Residents consider legal action over four-storey buildings approved for Aldinga Beach
Celeste Villani,
[email protected], Southern Times Messenger
May 29, 2018 11:37am
A CONTROVERSIAL holiday, residential and retirement living development is on its way to Aldinga Beach, much to the disappointment of locals who fought to stop the proposal.
Now, some residents are considering legal action to have the decision overturned.
The State Commission Assessment Panel last week gave developer Winwest the green light to build four buildings on the corner of Rowley and Aldinga Beach roads.
The $46.8 million project – branded Latitude – will offer 62 short-stay accommodation units in a five-storey building that includes three commercial tenancies on the ground floor and a rooftop terrace.
There will be two four-storey buildings with 36 independent living units in each and a three-storey complex with 28 residential units.
Approval came despite strong opposition from local residents who said Latitude would block their views to the hills.
Winwest spokesman Nathan Paine said the project, to begin construction in mid to late 2019, was a boost for the area.
About 120 jobs would be created during construction, then 50 ongoing jobs afterwards.
“It is going to be a boom for the area and there will be more people on the ground, which will be great for the shopping centre across the road,” Mr Paine said.
“It will also be an architectural statement as an entry point into Aldinga Beach.
“So combine jobs with activity – and we think it’s going to be a great outcome.”
He said there was a shortage of retirement living in the area.
“Now people will not have to leave their community and their family,” Mr Paine said.
In November last year, the commission deferred making a decision on Winwest’s plan because it wanted it to “further consider” the proposal.
Winwest scaled back two buildings by a storey each, but residents have condemned the changes as minimal.
Under Onkaparinga Council’s development plan, the land earmarked for the buildings is zoned to allow buildings up to three storeys high.
Friends of Willunga Basin secretary David Gill presented a 70-signature petition of protest to Onkaparinga Council in November 2017.
He said the committee would now look into potential appeal options.
“We’re disappointed and frustrated,” Mr Gill said.
“It beggars belief that it seems that decisions are so often pro-development, and do not respect the views of residents.”
Aldinga Bay Residents Association president Bob Evans said the group might consider legal action and would discuss its option at a public meeting next month.
People living nearby would be “bloody disappointed” about their views being obstructed.
“They won’t be very happy because it is going to devalue their land,” Mr Evans said.
“It’s going to be like Surfers Paradise where they have a lovely beach and go put in high rises … so you can’t see the beach.”
Aldinga Bay Trade and Tourism Association chairwoman Hazel Wainwright said Latitude was a “double-edged sword”.
“I am in two minds because development is fantastic for the area, but I think five storeys is too intense,” Ms Wainwright said.
“It’s probably too soon … we don’t even have a train station down there yet.”