Residents of the Lake Macquarie suburb of Argenton have mobilised to oppose a controversial proposal that would see 300 apartments built above and around the local Argenton Hotel. The development, put forward by hospitality group Iris Capital, has been declared a state-significant project by the NSW government's Housing Delivery Authority, bypassing some local planning controls.
Community Rallies Against High-Density Plan
Local residents gathered on November 6 to form the Argenton Community Committee and unanimously agreed to fight the proposed development. Committee spokesman Stan Kiaos, who has called Argenton home since 1957, expressed strong concerns about the scale of the project. The proposed residential tower would stick out like a sore thumb in the suburban landscape, according to Mr Kiaos, who also highlighted infrastructure worries, particularly regarding traffic congestion on the already busy Lake Road.
The community's primary concern, however, revolves around the prospect of having potentially more than 1000 residents living directly above a hotel that trades until 3am. Mr Kiaos emphasised that while infrastructure issues were important, the main driver for opposition was the potential for increased antisocial behaviour and alcohol consumption affecting residents on low or fixed incomes.
Broader Development Context
The Argenton proposal forms part of a broader pattern of Iris Capital's hotel redevelopment projects across the region. The company has also seen its proposals for Hamilton's Sydney Junction Hotel (272 homes) and Belmont's Gunyah Hotel (192 homes) declared state-significant following HDA recommendations. Iris Capital boasts an extensive portfolio of hospitality venues throughout the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area, including Cams Wharf Tavern, Pedens Hotel Cessnock, and Edgeworth Tavern.
The northwestern suburbs of Lake Macquarie have been identified by the NSW government as major growth areas due to their proximity to the Newcastle-Central Coast railway line. This aligns with the Minns Labor government's late 2023 announcement of Transport Orientated Development planning controls, designed to accelerate high-density residential projects within 400 metres of 37 train stations across Sydney, the Central Coast, Illawarra, and lower Hunter regions.
Location Concerns and Alternative Suggestions
Mr Kiaos questioned the suitability of the Argenton location, noting that Cockle Creek train station sits 1.1 kilometres from the proposed development site. He suggested the 300-apartment project would be more appropriately situated at Cockle Creek or in Glendale, areas better equipped for high-density development under the government's own transport-oriented development framework.
Lake Macquarie currently features five TOD stations at Booragul, Cockle Creek, Cardiff, Morisset, and Teralba. The development proposal includes at least 3 percent of apartments set aside for affordable housing, though the HDA has recommended increasing this minimum to 5 percent.
Mr Kiaos expressed frustration with the decision-making process, stating his disappointment that those approving such developments don't have to live with the consequences. Despite multiple attempts to seek comment, Iris Capital did not respond to requests regarding the Argenton proposal or the community's concerns.
