planning · Randwick City Council
Randwick panel refuses Coogee wellness studio modification
Randwick Local Planning Panel unanimously refused a Section 4.56 modification for 68 Beach Street, Coogee, citing missing detail, planning non-compliance and concerns about a roof balustrade and gym use.
Randwick Local Planning Panel has unanimously refused a Section 4.56 modification for 68 Beach Street, Coogee, rejecting plans to turn rear storage and plant rooms into a wellness studio for Unit 3 at an electronic meeting on 26 March 2026.
The application also sought minor reconfigurations for a zen garden, planting, external stairs and a new roof balustrade. The panel said the submitted drawings and statement of environmental effects were inconsistent and that the exact extent of the modification was unclear.
It found the proposal failed to comply with the Randwick Local Environmental Plan 2013 and the Randwick Comprehensive Development Control Plan 2013. The panel said it was inconsistent with the R3 zone objectives and exceeded the maximum floor space ratio under clause 4.4.
The refusal also cited failures under the development control plan covering recycling and waste management, landscaped open space and deep soil area, setbacks, solar access and overshadowing, and natural ventilation and energy efficiency.
Council officers had recommended refusal, and the minutes note the matter is already listed for a Section 34 conference on 22 June 2026 after a SOFAC was issued on Council’s refusal reasons.
The panel said it had visited the site, considered written submissions and reviewed the assessment report. It said the site was not suitable for the proposed development and that the modification was not in the public interest.
It then listed the issues it wanted addressed at the Section 34 conference. Those were the lack of detail about relocating approved plant, servicing and storage from the lower level; removing the bar from the gym; placing a covenant on title and a strata rule so the gym and wellness studio can only be used as an amenity facility for Unit 3; and removing the roof balustrade around the rear solar PV.
The same meeting took a different approach at 8 Bishops Ave, Randwick. The panel supported the application and granted consent for alterations and additions to an existing dwelling house, including attic rooms, dormer windows, a roof replacement, changes to existing windows and an internal access stair.
For that site, the panel said the proposal was minor and would result in minimal impact.
At 5R and 5RR Marine Parade, Maroubra, the panel recorded its refusal position for the upcoming Section 34 conference on 22 June 2026. The minutes also record the panel granting consent for the Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club redevelopment, subject to amended coastal engineering and building operations conditions.
Reference minutes
Based on the Randwick Local Planning Panel (Electronic) meeting minutes for 26 March 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Meeting: Randwick Local Planning Panel (Electronic), 26 March 2026.
- 68 Beach Street, Coogee: Section 4.56 modification refused unanimously.
- The Coogee proposal sought a wellness studio, zen garden, planting, stairs and a new roof balustrade.
- The panel said the drawings and statement of environmental effects were inconsistent and the proposal’s extent was unclear.
- A Section 34 conference for the Coogee matter is listed for 22 June 2026.
- 8 Bishops Ave, Randwick: alterations and additions to an existing dwelling were supported and consent granted.
- The Marine Parade, Maroubra item recorded amended coastal engineering and management conditions for a surf lifesaving club redevelopment.
Why it matters
- The Coogee refusal keeps tighter control over what can be added at 68 Beach Street, especially where a residential modification would add a wellness use, while the same meeting shows the panel will back minor dwelling work and impose conditions on larger beachfront projects.