Plans Filed for 88-Home Project in NSW Beach Town

Developers have applied to build 88 townhouses and apartments as part of a $33-million development in a small New South Wales coastal town mid-way between Newcastle and Coffs Harbour.

A development application before the Mid-Coast Council seeks to sub-divide 3.234ha on Old Bar Road, in the beach-side town of Old Bar, about 320km north of Sydney.

In documents prepared by Coffs Harbour planner Chris Pratt, the council was told the proposed development is for a mixed housing development consisting of traditional residential lots, two and three-bedroom townhouses and two-bedroom apartments.

The majority of the buildings have been designed with a maximum height of 8.5 metres.

The application, on behalf of project manager Rae McEwen of Oatrain Pty Ltd, seeks 56 townhouses, 24 apartments and eight housing lots. The townhouses all include two-car garages, while the apartments have semi-basement parking. 

The land currently contains a 1950’s house and some small sheds. The developer says the house will be relocated because of the likelihood it contains asbestos.

▲ Developers are seeking permission to build 56 townhouses.

“The public interest is best served by the orderly and economic use of land for purposes permissible under the relevant planning regime and predominantly in accordance with the prevailing planning controls,” the application said.

“The development will provide much-needed accommodation and enhanced amenity for a wide range of families, providing them with quality environmental responsive housing, and provide employment opportunities to the locality through construction activities.”

Old Bar has a population of about 5000 people.