The JRPP, made up of three State Government representatives and two Eurobodalla Shire Council members, announced last week that they had approved the development application for tourist accommodation, a general store and restaurant at 17-21 Wharf Road, Surfside.

The same site is currently being investigated under Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Interim Sea Level Rise Adaptation Policy.

Despite submissions against the development and potential threats from flooding and sea level rise, the panel approved the development application because they were “satisfied that it was okay”, government-appointed panel member Alan Grimwood said.

The development includes three buildings, with a total of 28 tourist accommodation units, a first-floor restaurant and a ground-level general store. The site is located opposite East’s Riverside Holiday Park.

Mr Grimwood said the developer, Bayview Batemans Bay Pty Ltd, provided additional information that addressed sea level rises and flooding issues in its development application.

“We’re satisfied the flood levels are adequate,” he said.

It is expected that sea levels will rise 40cm by 2050 and 90cm by 2100.

Mr Grimwood said the development would be 1.2m above the “worst-case scenario” sea level rise and flooding level in 2050, and 0.7m in 2100.

He also said concerns about sea level rise and potential flooding were seriously considered, along with the strong need for tourism development in Batemans Bay.

He said the area was zoned for tourism development, and that it was the perfect location for more accommodation.

“I think it’s important to stress the undersupply of tourism accommodation in Batemans Bay, which will be partly addressed by this development,” he said.

“It will be good for the town. It is in an appropriate location in relation to the waterway and town centre.”

Mr Grimwood, JRPP chairwoman Pam Allan and Alison McCabe made up the three members appointed by the State Government on the panel, while Eurobodalla Shire Council general manager Paul Anderson and Councillor Rob Pollock represented the shire on the panel.

Coastwatchers voice their concerns

Coastwatchers Association Inc raised their concerns in a submission against the tourism development proposal in December last year.

Committee member Jenny Edwards said their main concerns involved coastal protection, flooding and sea level rise.

“All coastal areas in Batemans Bay are very hazardous as far as sea level rises go,” she said.

The Coastwatchers’ submission said: “It is likely that within the next 50 years sea levels could be high enough to limit access to property and impact on local infrastructure”.

The developer suggested in his application that council could raise Wharf Road by half a metre to combat this.

“If they just raise the road, what happens to these houses?” Ms Edwards asked, pointing to the residences down the road.

Coastwatchers also submitted that the existing rock walls would not be adequate protection from sea level rise.

Ms Edwards said, when the waves broke against the rocks, sand and rocks underneath the rock wall were washed back out to sea.

However, the developer stated in its application that it was unlikely the development would be inundated because it was set well back from the water’s edge.