Concept Proposal for Mixed Use with Affordable Housing – 45-53 Macleay Street, Potts Point

I object to this project and to the process by which it is being assessed. My reasons are outlined in the attached document.

I oppose this development and the process by which it is being assessed. My detailed response is attached.

I strongly oppose this project for several reasons:

1. Loss of affordable housing
The occupants of 80 affordable units will be displaced. There will be a token 9 affordable units, which will later be sold off.  This is offensive and completely against City of Sydney’s policy.

2. Loss of heritage
The Chimes is a significant building in a quiet residential part of Potts Point.  Replacing it with a huge modern building, much taller than the existing one, with shops and cafes, will destroy the character of the area

3. No consultation 
I live less than 150m away from the project, and was given no notice of the proposal.  This shows the developers have no interest in hearing the concerns of neighbours

4. Major disruption 
This project will cause massive disruption to the area for years, including significant noisy construction, traffic chaos and trucks on our quiet streets.

I strongly oppose this project for several reasons.

1. Loss of affordable housing
The occupants of 80 affordable units will be thrown out, replaced by big ugly expensive units. There will be a token 9 affordable units, which will later be sold off. This is offensive and completely against the City of Sydney’s policy.

2. Loss of heritage.
The Chimes is a significant building in a quiet residential part of Potts Point. Replacing it with a huge modern building, much taller than the existing one, with shops and cafes, will destroy the character of the area.

3. No consultation
I live less than 150m away from the project, and was given no notice of the proposal. This shows the developers have no interest in hearing the concerns of neighbours.

4. Major disruption
This project will cause massive disruption to the area for years, including significant noisy construction, traffic chaos and trucks on our quiet streets

Significant Loss of Affordable Housing
Loss of Heritage
Excessive height and bulk
Proposed retail outlets including cafes and outdoor eating areas
Construction and Excavation
Lack of Community Consultation

I refer to my written submission PDF entitled "Murray - Objection to Chimes redevelopment SSD-79316759".
I reside at 17 Wylde Street Potts Point, very near to the site of the proposed development. The submissions page has my old address which I have tried to change in the profile, but hasn't registered yet.

Attached is a submission to Application No SSD-79136759 outlining my objections to the concept proposal for 45-53 Macleay St Potts Point

There are multiple perspectives on this. As a long-term resident, it is disappointing to see the loss of more affordable apartments from the neighbourhood. However, the reality is that the area has long since become unaffordable. Nor should we settle for seeing that only small, old apartments can be affordable.

As a compromise to preserve density in the area, I suggest the following:

- That the developer be permitted to further increase the height of the building. Doubling the height of the building would preserve the density of Potts Point, bring more people to the area and provide more shade during the summer.
- That the off-street parking be removed. Potts Point has plenty of parking options, and is centrally located with a lot of public transport options.
- Retain the retail and coffee shops. This will further enhance the vibrancy and livelihood of the area.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I live in Harbour View, 6 Macleay Street, Potts Point and absolutely object to the proposed height, bulk and scale of the 'NEWLY' proposed development SSD -79316759, known as ‘Chimes’: 43-53 Macleay Street, Potts Point.



Where do I begin:

1. The ‘new’ proposed scale of the redevelopment of Chimes. I understand that the developer is now trying to use the 'affordable housing' line of reasoning to further increase the height of the proposed development to 13 stories, which to me is just the developer taking advantage of this 'loophole' to increase the scale, value and return on investment to themselves.

2. From my understanding this is a 30% increase height increase in exchange for 15% of social housing for a short period of time

3. I have lived here for 20+ years; I feel safe, secure and enjoy the peace from my surrounds.

4. In the past developers (such as Winten, Mirvac & recently Fortis) have constructed quality apartment developments in Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay that have been both attractive and of an appropriate height and scale. The overall height and mass increase shown in the Urbis report’s own Visual Assessment/ Photomontage is completely at odds with the statement that ‘the concept envelope is highly compatible with the existing visual context.’ (Executive Summary). This proposal will absolutely impair the perspective of Macleay Street when approaching from Wylde Street, as well as the amenity of the leafy boulevard itself.

5. While I do not know the developer, they obviously had no interest in providing ‘affordable housing’ originally, they're now apparently very happy to do so because of the financial benefits. It has been suggested that 'greed' could well be their motivation rather than any altruistic considerations in relation to providing affordable housing.

6. Views: While I personally do not have views overlooking the Opera House or Bridge, I do have a peaceful garden outlook into the street. However, those in 12 Macleay (Macleay Regis), 14 Macleay (Pomeroy) and even 16 Macleay Street (Selsdon), will be impacted by this proposal

7. Shadowing: with the proposal taking in the current gap between Chimes & 55 Macleay Street (The White House currently Macleay Holiday Lodge Hotel) will impact the entire section of Macleay Street from Challis Avenue to McDonald Street

8. Noise & Privacy: the proposed restaurant (proposed outdoor dining), patrons, deliveries and rubbish collection will greatly affect the serenity of this section of Potts Point, the residential end of Macleay Street before it becomes Wylde Street. The additional lighting from the proposed commercial venues will change the ambience of the adjoining apartments

9. Traffic: I do not see any reports regarding the additional traffic created by these proposed restaurants, additional parking provisions.

10. Wind Tunnel: we only need to move up Macleay Street (from Rockwall Crescent to Manning Street) and note the wind tunnel created by both sides of the street with towering buildings. Currently this section of the street is free from this tunnel, increasing the footprint and height of the proposal will inadvertently replicate this tunnel


While it is clear that the developer is trying to maximize their return (that is, make as much money as possible) from this development, they should NOT be allowed to do so at the expense and to the detriment of existing residents, whose quality of life will be severely impacted. It is simple greed.

Thank you for taking the time to read & take into consideration.

This proposal goes against the government's stated goals for its policies. There should be no bonus or approval for developments that purport to 'increase affordable housing' by taking away more housing than they supply. This is simple economics, and simple mathematics.

Surely the government's intended policy was to produce more housing than was originally in the location? Because this trend is an epidemic - take an older building in a very very VERY expensive area, knock it down, remove half the supply, and put back apartments that will cost $20,000,000 each.

That CANNOT POSSIBLY be the stated goal of the NSW government. If it is, I would like it to be publicly declared as such, because I tire of these fights and this charade.

To Whom It May Concern:

Re: development proposal SSD- 79316759, 43-45 Macleay Street, Potts Point . NSW 2011

I am a resident of 6 Macleay Street, Potts point, which is located across the road from the CHIMES development.
The new proposal will severely impact living environment for the worse.

The New proposed development will create –
- More noise from the extra units, restaurants / cafes
- More noise from the service vehicles
- More noise from the extra people in the area

There will be a big effect from shadowing of the building (making the area dark during the day)
This will affect multiple buildings on Macleay Street. This will hurt the mature trees located on macleay street.

The taller / bigger building will create a wind tunnel effect, as it does by the tall building further up the road

The taller building with increase the noise reverberation between the opposing buildings, making it hard for residence to live / sleep in the area, as Macleay Street is a busy road.

There will be an increase in traffic to the area, and the street parking will be harder than it already is.

I believe the 3 extra floors (50 metre ) height difference, is purely a way for the developers to increase their revenue.
The bid for affordable housing was never on the original proposal. So more for profit

Please consider my issues with the development proposal, it will have huge consequences to the surrounding residence..

Kind regards
Ben Dunster

I strongly object to the development of the Chimes. The lack of affordable housing proposed is appalling. Furthermore the proposed height and scale of the development will significantly impact the natural light available to neighbouring buildings.

The proposed project diminishes the number of dwellings in the area, especially mixed dwellings. There are too few affordable dwellings in the project and reselling the small number proposed privately after 15 years does nothing to solve the present housing crisis; it rather exacerbates it by increased sale prices. It is a scandal that there was little or no community consultation.

Please see attached submission

I own an apartment at 6/10c Challis Avenue Potts Point which faces McDonald Lane and I am on the ground floor which currently gets nice but limited natural light & I note that a significant change has been proposed to the mass of the building towards McDonald Lane and no assessment has been conducted on what impact this might have on my apartment & the building which it is located in being 10C Challis Avenue which backs on to McDonald Lane. This appears in my opinion to be a significant oversight by the applicant and should be conducted before a decision can be made.

I am concerned about the significant reduction in affordable housing caused by this proposal.
The existing building comprises 80 studio apartments, each of 38m2. The proposal replaces these with 34 apartments, most of which are large luxury three bedroom units. There are only four one-bedroom units proposed in the affordable housing section of the new building, along with five larger units. So the 80 is being replaced by four (or maybe 9 depending on you count it). This means a loss of 76 affordable studios. I would support the development if there were a significantly larger number of studios or one bedroom units included in the proposal.

There has been a recent trend in the area of proposals to replace blocks of small affordable units with blocks of larger, high-end apartments, thus reducing the total number of dwellings. Each proposal taken on its own is possibly defendable; however, multiple proposals such as this would result is too much reduction in small affordable accommodation and erosion of housing diversity in an area that is attractive and well known because of that diversity.

Please see attached documents.

Sydney needs small cheaper apartments. Here we have an example of creating luxury apartment by demolishing small affordable apartments. That is shameful in a "Housing Crisis". Keep the 80 studio apartment Housing that maybe housing 100 people.
Building 25 large apartments, with 9 "affordable" - 34 homes in total may house 50 people some of the time - luxury apartments are notoriously keep vacant and give nothing back to the community. That is putting 50 people out on the streets.
It is horrifying that the 9 affordable apartments will only be available for 15 years. For this small concession, the developer can go as 50.05 metres.
What does the public get? 50plus more needy people requiring housing urgently. And the vacant lot, dust and noise from construction, a large building blocking light and views. More "Air B&B"?
This so called "development" should not go ahead.

This submission is to register an objection to the proposal of a ‘fast track’ development application which has been made to the NSW Department of Planning for the demolition of 80 (relatively) affordable studio and one bedroom apartments at 45-53 Macleay Street at the “Chimes” Building on the following grounds.

Inconsistent with City of Sydney and NSW Statement Government Planning Policies: This application is at odds with the City of Sydney Council’s Planning Proposal - Dwelling Retention which is aimed at maintaining housing diversity and affordability by limiting the reduction of dwellings during redevelopment. Specifically, this Planning Proposal by the City of Sydney Council aims to cap the loss of apartments to no more than 15% to prevent the replacement of smaller units with fewer, larger ones. Furthermore, this application is at odds with NSW Statement Government planning policy which has new planning controls to boost the development of diverse low and mid-rise housing types.

Loss of affordable housing model for NSW: In a period of significant housing affordability issues where the NSW Statement Government is looking for designs and guidelines to support the construction of more housing, the Potts Point area is a model for low to medium rise density done sustainably, aesthetically and which meets community needs.

Reduction in affordable housing: This development proposal is at odds with the stated objectives of the NSW Government and City of Sydney policy to promote and increase affordable housing. A net loss of 45 dwellings represents a 60% loss of affordable housing. This reduction of housing is compounded by loss of other affordable housing in the area at 11A and 13A Wylde Street and 51-57 Bayswater Road.

Loss of heritage: The Chimes Building is an example of modernist architecture which reflects the HCA of Potts Point and surrounding areas. This is reflected in an independent heritage assessment report provided to the City of Sydney in December 2024 which found that the demolition of Chimes will be detrimental to the heritage of the Potts Point HCA and that this building should be retained.

Demolition of the Chimes will further be detrimental to the character of the local area which is being diminished following approvals such as the demolition of 11A and 13A Wylde Street.

Lack of community consultation: Only three weeks have been given to consider this development application which is not sufficient or meaningful for residents or the public to consider the impacts of this proposal.