APPROVAL has been given for an extra two storeys to be added to a Gymea apartment block development that has had a troubled history.
The $13 million project on the Kingsway, adjoining the clock tower building at the entrance to Gymea shopping village, has been "upsized" to six storeys.
In 2013, a six-storey building with ground floor commercial area and 42 units was approved by Sutherland Shire Council under the draft local environmental plan (LEP).
However, the decision was rescinded after the state government announced an inquiry into the LEP.
In 2014, the council approved a six-storey building, despite staff and the Independent Hearing Assessment Panel recommending refusal.
That decision was also rescinded and a four-storey building approved.
Following the gazettal of the new LEP this year, a new DA was submitted, which included an extra two storeys and other design changes. It was approved under delegated authority and this time the decision stood.
The development will have 38 apartments, with a six-storey frontage to the Kingsway, stepping down to four storeys in Chapman Street.
In its decision, the council said the six-storey height complied with the 20-metre building height for the area in LEP 2015 and the scale of the project was in keeping with the council's vision for the future character of Gymea centre.
The council said the clock tower building would "not lose its visual presence as a landmark and entry statement" to the village and the clock tower building had "the same maximum height limit as the subject site".
LONG WAIT
A Sutherland development has also gained an extra two storeys after a long battle.
It will also be six storeys and will have 49 units.
In 2012, Sutherland Shire Council approved a four-storey apartment block with 31 units at 558-566 President Avenue, on the corner of Merton Street.
The following year, the developer sought to increase the height to five storeys but the application was refused.
In 2014, a new DA was submitted, seeking an increase to six storeys, which was again refused.
In August this year, after the developer lodged an appeal with the NSW Land and Environment Court, the council approved the two extra storeys, with a slight reduction in the number of units.
