North Curl Curl small businesses are making plans to relocate after authorities approved a development application to replace the local shopping strip last week.
The $11 million development at 142 – 146 Pitt Road, North Curl Curl was approved at the Land and Environment Court (LEC) on 12 December 2025. Originally, the developers, Balito 1 Pty Ltd, sought approval for the construction of a mixed used development with five ground-floor retail spaces and eight residential shop-top units and three ground-floor senior independent living units.
This was later changed to four ground-floor retail premises, and 11 senior independent livings units spread across three storeys. The development will also include a single-level basement carpark with 22 car spaces. The height of the building, one of the main concerns amongst residents responding to the development, will be 11.035m which is higher than the local planning height allowance of 8.5m.
Northern Beaches Council didn’t approve the DA within the required timeframe, so it was treated as a refusal and the developer appealed to the LEC – this is normal procedure. Prior to the hearing, Council and the developer worked out terms they both accepted on 1 December 2025. Therefore, the LEC approved the development as both parties agreed to the terms and conditions of the development, including the additional height.
“In response to concerns raised by Council and the community, the applicant has made several amendments to the proposal, which were publicly exhibited,” Your Northern Beaches Independent (YNBIT) Councillor for Curl Curl, Nicholas Beaugeard told Manly Observer.
“These changes are significant and include a reduction in the number of retail premises, amendment to seniors living units only, revised apartment layouts, increased setbacks and revised waste management.
“Council’s experts reviewed the amended plans and concluded the matters raised by Council in the proceedings have been resolved.”
The three blocks sold in June 2023 for $8,350,000 and the listing included nine ground floor shops, five first floor offices and four first floor residential units. There was a proposal from the community, led by Shane Arthurson, to purchase the properties to ‘ensure they didn’t fall into developer’s hands’, but they were unsuccessful in raising enough money.
“The shops provide a sense of community for people who live locally,” a concerned North Curl Curl resident who wished to remain anonymous told Manly Observer.
“It’s a place where you can not only meet for a coffee or a quick bite to eat, but you can run into friends and neighbours.
“The shops serve the local community – whether that’s picking up bread or milk, or grabbing dinner from the butcher or getting your hair cut.”
Is this goodbye to the local shops?
The current retailers are Bacino Espresso Curl Curl, Muchacha Mexican Kitchen, Stacey Claire Hair Artistry, Curl Curl Newsagency, The Curl Curl Butcher, Staple Bakery Curl Curl and Waggle House Pet Grooming.
“There’s nothing we can do about it,” Joe Maberley, owner of The Curl Curl Butcher, told us when we spoke to the shop owners prior to the decision from the LEC.
The sentiment across all the retailers was clear – no one knew what was happening, or when it was happening. Retailers said there had been no communication from the developer yet about what retail outlets they’d want once the development was finished. As a result, most of the retailers have started to make plans to relocate their businesses. Some retailers were already on month-to-month lease agreements, while others reported they still had one to two years on their tenancy agreements.
Balito Investments, the developer who bought the site and submitted the DA, was founded by local Grant Price two years ago, and the North Curl Curl shops is the company’s first acquisition. We have been unable to find contact details for them, and welcome contact from them. They have, however, posted on Linked In about the development.
“The $50 million high-end project is targeted towards the over-60s downsizer market, which is in very high demand on the Northern Beaches,” Mr Price said in a post to LinkedIn following the LEC decision.
“Buyers can choose from 11 single-level, extra-large two- and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 113sqm to 163sqm. The complex will be serviced by four exclusive shops on the ground floor, including an upmarket café, salon and spa.
“Local downsizer residents who do not want to leave the sought-after area have already expressed an interest in the units due to there being zero supply in Curl Curl, with this being the only apartment development in the tightly held Northern Beaches enclave.”
While residents and shop owners agreed the shopping strip needs a refresh, they argued the development should be mindful of its location.
“Any upgrade should be sensitive to the surrounding area and reflect the needs of the local community,” one North Curl Curl resident said.
“The proposed development is three storeys, which is taller than nearby buildings, and the larger retail spaces are unlikely to be affordable for small local businesses, such as butchers and hairdressers.”
Locals mentioned the developer hasn’t yet held any discussions with the community or current shop owners about what retailers would best serve the area. There is strong hope they will do so.
Catch up on local development news:
Hundreds of residents protest Narrabeen retirement development
