Two proposed developments for Narooma's commercial precinct on the 'flat'

Narooma’s commercial precinct on the ‘flat’, opposite the former Visitors Information Centre, could have quite a different look and feel if two development applications (DAs) go ahead.

The vibe could be transformed by the conversion of short-term accommodation at Olympic Lodge Narooma, at 76 Princes Highway, into a cafe and small bar. The cafe’s proposed opening hours would be 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Sunday, and 3 to 10 pm Wednesday to Sunday for the bar.

Shop-top housing is proposed for the currently vacant site at 82 Princes Highway, at the roundabout on the corner of the highway and McMillan Road. DA0127/25 proposes a three-storey residential development, plus a rooftop communal open space, with commercial premises on the ground level. There would be 21 apartments, including four affordable ones, and two retail premises.

The documents submitted to Eurobodalla Shire Council regarding the cafe and small bar on behalf of Nelipa Enterprises Pty Ltd said DA0232/25 would activate the commercial precinct and generate employment and economic growth.

The site currently has a two-storey building, with short-stay accommodation on the ground level and residential use above. A single-storey detached building to the rear contains a hairdresser.

The proposed cafe area would include a point of sales area and kitchen, plus a covered (timber pergola) outdoor cafe seating area with a gate.

Bar service would only be via a service window. The proposal does not include the playing or performance of music, and there would not be any footpath trading. The draft operational management plan included several measures said to ensure there is no significant adverse noise impact on nearby residential dwellings.

The development is said to improve the public domain through the revitalisation of a sealed car parking area to an open space eatery with a bench table that would activate the street frontage. There would also be improved landscaping including vines around the poles of the timber pergola.

The proposed development includes an office area, disabled toilet facilities, and part demolition of a shed for parking and vehicles turning in the rear yard. There would be three onsite parking spaces.

The documents stated there were 229 car parking spaces within 170 metres of the site. They also cited the traffic and parking impact assessment for the nearby shop-top housing development to demonstrate the cafe and bar would not have an adverse impact.

The estimated cost of the conversion is $68,400. The notification date was 6 December and submissions close on 12 January.

The $9.43 million shop-top housing development includes 12 two-bedroom apartments, four of which would be classified affordable, and nine three-bedroom apartments. On the ground and basement levels there are 38 parking spaces, 34 for residents and four for retail staff. That is 10 more parking spaces than regulations require.

The proposed communal open space on the rooftop has views to Wagonga Inlet and the Tasman Sea. The paved area would have a barbecue, playground and exercise areas, plus a spa.

A petrol station was previously on the site. The resulting contamination was successfully remediated in December 2014.

The proposed development does not comply with regulations in that it exceeds the maximum height limit and does not have the required minimum landscaped area.

The development would be 18.45 metres high, in excess of the normal limit of 11.5 metres in the Eurobodalla Local Environmental Plan. Because the development includes affordable housing, the maximum height allowed is 14.95 metres.

The DA documentation said only the decorative pergola, lift overrun, fire stairs and top of the communal open space amenities exceeded the 14.95-metre height limit.

“Since these elements are recessed from the building sides being centrally located on the roof, the building appears to be height compliant from adjoining properties and surrounding public areas.”

The standard requires a minimum landscaped area of 35 sqm per dwelling or 30 per cent of the site area.

The documents submitted said “compliance with the standard is considered unreasonable and unnecessary in the circumstance as the proposed development is for shop-top housing and the zoning permits zero setback to all boundaries commensurate with a 100 per cent site coverage associated with commercial development at ground level”.

The landscaped areas would therefore be concentrated around the footpath and rooftop areas, plus three of the first floor units have balconies with planter boxes on the southern side of the development.