A new co-living space is being proposed for a small Far South Coast town. Photo: NSW Planning Portal.
Plans have been lodged to change a site that’s been home to an Eden motel into affordable housing.
Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) has received a development application (DA) concerning the site of the Eden Golf View Motel on the Princes Highway.
The DA is seeking to change the site’s use to ‘co-living’ housing. It is currently classed as ‘hotel or motel accommodation’.
According to the DA documents, the motel is about 1.4 kilometres north of Eden’s town centre.
The motel has infrastructure including a kitchen, laundry facilities, a swimming pool and carparking.
If given the green light, it will be transformed into a co-living facility with 17 self-contained rooms.
“The proposed change in use will provide housing that meets the future needs of the community in the [form] of affordable co-living housing development that is very well designed for intended use and offers a high level of amenity to future occupants while protecting neighbours’ amenity.
“The proposal is consistent with the objectives of the R3 Medium Density zone [of the location].”
Under a proposed plan of management (PoM) lodged with the DA, each of the co-living rooms will be home to a maximum of two people.
“It is the policy of the co-living house to not let rooms to occupants that are unaccompanied children aged under 16 years, or to someone who could be a child aged under 16 years living away from home,” the document states.
A manager will oversee the residents and be on site 24/7, while another staff member will be on call to assist the manager.
The PoM also states the rooms will come with a bed, cupboards, an in-room kitchenette, desk and chair, a lamp, a television and air conditioning.
Residents will need prior approval to bring their own furniture.
The in-room kitchenettes will have various appliances, such as a microwave, toaster and a bar fridge.
The existing 14 ground-level parking spaces will be set aside for residents’ use.
“The motorcycle and bicycle parking spaces will be available for use by co-living house residents on a first come, first serve basis and no additional rent will be charged for their use,” according to the DA.
Visitors will only be able to use common areas between 9 am and 9 pm, and must be accompanied by a resident.
An existing dwelling on the site will be demolished.
A demolition report by earthworks company All Dirt and Demo Pty Ltd found that the dwelling has a timber frame, a tin roof and asbestos sheeting as cladding.
“The existing dwelling to the rear of the existing motel building will be demolished and the area will be brought back to a natural state.”
Architectural plans indicate there will be minor demolition works to parts of the motel (such as removal of some internal walls, benches and a laundry sink).
Under the proposal, the pool will remain, while an undercover common area will be added to the site.
The development is expected to cost about $99,390.
The DA, with the application number 10.2026.15.1, is currently under consideration by the council.
