FOUR proposals have been put forward in the Huskisson Foreshore Masterplan which is on exhibition until August 10.
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Around 400 people attended two Shoalhaven City Council drop in sessions during the school holidays in Huskisson as part of exhibition period.
The masterplan presents a vision and principles for the Huskisson Foreshore precinct, a wider town centre concept plan and four development concepts for 59 Owen Street, the adjoining road reserve and the Club Jervis Bay site at 2 Currambene Street.
The concepts, developed by a community reference group, each have different outcomes in terms of impacting on the view, activating the foreshore and the cost to council and the community.
The aim was to respond to financial viability, community needs, statutory planning and best practice urban design, while community values of maintaining the views across 59 Owen Street, activating the waterfront, improving pedestrian and vehicular access between Owen Street and the foreshore, upgrading surrounding parklands and streetscapes were also taken into account.
The development also had to stay ‘in character’ with Huskisson.
The plan includes a number of land uses in both private and public ownership including council owned land at 59 Owen Street, adjoining public reserves, Huskisson Public Wharf, Currambene Street Road Reserve and Owen Street footpath/road reserve; Crown Reserve Areas – Voyager Memorial Park and White Sands Park, two Currambene Street - Club Jervis Bay including car park and adjoining retail stores and 75 Owen Street Huskisson Hotel.
While the concepts primarily focuses on 59 Owen Street, it also takes into consideration the wider Foreshore Masterplan Precinct.
The four concepts are –
Scenario 1 A and B - Minimal development - This has two variants (A and B), incorporating a large open space on 59 Owen Street with small amount of retail at the wharf edge. Variant A does not include any built form at the level of Owen Street. Variant B includes a small lightweight, primarily glazed pavilion at Owen Street. Upgrades are proposed to Currambene Street. At 2 Currambene Street, the proposal is for a two or three storey mixed use courtyard development with one level of basement car park.
This allows for the preservation of the view, which is currently offered and provides a generous new open space for both residents and visitors to Huskisson to enjoy with a limited amount of retail space facing the foreshore.
Scenario 2 - Medium development - This includes a three storey mixed use building to 59 Owen Street, oriented north-south along the western boundary, with one level of car park. A large open space is proposed on Currambene Street and a small part of 2 Currambene Street - this space allows for the same width of view to be experienced. At 2 Currambene Street, a mixed use courtyard development is proposed of three or four storeys with one level of basement car parking.
This aims to provide a middle ground approach by retaining the majority of the views from 59 Owen Street, while providing a certain amount of development. It provides a generous open space that spans the site, Currambene Street and part of 2 Currambene Street.
Scenario 3 - Maximum development - This provides the maximum amount of development permissible under the LEP and DCP on the sites, and includes a mixed use development of four storeys (which includes the height bonus provision) on 59 Owen Street with one level of car parking. At 2 Currambene Street, a mixed use building of four storeys is proposed with one level of car parking. New public open space and a shared surface connection is proposed at the current location of Currambene Street.
This provides a different approach, with the maximum opportunity for viability through increased commercial and residential accommodation. While it allows for a view of Myola Spit from Currambene Street, it does compromise existing views from 59 Owen Street.
Mayor Joanna Gash said all four options in the masterplan were out for comment and council had not made a decision on any at this point.
“Any decision would be considered by the new council after the September elections,” she said.
“Council is committed to ensure the iconic views from this section of Owen Street are not inappropriately hindered with overdevelopment.
“However, council has always considered that some form of commercial development could be integral to the successful future management of this land.”
Council purchased 59 Owen Street, Huskisson in March 2015, through a successful tender bid from Club Jervis Bay Ltd, the owner of 2 Currambene Street.
The site includes adjoining public reserve areas and the adjoining Currambene Street and Owen Street footpath/road reserve.
Prior to council purchasing the site, it had remained vacant following the demolition of Arundel Guest house (built around 1910 and demolished in the 1970s) and had been used as an informal car park for overflow vehicles of the club, and visitors to the town centre.
The draft masterplan is currently on public exhibition until August 10 at Council’s Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra. The draft masterplan can also be viewed on council’s website at www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/My-Council/Current-Projects/Huskisson-Foreshore-Masterplan.