Arguments for and against plans for new hotel at Cronulla

Opponents are concerned about overshadowing and the building height and floor space ratio being well in excess of LEP limits.

The community appears to as equally divided as Sutherland Shire councillors on the proposal, judging by the many comments on the Leader Facebook page.

Labor councillors had the numbers narrowly at last week's meeting to stop the Planning Proposal for a rezoning being sent to the Department of Planning and Environment for a Gateway determination.

They said Mr Sammut's belated move to lop two floors off the proposed 13-storey (50 metres) height of the building could not be considered without advice from staff.

Liberal councillor Kent Johns warned Mr Sammut could still pursue the Planning Proposal to rezone the site without council support.

Cr Johns said the council had lost two previous court battles with Sammut Developments.

"We lost a couple of hundred thousand dollars and he won an architectural award and got to develop what he wanted to develop anyway," he said.

Cr Johns said the brick pit development was another example of what could happen. In that case, the council rejected a much smaller development only for a new owner to gain approval for the present buildings.

Cr Johns said it was better for the council to be part of the decision making process and work collaboratively with the developer.

Labor councillor Michael Forshaw said the council had to defend the 2015 local environmental plan (LEP).

"I understand it took three years to put the LEP together, there was a lot of debate and it was eventually adopted with the heights set out," he said.

"This site has a maximum height is 25 metres and floor space ratio (FSR) of 2:1.

"Now it is said we should throw that out."

Cr Forshaw said Mr Sammut "has done some great developments over the years", but the council's job was not to "wave through" applications.

"Monro Park is open, has lots of sunlight with no high buildings around it," he said.

"The building around it or in the mall are no more than four storeys.

"You can build commercial space on this site, you can put co-working space and hotel accommodation there, but it has to be within the LEP and, if any Planning Proposal to change that comes before this council it should gave some credibility and reference to the LEP - not say throw out the LEP."

Cr Carol Provan, who led the Liberals' move to send the proposal to Gateway, said it was "a unique opportunity to activate the southern end of Cronulla mall".

"It is consistent with the strategic direction of council and the southern district plan in regard to tourism and employment opportunity," she said.

"It is commercial and hotel development and I prefer this over residential in this area.

"The final detail won't be worked out until Gateway when there will be community consultation.

"Monro Park is a drug dealing area at night and this proposal, I have heard, is supported by the police as there would be more lighting and security.

"I think this development is only going to encourage more activation in the park - it will bring the park more to the public, rather than just residents.

"At present, it is a transient zone - no one stays in that area, it is pretty much a walkway."

Cr Provan said the project would also provide a widened walkway from the station to the beach, without obstruction caused by the existing cafes' outdoor tables and book sale stands.

Mr Sammut told the council meeting it was a unique site that his company bought last year when it went on the market.

"We went to council and council staff and asked them what they would like to see on the site and it was clearly noted they would like to see something other than residential," he said.

"Having acknowledged this would require an uplift, they wanted to encourage tourism, they wanted to activate the site and they acknowledged it was a gateway site.

"So with great expense we developed the Planning Proposal to this stage."

Mr Sammut then tabled his amended proposal to reduce the height from from 50 metres to 44.4 metres, which would reduce overshadowing of the park.

"What we are asking is to allow this to go to Gateway. If we do this, we can have proper public consultation. Without that we don't know what the public does think.

"From what I have heard and what I have been told, it is widely supported out there.

"It will encourage activation of this southern end of the mall which is definitely in need of revitalisation."

President of North Cronulla Precinct Kerry Coomes said it was "an outrageous increase in the height limit" for the site.

Ms Coomes said the developer knew the zoning when the site was purchased.

"This development will overshadow the beautiful, sunny Monro Park which is used regularly by all members of the community from mothers' groups to the elderly, because it is in such a wonderful sunny position," she said.

Ms Coomes said other concerns included overshadowing of the War Memorial and neighbouring units, noise from an open bar, "ruining" the entrance to Cronulla's main street and mall by creating a canyon and increased parking problems.

Cronulla Chamber of Commerce president Dean Bowen said Sammut Developments had a track record of good developments in Cronulla and the project would activate the southern end of the mall.

Mr Bowen said there were "some great synergies" between existing businesses and the development.

He highlighted the benefits of co-working spaces.

"As a Gen Y business owner, I can tell you these days everyone wants to go out and start their own business," he said.

"A co-working space will allow many people like myself to take that leap of faith and start a business and work in with other like minded people.

"This is a very rare opportunity - a developer with a proven track record in Cronulla who is trying to partner with council and has been proactive in working with council."