The site of a proposed development near Tura Beach to house between 126 and 252 residents. Photos: Supplied.
The site of a controversial proposed development near Tura Beach has been listed for sale even as an Australian Government environmental assessment continues.
The Mirador Stage 13 development was approved in 1989, making it a so-called ”zombie development”.
Ever since news emerged of the development in 2022, residents in the area have been campaigning against it to protect the site’s rich biodiversity.
In late 2025, Melbourne property developer RCL Group listed almost 69 hectares of land with Colliers.
The land is zoned R2 Low-Density Residential and C2 Environmental Conservation.
It is a 14-stage development with five stages yet to be constructed. This is the land that has been listed for sale.
The description on the agent’s website does not disclose that the land is being assessed because it contains listed threatened species and communities.
In a June 2024 submission to the NSW Government’s inquiry into historical development consents, RCL Merimbula said it had received a letter from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in August 2022 identifying that the site may contain threatened and endangered species. The department advised RCL of its obligations to refer the site for consideration under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act).
The development site is home to Yellow-bellied Gliders.
RCL self-referred the development application (DA) covering Stages 8, 9, and 13. Those are expected to house between 126 and 252 residents when complete.
In late November 2024, CRUNCH, a community group opposed to the development, learnt that the DA had been referred to the Environment Minister for review as an EPBC-controlled action.
A DCCEEW spokesperson said under the EPBC Act, a controlled action was a proposed action that was likely to have a significant impact on nationally protected matters such as threatened plants and animals.
“A controlled action requires assessment and approval under the EPBC Act. For the Mirador Estate, there are six protected matters that are of most concern, including the Yellow-bellied Glider, Gang-gang Cockatoo and Swift Parrot,” the spokesperson said.
The proposed action area covers 21.39 hectares and is currently predominantly remnant native vegetation.
Alex Young, a member of CRUNCH, said the timing of the sale, with the EPBC assessment ongoing and new environmental legislation coming into play this year, was “pretty significant”.
“We are advocating for the land to be acquired for conservation purposes by the State or Federal Government, a private owner or a philanthropic organisation because of its really rich biodiversity value,” she said. “It is a prime opportunity given its rich biodiversity.”
Ms Young said the site had the critically endangered Merimbula Star-hair shrub, and CRUNCH knew the location of the habitat and feeding trees of the resident Yellow-bellied Glider and long-nosed potoroos.
The pristine natural beauty of Tura Beach.
She said the site was “irreplaceable habitat”.
It is the wildlife corridor connecting the Bournda National Park and land owned by the Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council with Tura Beach.
“It provides fresh water and is the only safe crossing for fauna and arboreal creatures between the national park and coastal waters,” Ms Young said, adding there was a freshwater creek leading to a natural dam.
The listing for the site said Bega Valley Shire’s long-term vacancy rate was 1.5 per cent.
Ms Young said the Mirador development would not provide affordable housing and would likely be used for holiday homes and short-term rentals.
“Tourists come here for the pristine natural beauty,” she said. “They don’t come to see over-development.”
The DCCEEW spokesperson said the assessment had progressed and the department had requested RCL to publish the assessment material so that a final assessment and decision could be made.
The spokesperson said there was no timeframe for preparation of the assessment material. That was up to RCL. The department has 40 business days to decide whether to approve the project once RCL has published the assessment material.
If the land was sold, the spokesperson said, any obligations under the EPBC Act would also apply to the new owner.
RCL Group was contacted for comment.
