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An 86-room boarding house complex has been approved in Dee Why after a seven-year planning process and community objections.

Seven-Year Battle Ends in Approval

A long-delayed development application for a boarding house in Dee Why has received approval, clearing the way for an 86-room complex to be built on three consolidated lots between Pittwater and May roads. The approval comes after a court ruling allowed modifications to a previously approved $11.5 million application.

From Rejection to Revision

The original proposal by Supertramp Pty Ltd, lodged in 2018, sought to build 122 rooms. NBC rejected the plan, citing concerns over excessive bulk and scale, deeming it inconsistent with the surrounding area of single-family homes and townhouses.

In 2020, the NSW Land and Environment Court approved a revised version of the project with 80 rooms. A subsequent modification was later granted, allowing an additional six units and bringing the total to 86 rooms.

Dee Why development — *Photo Credit: DA2018/1166*

Project Scope and Developer Background

The complex will consist of five separate buildings ranging from two to four storeys, accommodating approximately 170 lodgers. Each room will include a kitchenette and ensuite bathroom, and lived-in manager units will be included in each block.

The site has already been cleared, and 39 parking spaces are planned along with common areas. Supertramp Pty Ltd, also responsible for the nearby Kallista apartment building, lists local developer Brett Sandvoss as a director.

Dee Why development application — *Photo Credit: DA2018/1166*

Community Concerns Remain

Residents have expressed ongoing concerns about traffic congestion, privacy, and noise. Locals noted the site’s position on May Road, a popular shortcut between Pittwater and Warringah roads, as a pressure point for traffic flow.

Submissions to NBC warned of increased parking difficulties and overshadowing of neighbouring homes. Some residents questioned the development’s suitability in a residential setting and the limited supporting infrastructure in the area.

Dee Why housing plans — *Photo Credit: DA2018/1166*

Public Commentary Online

Reactions online were divided. Some users saw the boarding house as a needed response to homelessness and housing affordability, especially for older Australians and people with disabilities. Others criticised the project’s design and location, calling it profit-driven and lacking in community benefit. Concerns about traffic and urban density were also commonly raised.

Next Steps

With approvals finalised, construction is expected to proceed in line with court rulings. The developer has not publicly responded to recent inquiries.

Published 13-Apr-2025

Did you know that a nine-storey boarding house development would soon rise on Pittwater Road? The approved plans include a retail shop and three commercial tenancies but no car parking space will be provided on-site.

Approved in early June 2022, the planned $4.3-million mixed development is located at 882A Pittwater Rd, Dee Why. The nine-storey building will contain 19 boarding rooms (including three accessible rooms), a cafe, three commercial suites (one each on the ground, first and second floor), a communal living room and a manager’s room/ office. The development will not provide any car parking spaces.

Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council / northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

The development application, however, attracted 29 submissions during its public exhibition with several concerns raised including the lack of car parking. According to the assessment report, the proposed site has been “isolated” by all the developments around it, making the project difficult to develop in a conventional way, such as providing basement car parking.

It did note, however, that the proposed “car-free” development includes a provision of cycling parking and “excellent public transport connectivity.”

Artist’s impression of the proposed building (in yellow) — Artist’s impression of the proposed (yellow) boarding house building | Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council / northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

On concerns regarding the loss of view and intrusion of privacy, the report said that “assessment has found the proposal to have an acceptable impact, considering the context which is that of a dense town centre environment, subject to conditions to address amenity issues,” and thus does not warrant the refusal of the application.

The assessment report added that the use of the proposed building as a boarding house is allowed under the WLEP 2011 and that “it would be ultra vires for Council” to refuse the application based on the land use alone.

Tag: boarding house

86-Room Boarding House Approved in Dee Why