Application to change tourism accommodation nature of 40 units in Sur Mer (Northies) at Cronulla rejected

It was the second failed attempt to remove or modify a condition that was imposed when the Sur Mer development was approved in the late 1990s.

The condition, which was designed to encourage tourism at Cronulla, restricts the consecutive habitation of 40 units on levels three to five by any one person to a maximum of three months.

Removal of the condition would have meant the apartment owners could have permanently taken up residence.

It would have added significantly to the value of the properties.

A council report said 30 of the 40 tourist accommodation apartments were privately owned, but managed by Quest Apartment Hotels.

The other 10 tourist accommodation apartments were managed by their respective owners, the report said.

It said Quest also managed 30 short stay “hotel style” accommodation units.

The council report said 56 submissions objecting to the development application were received, with four submissions in support.

The council gave six reasons for refusal, mostly under the Environmental Planning and assessment Act.

They included that, if approved, the development would not be substantially the same as that for which consent was originally granted.

Other reasons included that the apartments did not meet design quality requirements for permanent occupancy and that modified development would have  an adverse economic impact in the locality. 

The council said the application was not in line with its strategic framework and adopted policies for the area, and it would be likely to set an undesirable precedent.

Approval would undermine the decision to grant additional floor space for the purpose of stimulating tourism when the development was first approved.

It would also be contrary to the aims of state and local planning strategies that sought to continue to develop Cronulla as a tourism destination.