of the necessary boxes for approval,” he said.

A member of the council’s development services team responded that his planners worked under ‘assumed concurrence’ from the Department, as spelled out in a circular to all councils. He also noted that council contacted the Department in this case as a matter of course.

The Examiner confirmed with the Department of Planning that its advice was sought. It’s understood the Department told the council it should consult Departmental guidelines.

“For me, the fact it’s seniors housing pushes it over the line,” Cr Steve Tucker said.

The vote was unanimous.