146 Arthur St, North Sydney - Build-to-Rent

Please find attached our submission on this development application

Please see submission attached

This submission is made on behalf of Freecity Property (Freecity). Please find the attached submission prepared by Corrs Chambers Westgarth and the supporting design analysis that has been prepared by Architectus. This submission is an objection to the proposed development. Please provide a detailed (itemised, comprehensive) response to this submission in the Response to Submissions Report with reference to updated Architectural Plans that implement the recommendations made by Freecity in the attached submission, dated 12.12.2024.

The high rise building blocks the light and view of the majority of neighbourhood.

Refer to the attachment submission, which includes a request to undertake view analysis from our unit.

I feel that the building is too high. It will create a skyline not in keeping with North Sydney. The current building is a third of the proposed height. If it was to match the Zurich building height that would be acceptable. This would allow for natural light to continue to filter for all buildings behind and allow for everyone to benefit from the view of the harbour. Going too high in North Sydney will change the character and give a feeling of the suburb. Low or lower rise is more in keeping.

The proposed height of a 46-storey new building is 155 meters, categorising it as neither low-rise nor mid-rise housing under the NSW Government's plan. Further, in considering that North Sydney currently possesses the least amount of open space, which would exacerbate the situation with the addition of 390 new residential apartments in this area.

To whom it may concern,

I am a resident at Aura Building, 168 Walker St, and I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed 46-storey build-to-rent development at 146 Arthur St. This development will drastically impact our community and my living conditions by overshadowing existing buildings, including mine, and significantly impacting our valued views towards the harbour and Opera house.

The sheer scale and density of the proposed building with 390 units and its towering height of 155 meters will not only obstruct the scenic views that residents of surrounding buildings currently enjoy but also contribute to a sense of over-development in an area already dense with high-rise structures.

Moreover, the proposed 66 car spaces are grossly inadequate for such a large number of units, which could lead to increased parking and traffic pressures in an area that is already experiencing congestion. This development will undeniably change the character of our neighbourhood and diminish the quality of life for its current residents.

Given the current stage of the project’s exhibition and the potential future impact, I urge the relevant authorities to reconsider the scale and implications of this development.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I object to the project simply on the grounds of the size of the towers that are being proposed. Granted there is a current 12 story building and this project proposes replacing it with a 46 story monster. The buildings around 146 Arthur street are not of this height scale with the exception of the development on top of Victoria cross station. I am not against development as long as the buildings are in line with the neighboring buildings. This one if allowed to go ahead with its current sizing will dwarf the surrounding buildings.
There is also the issue of the fact that I have just bought into the Aura building up the road and bought off the plans 2 and a half years ago. This development was not on the radar back then. A development of this size will hamper the "sweeping harbor and city views" that Aura sold me and thus diminish the value of my apartment.
The issue of traffic flow will I feel get worse also. Miller street has been reduced in lanes to cater for more Cafe style dining which I support. The result of doing this however is that more traffic now travels along Walker street. A development of this size will only make the current congestion worse as residents commute from their homes in this new development.
Regards, Henry Rolley

I am an Aura resident and the impact of 146 Walker Street and the largely contemporaneous 173-178 Walker Street proposed developments is devastating to our views, outlook and ambience. There has to be some reasonable limits to development, but they are not evident here, with the addition of two massive buildings and about 2,000 people within a few hundred meters. These developments are far too large, high and bulky and need significant scaling back

The increase in construction vehicles operating near local schools creates serious safety hazards for children, especially younger ones, during school hours. The potential for accidents is a considerable worry.
The addition of hundreds, if not thousands, of new residents from this development will exacerbate traffic congestion, likely leading to severe gridlock and complications for the community.

I am concern regarding the traffic congestion and air pollution. The rapid increase in population in the area will result in the shortage of recreational facilities to cater for the dense population. With removal of limited green areas and removal of trees and the increase in cars in the area will no doubt increase NO2 toxic gas which is detrimental to health. Commercial office building should stay as commercial.

This proposal replaces a 12 storey building with a 46 storey building, a massive increase which will be out of character with the surrounds. It involves a major and significant increase over surrounding building heights with no attempt at height transition whatsoever.

Solar access, residential amenity, view loss and other issues need to be considered individually and closely.

In addition the livability of the site which is only metres from Warringah Freeway needs to be analysed. I have serious doubts that livability is acceptable. Dust, air quality, heavy traffic, constant 24hr noise all need to be considered separately and together before building housing on this commercial site.

Major Traffic Issues

The adjacent road network is already under extreme pressure with constant traffic congestion and constant queuing at the major Walker/Berry intersection which is only 50 metres away.

- the site is on a major Freeway/Harbour Bridge access ramp, effectively Highway 1, with constant high traffic pressure
- construction vehicle access would be difficult
- future traffic pressure from current and future developments needs to be analysed including the 57 storey building at 110 Walker Street,
the 42 storey building over Victoria Cross Station, the 48 storey building at 100 Walker Street, the 26 storey building at 71 Walker Street,
the planning proposal for a 44 storey building at 157 Walker Street and the Western Harbour Tunnel impacts and on-ramp. Proper and detailed traffic analysis reports are needed including access and intersection modelling and performance.

Detailed View Analysis Required

There is a major view corridor to the west of the site resulting in view loss to hundreds of apartments including those on the Miller Street and Pacific Highway spines.

This is a perfect location for more development - it is within walking distance to new world class Metro station (which gets you into the CBD in 5 mins), the heavy rail station, the bus network, entertainment precincts, local schools and commercial real estate.
Sydney's housing crisis requires sensible development to increase housing supply to meet the demand - this is a great example of the sort of project that needs approval in order to do that.

The rental market in the lower north shore is particularly challenging at present, rents are exorbitantly high but the worst part is that demand so greatly exceeds supply, that inspections often have 50/60 people attending - leading to queues right around the block! A build-to-rent project like this is necessary to help resolve this.

Due to the need to increase housing supply and the ideal location of this development - I urge you to approve it! If we can't build in North Sydney then we can't build anywhere!