Update
The Tempe Tyres development at Kurnell was never intended to resemble the company’s product.
This was revealed when the regional planning panel gave “in principle” support to the controversial “Big Tyre” proposal, pending a further council report on technical matters.
“When we went to explore the site, we thought it’s a pretty hostile area in many respects, with the [oil terminal] tanks and pipes,” the architect told a public hearing on Wednesday.
“We designed a round building, and when our client saw it he said, ‘That looks like our tyres’”.
The architect said the central idea for the design had been for a “sanctuary” from the “hostile” environment.
He said the design was “highly regarded” by the council’s architectural review committee.
It would be coloured zinc grey, and partly screened by landscaping, he said.
Several residents spoke against the proposed development.
Tempe Tyres owner Sam Taleb rejected claims the tyre-shaped building would encourage “hoon” drivin on Captain Cook drive.
“There are revheads all over Kurnell today and I can’t do anything about it,” he said
The panel chairwoman said the panel was fundamentally in agreement with the proposal, and supported it in principle, because it was primarily consistent with the development standards of the precinct.
However, further technical information was needed on the conditions recommended by council.
A determination would be made within seven days, she said.
Earlier
Coffs Harbour has the Big Banana, Goulburn the Big Merino and Kurnell looks set to get the Big Tyre.
A council report has cleared the way for approval of a proposed large warehouse and adjoining tyre-shaped office building for Tempe Tyres.
The facility would be located on Captain Cook Drive near the Caltex fuel terminal.
Sydney South Planning Panel will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, November 21, to hear final submissions before making a decision.
The development application (DA) was lodged in February, 2017, and has undergone extensive assessment process, with changes being made.
The report recommended the 16 metre maximum building height standard for the area be varied to 17.6 metres – a 10 per cent increase – for the warehouse to allow for flood-prone land.
The report recommended deferred commencement development consent subject to conditions being met.
They include completion of the Aboriginal heritage assessment and consultation process, revision of the stormwater design and preparation of a comprehensive stormwater maintenance plan.
The project would involve construction of a warehouse for storage and distribution of new vehicle tyres and the construction of an ancillary office building that would also contain a take away food and drink premises.
Both buildings are intended to be used by Tempe Tyres to service their existing retail outlet on Princes Highway, Tempe.
The report said the scale of the warehouse complex was compatible with the scale and mass of the buildings and large fuel storage tanks on the adjacent Caltex fuel import terminal.
Tempe Tyres plans to operate the warehouse component 24-7 and the office building between 7am and 6pm on weekdays.
There will be up to 80 staff.
The report said the proiject may be staged, with the applicant advising Tempe Tyres may temporarily operate the warehouse prior to constructing the office building.
The council received 14 written submissions.
The main issues identified were:
- Hazards and risks to Kurnell residents.
- Traffic generation, road safety and capacity of Captain Cook Drive.
- Aesthetics of the proposed tyre shaped building.
- Environmental impacts.
The Kurnell Progress Association opposed the DA, saying the buildings would be “very ugly”.
“Kurnell is the birthplace of [modern] Australia and it has really suffered in the past from a lack of respect for its significance in the history of Australia,” its submission said.
Tempe Tyres owner Sam Taleb told the Leader after lodging the DA he believed the Big Tyre would be a landmark that would stand out even for passengers flying into Mascot.
