50-52/54 Phillip Street New Hotel/Residential Building Stage 1 Concept DA

10 May 2021
123 Macquarie Street Sydney

Mr Jim Betts
Secretary of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Submitted via the major projects web portal

Attention: Karl Fetterplace

Objection to SSDA 34196 50-52 Phillip Street New Hotel/Residential Building Stage 1 Concept DA

Dear Mr Betts
I am writing to object to the proposed development at 50-52 Phillip Street.

I live in an apartment at the west side of The Astor apartments on Macquarie Street Sydney. My apartment faces directly onto Phillip lane and the proposed site for the development. I have lived in this apartment for twenty years and I believe I fully understand the dynamics of this area of Sydney.

I have a number of objections to the proposal.
The developer is trying to build a forty eight story, multi-room hotel and apartment block that will need to be serviced by Phillip Lane, a small narrow laneway that is already incapable of dealing with its current level of traffic. The laneway currently services all of the office buildings facing Macquarie Street and Phillip Street, the only exit from the Wilson carpark, the rubbish collection for both streets, and all other through traffic.

I can tell you categorically that Phillip Lane is totally incapable of servicing the needs of the proposed hotel. It would highly impact the lives of current offices and residents. Increased noise and congestion will be a huge problem.

The second objection is that the proposed building is planned to rise up to 48 floors just 2.5 meters from my living room and bedroom. it will significantly impact on the already low level of light entering my apartment. I am more than happy to invite you into the apartment to enable you to judge for yourself.

Also, I have a genuine problem with the lack of privacy the proposed building will have on my life. I would be very distressed having hotel function rooms and bedrooms just two and one half meters away, looking into my apartment.

I am also very concerned by the proposal to dig down under Phillip Street to provide for the lack of parking in the proposed building. The fact that this suggestion means excavating to the foundations of our building greatly concerns me.

There is the key issue that this proposal suggests canter-levering the hotel out over the old Industrial Relations building in Phillip Street. I strongly object to any governing body allowing this to happen to one of Sydney's most important National Heritage Listed buildings. That to me is just an outrageous suggestion.

I ask you ensure that you protect the interests of local residents, office workers and indeed of all Sydneysiders by rejecting this proposal.

Yours sinerely
Jennifer Gray

A PDF file of my objection has been added.

JJ Carmody

Please refer attached

Please refer attached

Please refer attached.

Sensitive adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is desirable. The proposed development does not preserve or enhance the integrity of the National Heritage listed Governors Domain and Civic Precinct. The proposed tower is overwhelming in bulk and form. The advantages claimed - livening the district and attracting tourism can be achieved in other ways.

Please see attached letter listing my reasons for the objection. It is not suitable for the environment you are placing it in.

10 May 2021


FMA
Sydney


Mr Jim Betts
Secretary of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Submitted via the major projects web portal

Attention: Karl Fetterplace

Objection to SSDA 34196 50-52 Phillip Street New Hotel/Residential Building Stage 1 Concept DA

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the above proposal currently on public exhibition. I object to the proposal for the following reasons:

1. Heritage impacts on 50 Phillip Street
I am not opposed to the conservation and adaptive reuse of the former Public Works building at 50 Phillip Street but the way the proposed tower cantilevers over 50 Phillip Street is inappropriate and badly detracts from and diminishes its heritage significance. I urge the Department to refuse the application. If the Department is instead of a mind to approve the application I request it require the applicant to amend the design so that its tower does not overhang 50 Phillip Street.

Given the number of impacts and their seriousness I strongly urge the Department to refuse the application.
Thank you again for the opportunity to provide comments.

Yours sincerely
FMA
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/34196.

The scale of the project is incompatible with the heritage values of the location. The additional traffic in and around Philip Lane imposes difficulties on existing businesses and residences.
The National Heritage List recognises the Governors' Domain and Civic Precinct as deserving protection due to its "exceptional collection of historic buildings and open spaces". The proposed tower is completely different in scale and style to the buildings and spaces it encroaches upon. It is closer to these spaces and buildings than other nearby towers.
The support column penetrating the light well of a heritage building has a very significant impact on this building. The presence of a light well is significant as an example of passive lighting techniques used at the time. The column will excessively compromise this.
The proposed building crowds and clambers over the heritage building giving the appearance of devouring the old buildings and space. This does not respect the location and its recognised heritage values.
Additional traffic in Philip Lane will compromise already difficult pedestrian, delivery and trade access to residences and businesses that currently rely on it.
I request that the proposal be rejected.

Please refer attached.

as per attached.

as per attached.

as per attached.

Please see attached letter. The proposed development would significantly impact the heritage items in the area and would adversely change the character of the area for current residents. I strongly object to the project as proposed. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I object to the proposal for reasons outlined in the attachment.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment

Adverse impacts on the Heritage of the Astor:
This development will adversely impact on the urban context which reflect the prestige address and design of the Astor.
It will overshadow the original purpose and everlasting heritage nature of the surrounding buildings.
Added to this the height, concept and function of the building will erode the appreciation of the Astor as an early high rise design. I request the department refuse consent for the application.
It will dominate the skyline and is totally out of keeping with the surrounding heritage buildings.
Adverse impacts on residential amenity of the Astor apartments:
The rooftop amenity of the Astor will be overshadowed and be on full view of the apartments and thus privacy will be completely destroyed.
Adverse impacts on traffic flow:
Currently Phillip Lane is the only secondary safe ingress/egress for pedestrian access to the Astor. Deliveries to the Astor are only accessible via Phillip Lane. Currently it is a Kamikaze run for deliveries and pedestrian access. Any extra traffic on Phillip Lane would be a nightmare and severely increase the risk pedestrian and vehicular incidents. Any proposal for development in Phillip Street should have an embargo on vehicular and pedestrian access and if against common sense a hotel proposal is granted then all access should be from Phillip Street and not include egress and ingress from the current access from Phillip Street.
These objections are in absolute agreement with all the objections detailed and submitted by Alan Cadogan of Urbanac planning and urban design consultants, and Duncan Marshall heritage consultant.
I look forward to the rejection of the proposed 50-52 Phillip Street Hotel/Residential Building Stage 1 Concept DA

see attached letter

I object to the proposal because it despoils the sandstone environment of the Bridge St area.

as per attached.

In response to the State Significant Development at 50-52 Phillip Street New Hotel/Residential Building Stage 1 Concept DA; we have grave concerns for the development based on multiple factors not limited to those listed below:

Significantly reduce natural light into Phillip Lane and the pedestrian plaza
Detrimental increase in volume of vehicular movement to service the hotel, residents and guests alike in Phillip Lane
Likely vehicle and foot traffic congestion in Phillip Lane due to further narrowing of the already one directional thoroughfare
Adverse impacts on tenants with allocated parking with access only possible via Phillip Lane
Negatively impact any future development of our site; obstructing harbour and city views