Three-storey home approved for Bermagui's CBD could be a sign of more to come

The commercial arcade on Lamont St was built in the 1960s, but more recently a dwelling was constructed at its rear that fronts Sherwin Lane.

At Bega Valley Shire Council's meeting on Wednesday, an application was granted to demolish this dwelling and build a three-storey home 9.45-metres high, when measured from Sherwin Lane's existing ground level and not from the arcade's, that looked out across Horseshoe Bay to Gulaga.

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Mayor Kristy McBain said while part of it was above council's 10-metre height limit, the variation is never greater than 10 per cent of the limit, and was in front of the bulk of the building so did not impact on any neighbours' view.

She later clarified there was a small section at the front of the design that was slightly above the height limit which had been acknowledged in the report.

"Staff have the ability to approve the item under delegation, but brought it to council as per the submissions received," she said.

At the meeting, Mayor McBain said there would be points in time when the shire's CBDs would be built out to their height limits.

"If you're having height limits in town there is going to become a point in time where someone will build to that height limit and that is what is currently happening," she said.

"I don't see that this item or this DA should be rejected because somebody is taking advantage of the height limit available to them."

In the meeting's agenda council staff stated the development had "generated significant public interest", with concerns over view sharing and the impact on the town's character.

Thirty-five people submitted objections to the original designs then a further 23 objections were handed in over the revised, and ultimately approved, designs.

These revised plans had the height reduced, a glazed central staircase installed and setbacks on the rear, side and front of the top floor to reduce the impact on its neighbours' view.

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Councillor Jo Dodds commended the design and acknowledged the applicant's effort to ameliorate some of the concerns.

"But I'm still concerned the very box-like, brutalist architecture is not in-keeping with the character of Bermagui," she said.

"I'm also concerned if a series of similar 'shop top' buildings were to be constructed along Lamont St you'd have a very changed character to the town and to the main street."

Cr Cathy Griff said once built the building would be "visible from just about everywhere" and the glazed central staircase was not a "real solution in terms of one's view".

She also said the revised plans still went "completely contrary" to what had been written in council's future character statements for its towns, and residents felt like this was a difficult time to have their voices heard over the matter due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Mayor McBain said she received many emails on the issue, especially to do with the timing of it appearing before council, but said the DA had been lodged last year and "council business can't and won't stop during this period" of coronavirus restrictions.

The DA passed, opposed by Crs Dodds and Griff.