MidCoast Council, Media Release, 25 May 2026
Council has now lodged its submission with the Department of Planning on the State Significant Development application for a proposed residential flat building development at Sanderling Avenue, Hawks Nest.
The proposal involves the construction of three residential flat buildings up to four storeys, strata subdivision, and upgrades to the golf club parking area.
Source: Architectural plans, NSW Planning Portal.
As this is a State Significant Development, Council is not the consent authority. The application is being assessed through the NSW planning system, and public submissions close on 28 May 2026.
Council’s submission does not support the proposal in its current form.
Council has raised concerns that the scale and form of the development may not appropriately respond to the existing and intended character of Hawks Nest. The submission also raises questions about whether the proposal will deliver the intended long-term housing outcomes for the area, particularly given Hawks Nest’s strong visitor economy and seasonal population profile.
Council’s submission identifies that significant further work is required to demonstrate that the proposal can appropriately manage site, environmental and infrastructure impacts. Key matters raised include:
- stormwater management and water quality
- biodiversity impacts
- traffic, access and parking
- social infrastructure needs
- potential land contamination
Council’s position is that the proposal should not proceed unless these issues are satisfactorily addressed and the development can be shown to deliver an appropriate planning, environmental and community outcome for Hawks Nest.
Community members can still view the application and make their own submission through the NSW Planning Portal before the exhibition period closes.
To view the application and have your say, you will need to access the NSW Planning Portal here: Sanderling Avenue Residential Flat Buildings | Planning Portal – Department of Planning and Environment.
The development is extraordinarily close to the sand dunes complex of the Hawks Nest beach, literally.
How can a Sydney styled development intrude into this ecosystem
There are dingoes that roam these dunes
The dunes have an ecosystem in themselves
Plonking strata units literally on the edge of this ecosystem is extraordinary
The ALP left wing Lean group silent, Greens silent eco groups silent
This reeks of hyprocacy by the left.
It is the middle of the road folk who are expressing concern on the lack of good environmental planning
Go figure.