Port Kennedy Community Rejects Kennedy Bay Plan

Media Release (Port Kennedy Progress Association):

The local community in Port Kennedy last night unanimously rejected the structure plan for the new Kennedy Bay Development proposed to be built on the current site of the #28 ranked Australian golf course – The Links at Kennedy Bay.

A forum was hosted last night by the Port Kennedy Progress Association aimed at assisting local community members in understanding the structure plan and informing submissions. At the forum a member of the community stood up and posed a question to the rest of the attendees, asking “please put your hand up anyone who may be in favour of this development”. No hands went up.

In a continuation of the themes raised last year the community expressed deep concern over many issues to do with the structure plan. These include: density; access and congestion caused both at points of entry / exit to the estate as well as through existing road networks; foreshore activation; fauna management; and the loss of the golf course.

The unanimous rejection in large part comes down to the developer not willing to engage with or take onboard community wants and needs.

Mr Dirk Mulder, Chair of the Port Kennedy Progress Association said “This is the second forum the Association has held without the developer though they had been invited on both occasions.”

“It is a real shame and a lost opportunity to not have the folks from Place Development or a representative of the owners, Western Australia Beach and Golf Resorts PTY LTD present to promote their planning concepts”.

Density stands out as a key issue in the community’s mind.

The structure plan indicated a base density of R30 (Av 300sqm) with some R 25 (Av 350sqm) on the perimeter. The site also includes dispersed R40 (Av 220sqm) – R60 (150sqm) as well as R80 (Av 120sqm) - R100 which can also go to 4 or 5 storeys.

“The community has serious concerns that this kind of density is just so out of place within the current context of development in the area. It is concerning that 5 storey tower blocks are planned with no services close by.”

“We are recommending that all density higher that R20 be located closer to a planned town centre which should allow for a more practical solution by building a concentration to ensure the success of proposed town centre businesses and easier transport links.”

On a more concerning note the structure plan references a Sales and Development Agreement between the State Government and the proponent. This document has been sealed as cabinet-in-confidence so while the state and the proponent understand what may be in it, it is difficult for the community to understand the rationale behind many decisions.

On the golfing front the development will see nine holes of The Links at Kennedy Bay demolished and potentially rebuilt in another part of the estate and there is a real fear that the golf course will never be seen again.

“Within the structure plan it is made clear that the building of a small town centre will be ‘progressively developed over the life of the estate as demand increases’ so if this is the case for the town centre I believe residents have the right to feel anxious about losing the Links at Kennedy Bay, there certainly hasn’t been any information released” said Mulder.

“The developer has said that the site is an under-utilised parcel of land, well I’d like to see anyone say that about Royal Sydney or Royal Queensland golf course which Kennedy Bay is ranked higher than.” He said.

 

Developer Response:

The developer & owners have made information on the Links Kennedy Bay publicly and widely available - there are currently Display Panels in the existing Golf Clubhouse, on the kennedybayinfo.com.au website and included within a Direct Maildrop distributed to over 4,000 Kennedy Bay households.

This information confirms the following;

• No disruption to the golf course will occur before July 2020.
• The course will be fully restored to a Links 18-hole golf course.
• A staged regeneration of the Golf Course will be scheduled with a phased approach to maximise course use and minimise disruption to golfers, with the intent to have a minimum of 9 holes in use at any given time.
• The development team will keep all members and the community updated throughout this process.

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