Randwick Local Planning Panel (Public) - 11 Jun 2026

Topics

• Randwick panel refuses 3-storey Maroubra shop-top housing proposal
  A local planning panel has rejected a major mixed-use apartment proposal after finding multiple planning and amenity problems.
  The decision affects redevelopment in an E1 Local Centre area and highlights the panel’s stance on overdevelopment and apartment design quality.
• Coogee development application refused after panel says issues are too significant
  The panel refused a Coogee proposal rather than deferring it, saying the issues were significant and alternative pathways existed.
  The decision may affect local redevelopment expectations and signals scrutiny of contentious applications in Coogee.

Decisions

• Refusal: 17-21 Lexington Place, Maroubra (DA/1416/2025)
  Consent was refused for demolition of the existing building and construction of a 3-storey shop-top housing development with 10 apartments, a retail/commercial unit, basement parking and associated works. The panel found non-compliance with local and state planning controls, including floor space ratio, height, amenity, solar access, communal open space, site isolation and contamination/acid sulfate soil concerns.
  Affects redevelopment expectations, neighbourhood amenity and future built form in Maroubra.
• Refusal: 1A Waltham Street, Coogee (DA/194/2026)
  The panel refused the proposal, noting the issues requiring resolution were significant and that refusal was appropriate despite the applicant seeking deferral. The text indicates concerns from Council and local residents and suggests alternate pathways could achieve a better outcome.
  Affects development outcomes and local amenity in Coogee.

Discussion

• Planning compliance and overdevelopment concerns
  The panel cited breaches or unresolved issues relating to the Randwick LEP 2012, including local centre objectives, floor space ratio, building height, site isolation and the public interest.
  Signals strict scrutiny of redevelopment proposals and stronger protection of neighbourhood character.
• Apartment design and amenity issues
  The Maroubra application was said to fail communal open space requirements, deliver poor solar access outcomes for some apartments, and provide undersized balconies.
  Relevant to future apartment design quality and liveability standards.
• Contamination and acid sulfate soil risk
  The panel noted insufficient investigation for potentially affected land, including no detailed site investigation and no acid sulfate soils assessment for the Maroubra site.
  Important for site remediation, construction risk and environmental safety.

Impacts

• Two local development proposals were refused, which may delay or reshape redevelopment in Maroubra and Coogee.
• The Maroubra refusal may influence future building scale, setbacks, parking and apartment amenity in the area.
• Residents near 1A Waltham Street, Coogee, will not see the proposed development proceed in its current form.

Places

• Maroubra (suburb)
  Site of the refused development application at 17-21 Lexington Place.
• 17-21 Lexington Place (street address)
  Location of the refused shop-top housing proposal in Maroubra.
• Coogee (suburb)
  Site of the refused development application at 1A Waltham Street.
• 1A Waltham Street (street address)
  Location of the refused development proposal in Coogee.

Next

• Applicant may consider redesigning and resubmitting the refused proposals
  Future lodgement not stated
• Council and applicants may pursue alternative pathways for the Coogee site
  Not specified

Extract

This is of the Minutes of the Randwick Local Planning Panel (Public) meeting held on 11 June 2026 MINUTES OF RANDWICK LOCAL PLANNING PANEL (PUBLIC) MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026 AT 1:00 PM Present: Chairperson: Steven Layman Expert Members: Stephen Alchin & Michael Leavey Community Representatives: Zofia Kuypers Council Officers present: Manager Development Assessment Mr F Ko Coordinator Fast Track Mr M Rivera Coordinator Major Assessments Mr F Macri Acknowledgement of Country The Acknowledgement of Country was read by Steven Layman Declarations of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests A) Nil declared a non significant non pecuniary interest. After the above speakers had addressed...