Rezoning 'appropriate', says planner

The consultant drafting the Peninsula Urban Directions Strategy for Gosford Council has described rezoning plans for the Ettalong Beach Club land as providing "an appropriate transition from the town centre to (adjacent) residential neighbourhoods".

In a report to be considered by Gosford Council on Tuesday night, Mr Brett Newbold of Brett Newbold Urban Planning/Urban Design said that the amended proposal maintains the original scheme's maximum height of seven storeys, but the taller elements had been substantially reduced.

Hipped roof forms that resulted in a taller building profile had been replaced by gently-pitched skillions.

The amended proposal resulted from meetings held between the applicants Multiplex, council and Mr Newbold and was "consistent with the urban design principles of the preliminary draft of the Peninsula Strategy".

The amended building envelope provides for a maximum height of seven storeys but varied with four to five levels facing Ocean View Rd, five to seven levels facing Memorial Avenue and three to seven levels facing Broken Bay Rd.

The report states: "The higher areas at seven storeys are slender in form, and are located at the edge of the site to provide a transition and screen to the adjoining nine storey development.

"The height of development then decreases towards the Ocean View Rd frontage.

"The form of the building consists of a complex of articulated separate buildings that contain traditional street wall components that vary in height and setback.

"Car parking is provided on three above-ground levels with this car parking shielded from street view by shops and residential uses."

Mr Newbold said that the seven storey elements were likely to provide a highly-effective screen to the sheer side-and-rear walls of the neighbouring nine storey-plus resort development.

The new design would provide an "effective main street backdrop to the Ettalong town centre" and "car parking is screened almost entirely from the surrounding centre".

The draft Peninsula Urban Directions Strategy is currently with the consultant for finalisation, following comments from Gosford Council and the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources.

Council agenda EP.4, January 25