New beach suburb: Plans for 4300 homes around Boat Harbour given green light
The state government has endorsed plans for about 4300 homes, a retail centre and hotels in a new beachside suburb around Boat Harbour on the Kurnell peninsula.
Tentatively named Bidhiinja Beach after the Dharawal name for oyster, it is proposed the suburb be developed in stages over 20 years and, when completed, have 7300 residents.
The state government-assessed rezoning proposal, which was unveiled two years ago, has been placed on public exhibition for community feedback.
A statement on Friday by Planning Minister Paul Scully indicated final approval was a fait-accompli.
Holt Estate 1861 CEO Duncan McComb announces the Planning Proposal on site in February 2024. Picture by John Veage
The statement said, "The Minns Labor Government will unlock up to 4300 new homes as part of a proposed plan to transform 210 hectares of beachfront land on Kurnell Peninsula with new open space, residential, retail and tourism opportunities".
Mr Scully said it was proposed to transform a sand mine into a vibrant community with thousands of new homes, commercial and community facilities, with 50 per cent of the site retained as open space.
Other key features included:
240 affordable homes.
7000 square metres of retail and commercial space.
Building heights of between 3 and 12 storeys.
116 hectares of open space, including three district parks, nine local parks, and sports fields.
Two kilometres of public beachfront along Bate Bay.
Upgrades to Captain Cook Drive to improve traffic flow and emergency access for the peninsula." peninsula.
Proposed new suburb around Boat Harbour on the Kurnell Peninsula. Picture supplied
The statement said development of the area, which is about six kilometres east of Cronulla CBD, would be delivered over 20 years in a staged approach as remediation was completed and the sand mine closed.
As the western portion of the site had already been remediated it was envisioned as a town centre and the first stage of development.
Other parts of the site would be remediated over time, providing land for further homes, open space and retail and commercial development.
"The planned closure of the sand mine and remediation of the Kurnell Peninsula presents an exciting opportunity to transform the area," Mr Scully said.
"This proposal envisions a vibrant new beachfront community with thousands of new homes, jobs and great open space in Sutherland Shire.
"I encourage the community to have their say during the public exhibition period. Feedback from the community will play an important role in the assessment of the proposal."
The Planning Proposal was lodged with Sutherland Shire Council by the Holt family company Besmaw in early 2024, but it was later declared State Significant Development, which meant the assessment was carried out by the state government's department of planning.
The Planning Proposal is the latest in a series of attempts over a period of more than 30 years to develop the Holt family's extensive and long-owned landholdings on the Kurnell peninsula, which now consist mostly of rehabilitated sand mining sites.
Feedback can be submitted via the NSW Planning Portal up until 5pm on Monday May 11.
