RECENT PROJECTS - Planning

Planning Submissions

Madame Tussards, Darling Harbour, NSW

Client: Merlin Entertainment Group

Madame Tussards is an internationally acclaimed tourist attraction initially established in London, UK, and which is one of that city’s most popular attractions.  Merlin is proposing to establish a new Tussards facility at Darling Harbour which will significantly add to Sydney’s appeal as a destination.  This SEE examined likely visitation numbers, infrastructure and facilities needs, and urban design aspects.

Carmona Drive, Forster, NSW

Client: Alceon Group

The Carmona Drive site is farmland near Cape Hawke which is in Booti Booti National Park.  EMM prepared rezoning and development applications to enable rural residential subdivision.  A broad range of issues were involved, primarily protection of scenic and ecological values, managing bushfire risks and economic provision of infrastructure services.  We also prepared a Voluntary Planning Agreement to transfer land to the national park following subdivision.

Serviced Apartments, Sydney 

Client: Oaks Group

Development applications were prepared for two apartment buildings in central Sydney seeking approval to change residential to serviced apartments.  The principal issues were measures to protect the amenity of both categories of occupants.  The applications were determined by the Land and Environment Court where we provided expert evidence.

Empire Hotel Redevelopment, Newcastle, NSW

Client: Hunter Development Corporation

The Empire Hotel is a local heritage item that has fallen into disrepair and become a location for anti-social activities.  It is located at the western gateway to Newcastle’s CBD and could play an important role in improving this key vantage point.  The SEE for this project examined options for the future use of the site, particularly restoration versus demolition and redevelopment.  The latter was found to be the preferred option and the accompanying application was subsequently approved by Newcastle City Council  

Huskisson Hotel Redevelopment

Client: DOMA Group

Huskisson is located on Jervis Bay, an iconic part of the NSW south coast.  The hotel is a scheduled heritage item and this, combined with the sensitive coastal location, necessitated careful project planning. Another key aspect was a project design that would be financially feasible. 

The redevelopment was deemed State Significant. Our services encompassed the full chain of the approvals process: pre-application consultation, an environmental assessment report, a Preferred Project Report following exhibition of the EA, representation at a Planning Assessment Commission hearing and various project modification applications. The project was approved and is now under construction.

McDonalds Restaurant, Penrith, NSW

Client: McDonalds

This application and Statement of Environmental Effects involved assessment of the normal range of issues associated with a new cafe/restaurant- land use compatibility, urban design, traffic, noise and public nuisance.  In this project a complicating factor was a concurrent subdivision requirement for the land.  Both applications were promptly assessed and approved by the local council, with the initial applications requiring minimal provision of supplementary information following exhibition and referral to various specialist technical authorities. 

International Development Assistance

Australia- Africa Partnership: Mining Scoping Study

Client: AusAID

Australia is increasing its development assistance program in Africa and one of the priority sectors is mining. EMM prepared the scoping study to assist AusAID in defining its program for the mining sector. The study evaluated the potential of the mining sector in eleven target countries, determined the most appropriate forms of development assistance and provided a template for systematic assessment of assistance requests from target country governments.

Business Development Plan for Quarry Industry in Tonga

Client: Asian Development Bank

This technical assistance project helped the government of Tonga with institutional and operational arrangements for the quarrying industry in the country. The project was a prelude to major infrastructure investments in Tonga by the World Bank and other donors, and provided the basis for cost effective supply of necessary construction materials. 

Workshop of Enhancing the Development Impacts of Extractive Industries 

Client: World Bank

EMM’s Paul Mitchell represented Australia at this international workshop held in Mozambique. He led discussion on the potential development contribution from mining investment using the experience of Ghana and Botswana as examples.

Advancing the EITI in the Mining Sector

Client: Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Secretariat.

EMM prepared two chapters of this publication on ‘The structure of the global mining sector’ and ‘Taxation and investment issues in mining’. In addition Paul Mitchell chaired the multi-stakeholder consultative group for the project and was an editor of the whole publication.