Local real estate expert Peter Russell has endorsed a concept to transform a largely under-utilised Shoalhaven River bank into a high-end commercial and residential precinct.
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The major project championed by Shoalhaven Heads proponent Johny Vynes has a key investor on board, Shoalhaven City Council’s support, and a primarily positive response from South Coast Register residents.
But let’s be real.
In a suburb where four-storey buildings dwarf surrounding properties, will this 10-storey development on river frontage have a hope in hell of being approved?
WATCH THIS VIDEO: Two minutes in, Integrity Real Estate’s Peter Russell talks about the commercial property market in Nowra. Five minutes in, he talks about Johny’s proposal.
Mr Vynes and his team have been under no illusions there are several hurdles they will need to negotiate before the project is shovel-ready.
The South Coast Register asked council’s planning, environment and development director Phillip Costello to explain what may be required to bring the project to a shovel-ready position.
Q: What steps need to be taken to get the project up and running?
A: Several things need to occur. The concept that proponents and the gateway group have put forward doesn’t sit neatly with current planning controls. Changes to the current planning framework is required before a development application could be considered. Council is happy to be in discussion with them and see how our planning controls may need to be amended, and what impact that may have.
Council is reviewing its lower Shoalhaven floodplain study. This will provide us with a greater level of information of how flooding will affect that area. The floodplain study will be significant, the proponent will utilise it to work on designs. It won’t be available until at least 2020. In the meantime there are levels of information we can release that may be of use to the proponent.
Q: It is understood Road and Maritime Services has its eye on the Riverhaven Motel site (for use as a work-base) for its bridge construction project. If that is the case and the RMS acquires that land, do you think Johny’s project will have to go on the back-burner, or are there workarounds?
A: That’s up to any proponent. If there’s a compulsory acquisition or leasing, and that site becomes unavailable for use during the development application process, it’s up to the proponent to see how that impacts on their bottom line.
It’s early days, the proponents have said that, council’s acknowledged that. We’re happy to continue the conversation.
Q: Your department won’t be starved for work by the sounds of it.
A: There’s plenty (of development) going on (in the Shoalhaven), and that’s great. It’s really good to see people in the community come forward with these concepts and start these conversations.
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Meanwhile, on Thursday, in response to significant media coverage of Mr Vynes’ concept, council council clarified its position on the project via the statement below.
Shoalhaven City Council adopted the Nowra Riverfront Leisure and Entertainment Precinct Strategic Direction and Proposed Planning Controls Report on Tuesday, September 11.
The Strategic Direction and Proposed Planning Controls Report were publicly exhibited in April and May.
Council is committed to moving forward with proposed urban design and planning control changes that will enable the redevelopment of this key precinct.
In progressing the proposed planning controls, council will need to consider and respond to the Nowra Bridge project and up to date flood information.
The riverfront precinct provides a significant opportunity to shape the future of Nowra and strengthen its role as the civic, community, tourism and recreational hub for the Shoalhaven region.
Key principles in the strategic direction for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct are to:
- Connect Nowra CBD to the riverfront
- Revitalise the riverfront
- Improve open space along the river
Changes are proposed to Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014 and Shoalhaven Development Control Plan 2014 to amend land use zones, height of buildings and floor space ratios. Separate planning proposals and detailed development controls will be prepared to consider these changes and will involve further community consultation.
Click this link for a copy of the documents exhibited in March, available on council's website.
