Bermagui Matters act to oppose gated seniors housing development

A proposed gated development for over-60s in Bermagui has galvanised a group of residents into action.

In some respects, it is similar to the $24.1 million development application (DA) lodged with Eurobodalla Shire Council in early July for a 200-dwelling manufactured housing estate for over-50s. In both cases the dwellings are relatively small and fairly densely packed onto the sites. The dwellings are manufactured off-site for assembly on-site. Both developments are land lease communities whereby residents own the dwellings and lease the land from the company owner.

The Bermagui development is described as a seniors living lifestyle resort development. The DA was lodged with Bega Valley Shire Council in November 2023 and is still being assessed.

A group of residents opposed to the DA for different reasons formed Bermagui Matters in February 2024.

They oppose the $26.5 million development at Nutleys Creek Road on the southwestern edge of Bermagui because of the site’s high fire risk and the loss of biodiversity and habitat of several threatened and vulnerable species. The DA said 13.4 hectares of native vegetation would be removed.

The group said the 162-dwelling development, in conjunction with other housing developments in Bermagui, would lead to traffic congestion given it was two kilometres from Bermagui’s town centre. Similarly, the sudden influx of elderly residents would put local services, particularly medical care, emergency services, utilities, sewerage and the water supply from the Brogo River, under serious strain.

Some think that 162 dwellings on small plots would create a heat island effect given the lack of tree shade, reduced green surface and poor solar orientation.

Others have criticised the homogenous gated housing precinct for isolating and marginalising the elderly.

Bermagui Matters member Hal Judge said another issue of contention was the land lease business model.

“The ABC’s investigative 7.30 report on 15 July found that many ‘lifestyle communities’ promise retirees affordable, resort-style living but some residents say they’re a ‘financial prison’ with a multitude of management fees and problems exiting and resellling,” Mr Judge said. “We would prefer equitable solutions to the lack of affordable housing in the region through supporting environmentally sensitive developments that give people of all ages housing security.”

Bermagui Matters has a Facebook page along with a petition with almost 1500 signatures opposing the development.

They wrote letters to each councillor voicing their concerns. Councillors were unable to respond given “the DA will be referred to councillors in due course due to the number of submissions received”.

Other community groups have become involved. Bermagui Community Forum contacted the developer, Metacap Group Holdings, to request a community forum to provide residents with additional information and answer their questions. Metacap declined to meet the community but said it would send an information memorandum that would address concerns and also showcase the benefits to the community. To date nothing has been received.

Traditional owners and members of the Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council walked through the site with a team of archaeologists and submitted a report to the council while the Far South Coast Koala Action Network conducted a koala survey in Bermagui in May.

The RFS submitted a report about the DA to the council noting the proposal did not meet necessary criteria.

Bermagui Matters member Motria von Schreiber said the site was surrounded by koala habitats such as the Murrah Reserve. “It is part of a critical wildlife corridor for other creatures including yellow-bellied gliders, feathertail gliders, sugar gliders, flying foxes, microbats, sooty owls, tawny frogmouths, glossy black cockatoos and ganggangs, to name just a few,” Ms von Schreiber said. “Further extensive research is needed to understand the ecological significance of this site.”

After Bermagui Matters contacted the Department of Environment and Heritage NSW about the matter, it was referred to the Save our Species program for the southern region of NSW.

Bermagui Matters has brought the DA to the attention of three MPs – Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain, and Greens MPs Cate Faehrmann and Tamara Smith – plus South East Landcare, Friends of Bermagui Forest and other coastal community groups facing “very similar challenges with inappropriate land clearing and development”.

Mr Judge said they recognised the diverse needs of the community and encouraged respectful and well-informed dialogue about the development proposal.

“We would like to see collaboration and community partnerships to ensure the protection of Bermagui’s unique environmental beauty and cultural heritage,” Mr Judge said. “We welcome innovative solutions to the societal and environmental challenges facing Bermagui.”