Narooma residents wait to speak to Broadlands’ representatives at a drop-in session on 9 August about a 200-home over-50s development. Photo: Marion Williams.
The developer of a proposed over-50s residential development in Narooma is appealing to the Land and Environment Court of NSW after Eurobodalla Shire Council rejected the development application (DA) in May.
On Saturday (9 August), Broadlands Pty Ltd held a well-attended drop-in session. The session was part of a social impact assessment by Urbis. Broadlands contracted Urbis to do the assessment to inform its appeal to the court in November.
The proposal was first tabled with council officers in February 2023. The DA was lodged in March 2024.
The proposal is for 200 homes on 12.55 hectares at 27 and 77 Old Highway. The estimated cost is $24.1 million. The proposal involves removing some vegetation, building infrastructure such as roads and footpaths, and building community facilities such as a community clubhouse, cinema, pickleball courts, and pool. The average dwelling size is 250 sqm.
Access to the gated community is by security tags.
It is also a land lease development. People own their houses and Broadlands owns the land. Residents pay an annual lease.
A common concern among residents is the development’s density on land zoned R2 for low-density residential.
One woman said 200 dwellings did not constitute low density and it seemed contradictory to the local environmental plan.
She said the development was not diverse and would not bring in young people. “There are concerns about this type of development putting all old people together,” she said. “I want to stay in a broad age group.”
In a statement to Region, Broadlands said by creating high-quality downsizing opportunities, Narooma Living would not only meet the needs of older residents, but also assist in unlocking existing family homes, freeing up valuable housing stock for younger families, first home buyers, and a wider range of residents. This multiplier effect would look to help address housing supply across multiple age groups, creating a meaningful and lasting benefit for the wider community. Narooma Living wants to provide a solution for the local community.
The woman was told that no substantial changes had been made to the DA since council had rejected it, with the number of houses and their size unchanged.
There were several information boards on display at the drop-in session including one showing the construction timeline. Photo: Marion Williams.
One man said an image on one of the display boards at the drop-in session that depicted a house surrounded by a spacious lawn was misleading. “That photo is very deceptive. It won’t look like that,” he said.
Several people said communication and community consultation had been poor. Some said the two men representing Broadlands could not answer their questions satisfactorily.
One woman said the site was unsuitable because it was flat and flooded.
Others expressed concern about the amount of traffic that 200 to 400 new residents would generate.
Even people who wanted the proposal to go ahead were worried about access and asked about parking for caravans and visitors.
One woman who supported it said the housing would be “more the budget end”. “We actually feel it fills a gap for people with only $300,000 to $400,000,” she said.
The housing is described as affordable. Some asked about likely pricing.
“You are saying it is affordable at 70 per cent of the market price, but market prices aren’t affordable,” one woman said. “The average price in Narooma is $1,000,000, so $700,000 isn’t affordable.”
She said many people had sent questions to council about the development and never received answers. The woman was very concerned about a “mud map” in the DA indicating there would be a road along the border of her property.
She said she applauded the Broadlands development in Tamworth that was close to shops. “Success in Tamworth does’t necessarily equate to success in Narooma,” she said. “I just think it isn’t in the right spot. It is really over the top.”
Plan of the proposed 200-home over-50s development at 27 and 77 Old Highway. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council website.
One woman supported the development because she said it would be good for social connection which was important as people aged.
A local real estate agent was a fan of land lease developments.
“My understanding is they will get some rental assistance. The government would rather pay rental assistance than provide social housing,” he said.
He said women aged 55-plus were particularly at risk of homelessness and land lease developments provided safe, friendly housing.
He said people had said the Parklands housing estate in Narooma’s industrial area would be disastrous, but everyone who was living there loved it. He said the developers of land lease communities in the US made double-digit returns.
One couple said they preferred a tidy, well-managed development like the one proposed than the usual subdivision.
One woman was upset that the proposal was being pursued after residents’ detailed and well-researched objections and council’s rejection.
“There is big money behind you, but to me the environment, and the wellbeing and safety of people is more important than money and profit.”
