Creating an extraordinary

by Nikki Miles

"Back on Track" winning proposal for NAC's future by students at "Back to the future - NAC" competition (2021)

I bought my first block at NAC almost 2 decades ago as an investment in my family's future. I understood then there were various restrictions as to what one could do on non-urban land.

But, I did my research and learned that whilst there are restrictions, there are also many things that one CAN do on their non urban land at NAC. I'm so enthusiastic that I purchased a second block just last year. I see nothing but potential and my original intentions remain intact - I'm not motivated necessarily by financial profits, but in stewardship of the natural landscape and in the original 107 year old Burley-Griffin vision for the region.

Of course there are development options and I'm not naive to what those possibilities are but amongst them, I align myself with where Desim-Arch has picked up the baton from where the Burley Griffin legacy left off. I have an Environmental Science and Sustainable Development background and I have always viewed North Arm Cove as an incredible opportunity for Australia to showcase a world class living example of a sustainably developed community.  Australia's baby-boomer population being currently in a retirement cycle, I reasonably predicted there would be an exodus of sorts from Sydney and surrounds - retirees wanting a sea/tree change but also wanting to abandon an increasingly busy city lifestyle not too far away from friends, family and the grandchildren. A beautiful, coastal location geographically located close to major highways, services and cities, a flood-safe development zone and now just recently, a new International airport at Newcastle. Not to mention this years announcement celebrating Port Stephens as Australia's newest unsung coastal tourism destination. Like I said. I see nothing but potential.

We are living in an era of pretty ordinary, uninspired and uninspiring development plans being rolled out across the country. I travel around Australia and in every direction I look I see ordinariness. And I wonder why? Why are we, in the lucky country, unable to bring forward looking creativity and ambition with excellence to our community development? I think we can do ever so much better and, NAC, for me, is a fantastic opportunity for North Arm Cove to shine a light on housing in Australia and present a model for the world in excellence.

The dream I have for NAC has always been to combine the best of our knowledge in Sustainably developed communities with the historical legacy found in the original heritage plans; sympathetic to the aesthetics of the natural topography, waterways and wildlife. It is inevitable that development will come and my feet are firmly planted in the camp that aligns itself with what the rest of us might call the Australian dream.

My vision is to see discreet housing options nestled in amongst the hills and trees. I want to retain as much of the natural heritage as possible. Modern technology provides forward looking and sustainable water, power and sewerage and other service options. With 3-4000 property owners already invested, it's easy to see the benefits that appropriate development would bring. Services, a shopping precinct, medical centre and public transport. Families with children, employment opportunities and a safe and thriving coastal community is what I see for the future of North Arm Cove.