Bayside Council has objected to the current concept for the Cooks Cove redevelopment in Arncliffe as the major proposal moves through the NSW Government assessment process.
The proposal is significant for Bayside because it covers a large site beside the Cooks River and could introduce substantial new employment and infrastructure uses close to Arncliffe, Sydney Airport and existing residential areas.
What is proposed
The NSW Planning Portal lists the Kogarah Golf Club Redevelopment Concept and Stage 1 Works as a State Significant Development. The concept allows for five development blocks up to 70 metres high and a range of possible uses.
A large data centre has been identified as one potential use within the precinct. The wider Cooks Cove planning framework also includes logistics and employment uses, new public open space and walking and cycling connections.
Why Council has objected
Bayside Council has raised concerns about the current concept, including environmental impacts, traffic and liveability. Public submissions have also raised issues including energy and water demand, noise, traffic, the Cooks River environment, development scale and the amount of public open space.
Those objections do not themselves decide whether the project proceeds. They form part of the material considered during the State Significant Development assessment.
Where the proposal stands
The project has been at the Response to Submissions stage, where the proponent responds to issues raised by agencies, Council and the community.
Bayside Council has separately been reviewing planning controls for the broader precinct, including controls relating to logistics, warehousing and public open space.
No final approval yet
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure is the consent authority for the State Significant Development. The proposal has not been finally approved.
That distinction is important because the concept, possible data centre and other uses remain subject to the planning process. Bayside News will update the story when the NSW assessment reaches a new formal stage rather than presenting proposed elements as settled development.