THE Midcoast Council have announced a proposal to develop Hawks Nest beachside area. The proposal seeks to build on the area located on Sanderling Avenue at Hawks Nest.
It will change the zoning from RE1 Public Recreation to R3 Medium Density Residential, alter the maximum allowable height of buildings from 8.5m to 12m and place a minimum lot size for subdivision of on the land of 1000m2.
The expansion also includes a plan to provide over 100 apartments.
The proposal includes the implementation of various measures to support the recovery and long-term management of the Hawks Nest/ Tea Gardens koala population.
It will also help establish and improve the a variety of local walks and provide assistance to the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Life Saving Club.
This proposal is met with conflicting opinions,
A member of a local community group spoke, “Because the apartments will be the only structures, other than the surf club, visible from the beach, it will be a visual eyesore for visitors to this important tourist locality.
Bennetts Beach, stretching from Yacaaba to Dark Point, is a scenic wonder of unspoilt wild NSW coastline that must not be ruined by inappropriate development.”
Contrastingly, another member of the community, Greg Smith approached the development from a view to support small businesses.
“Hawks Nest is a destination that has been part of my family for 30 years.
We go up there and one year we will go to a restaurant and the next year it will be gone, and that’s truly sad.
With the huge increase in visitors over the past few months, I believe expansion is a way forward whilst we can support our local businesses now that there is an interest in the area,” said Greg.
The Midcoast Council welcome feedback about the rezoning proposal, with all information and contact details available on the Midcoast Council website.
All feedback must be submitted before 4:30pm on Friday 5 February 2021. https://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Home
By Tara CAMPBELL