Forensic Pathology and Coroner's Court

Objection to the proposed development of the Forensic Pathology and Coroners Court, Main Avenue Lidcombe, 2141 DP: 1/850697

I am writing to raise my objection to the proposed development of the Forensic Pathology and Coroners Court (`the facility') on the corner of Main Avenue and Joseph St in Lidcombe, NSW 2141 (DP: 1/850697) based on the following points that I believe are key issues that need to be acknowledged and addressed both by NSW Health and the NSW Department of Justice, as they affect public safety in the local adjoining community (Botanica):

1. The 24/7 nature of a facility of this type bordering on a major residential area
2. Placement of the entry/exit to the public carpark of the facility in Main Avenue
3. Risking the safety of all Botanica residents
4. Disregard for heritage listing of Main Avenue.

Addressing each of these points in turn:

1. The 24/7 nature of a facility of this type bordering on a major residential area

The location of other coroner's courts around Australia, for example 65 Kavanagh Street, Southbank in Victoria and 302 King William Street, Adelaide in South Australia, are all in central city locations, not beside a major residential area of more than 700 families (Botanica) as is the case for the proposed NSW Coroners Court and Forensic Pathology facility. As one of the families in Botanica, I am extremely concerned not only by the nature of the proposed facility, but also its 24/7 operation that will potentially subject residents to:
* Unwanted media attention (for high profile cases) and emergency vehicles in our quiet suburban streets at any time of the day or night
* Any toxic chemical spills if Main Avenue is used for the delivery of chemicals for the mortuary and forensic pathology labs
* Disorientated, distressed families trying to navigate their way around Botanica trying to find how to gain entry or exit from the proposed public carpark in Main Avenue.

Not only distressed families, but also friends and relatives of a deceased person whose behaviour may be menacing or aggressive will be visiting the proposed facility 24/7. I have had personal experience of this type of behaviour from families of young criminals who physically assaulted my husband and who we were unfortunate to meet at their court appearance at the Bidura Children's Court in Glebe. These types of unsavoury characters have no place in a residential neighbourhood where their unsociable behaviour may pose a threat to all residents.

5. Placement of the entry/exit to the public carpark of the facility in Main Avenue

One of the most compelling and concerning issues with the proposed facility is the design of the entry /exit point from Main Avenue within Botanica, one of the two main entry and exit points for local residents.

This design is completely inappropriate because only south-bound visitors from Joseph Street will be able to enter into, and exit from, the proposed public carpark in Main Avenue. All other visitors will only be able to gain access to the proposed public carpark if they enter into Botanica Drive, the main entrance into the Botanica, from Joseph Street. While the development plans show that traffic should travel along Botanica Drive around Central Park into Main Avenue, a quick look at a map, or a GPS system, will quickly direct a driver down Betty Cuthbert Drive as the fastest route onto Main Avenue. Most people new to an area will be using some sort of navigational device and Betty Cuthbert Drive will take full brunt of this increase in traffic flow.

Betty Cuthbert Drive, like all other streets within the Botanica Estate, is a narrow residential street that has been designed for local traffic, not to catering for the increased traffic that such a significant government 24/7 facility will bring into the area. It is common practice for residents to park their cars on both sides of the road, narrowing our suburban streets even further. It is therefore clear that a public/entry via Main Avenue would be a huge compromise to road and therefore the safety of residents throughout Botanica.


2. Risking the safety of all Botanica residents

The Botanica Estate is a quiet and safe area for more than 700 families, with Central Park at the heart of the community - a park where young and old walk, cycle and enjoy their leisure time. Significantly, Botanica is also the temporary (for respite) and permanent home for people with spinal cord injuries (Ferguson Lodge is the only facility of its kind in NSW) who enjoy the freedom and ease of being able to move around Botanica in their wheelchairs. There is also a childcare facility very close to Ferguson Lodge.

Creating the public carpark entry and exit via Main Avenue will bring increased traffic to Botanica placing everyone at risk, and particularly the most vulnerable - the young, old and disabled within our community.

3. Disregard for heritage listing of Main Avenue

Botanica Estate has a rich history from its days of being a hospital when Rookwood Asylum was established in the late 19th century. When the current developers, Australand (now Frasers) created the Botanica Estate, they had to ensure they complied with and conserved those parts of the area that had been graded as being of historical significance. This included Main Avenue, which was officially graded in the 2002 Lidcombe Hospital Site Conservation Management Plan (CMP) by Godden MacKay Logan, as an element of exceptional significance.

The proposed development of the public carpark on Main Avenue will necessitate the demolition of historic brickwork, verges and plantings, which have been so carefully conserved by Australand to date. The Gatehouse at the Main Avenue entrance shows the historical main entrance into the hospital and is also heritage listed. With an increased traffic flow into Main Avenue, the whole historical integrity will be put at risk and expose the Gatehouse in particular to damage.


An Alternative Solution

While I understand the proposed facility is a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) and as such will most likely go ahead despite community opposition, I believe a compromise should be made to respect and safeguard the adjoining community of Botanica.

While I also understand NSW Health's and NSW Department of Justice's wish to protect the safety of their staff, funeral directors, police and other service workers who need to access the facility, by having a separate entrance to the public carpark from Main Avenue within a residential community, the safety of the public, i.e. our Botanica community, is then compromised in more ways than one, as I've previously discussed.

To reduce the impact of this proposed facility on our existing community and roadways, I would propose a separate entrance be created for the public carpark from Weeroona Road. While I acknowledge this is the proposed entry for the services carpark, it would be possible to create a separation between the two areas, securing one from the other. Considering the significance of the facility and its 24/7 operation, it would seem pertinent to have a permanently staffed gatehouse at the services entrance to increase security and safety for services staff.

I object to the proposed development as it stands and request a review as per my comments attached

Pls see attachment

Refer attached .pdf file.

Please find submission attached

I object to the pathology and coroners court on maim avenue, Botanica,Lidcombe

I would like to object to the planning for Main Avenue, Botanica Lidcombe

i would like to object to the Pathology and coroners court in main avenue, lidcombe

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Submission on New Forensic Laboratory and Coroner's Court

Lidcombe NSW 2141


Submission by:

Mr. K.Nandakoban
3 Palm Circuit
Lidcombe NSW 2141

18 August 2016








Proposed New Forensic Pathology Laboratory and Coroner's Court at Weeroona Road, , Lidcombe

1. Introduction

The NSW State Government is proposing to construct a new Forensic Pathology Laboratory and Coroner's Court at Weeroona Road, Lidcombe. This proposal has major impact on the quality of life, safety, security and property values of residents living in the new housing estate Botanica.

2. The Proposal

NSW Government proposes to construct a three story building comprising identification and waiting rooms, mortuary, laboratories, body transfer and back-of-house facilities, court rooms and Coroner's office in the NSW Government site bordering Joseph Street, Weeroona Road and Main Avenue.
The proposal is to use Main Avenue, Botanica as the public access to the new Forensic Pathology Laboratory and Coroners Court.

3. Location of New Facility

The proposed new facility is to be constructed in the land belonging to the NSW Government. The location for the new facility is in very close proximity to Main Avenue in Botanica and Palm Circuit, Lidcombe .The proposed location of the above facility will have major impact on the quality of life, safety, property values and well being of residents in Botanica.

4. Current Access to and from Botanica

There are three entry/exit points to/from Botanica. Of these two entry /exit points are to Joseph Street - one from Main Avenue and the other from Botanica Drive. The third entry/exit point is to Weeroona Road. Most of the residents use Main Avenue as the entry and exit point to Joseph Street.
The current volume of traffic is commensurate with the residential population in Botanica, with vehicles banking up in the morning and evening peak hours at the entry/exit points.

5. Traffic and Access to the New Facility

The proposed entry/exit for the public and staff to the new Facility is via Main Avenue. Vehicles travelling South can exit via Main Avenue. However, there is no provision for vehicles travelling north to exit via Main Avenue. The only exit from Botanica to those travelling north is via Botanica Drive.

Thus, according to the current plans put forward, all vehicles exiting from the proposed New Forensic Facility and travelling north will have to use the internal roads within Botanica. This would dramatically increase traffic movements within Botanica and compromise road safety. The road network within Botanica is designed to cater for local traffic on local narrow residential streets in the suburb.

By its very nature, the Coroner's Court will receive clients from across New South Wales. These visitors will be mainly relatives and friends of the deceased person whose death is being is being investigated by the Coroner. Many of these visitors will be distressed and there is concern that disorientated visitors to the Coroner's Court will be driving through the unfamiliar streets of Botanica Estate, causing higher volume of traffic resulting in increased noise, pollution and placing residents at risk.

Ferguson Lodge, is located within the Botanica Estate. It is the only supported accommodation for people with a spinal cord injury in NSW offering both a permanent home as well as respite accommodation. This development proposal will bring increased traffic to Botanica placing disabled residents at risk.

The Botanica Estate has been designed with a Central Park. It is a popular children's playground within easy walking distance of residents' homes. It is inappropriate to direct traffic to a high profile government facility through a peaceful ,residential housing estate.

In order to ensure the safety, well being, and quality of life residents living within Botanica, and to prevent any accidents, the entry and exit to the proposed new facility should not be through the internal road network within Botanica. An access road from the new facility connected to Weeroona Road or to Joseph Street, should be the designated access to reduce the impact of this development on existing residences and roadways.

Hence, for safety of residents in Botanica and to ensure that the quality of life of Botanica residents is not compromised, no provision should be made for entry and egress via Main Avenue to the proposed New Forensic Laboratory and Coroner's Court facility.

6. Heritage

This development proposal disregards the heritage value of Main Avenue, which was the formal entry c1896 to Lidcombe Hospital when Rookwood Asylum was established. It is graded in the 2002 Lidcombe Hospital Site Conservation Management Plan (CMP) by Godden Mackay Logan as an element of exceptional significance.

The avenue of hoop pines and phoenix palms along Main Avenue is also graded as an element of exceptional significance in the CMP. Construction of the proposed public entry/exit from Main Avenue, Botanica will require demolition of the historic brickwork and verges and interrupt the streetscape.

The Gatehouse at Botanica on the intersection of Main Avenue and Joseph Street is heritage listed. If Main Avenue becomes the access road for the public car park the intersection of Main Avenue and Joseph Street will become manifestly more dangerous and expose the Gatehouse to the risk of damage.

7. Safety and Security

Coronial inquiries are conducted mostly in cases where the cause of death is not due to natural causes. As such, in some cases, coronial inquests may be held in a highly charged environment..

The proposed new development t is unusual by its nature. Its hours of operation can be 24/7 and, in most cases, will involve distressed relatives, police, emergency services and media staff. This is a serious issue for Botanica residents who are concerned about the impact this will have on their residential amenity, property prices and quality of life.

There is also concern for the safety of residents of Botanica if Main Avenue is used as the main access. There will a significant increase in vehicular traffic due to staff, visitors, police, lawyers, family and friends of those involved in coronial inquests using Main Avenue to gain access to the facility.

Invariably, some of the inquests will relate to death not due to natural causes. In some cases, families and relatives attending the Coroners Court may be in a highly emotional state and these can create tension in the vicinity of a prime residential area, thus impacting on the safety, quality of life and well being of residents living in close proximity to the proposed facilities within Botanica.

8. Property values

The residents within Botanica comprise mainly of young and middle age families who are working hard to pay-off their mortgages, and retirees who have invested their life savings to purchase their homes to have a reasonably comfortable life style in their later stages of life. Locating the Forensic Laboratory and Coroner's Court which will include a morgue in close proximity to a new residential facility will have a dramatic impact on residents' quality of life and house prices of residences in close proximity to the proposed facility .

9. Current Plans

The drawings for the proposed development indicate that the main public entry/exit to and from the new Forensic Laboratory and Coroner's Court, which also includes a mortuary, will be at a distance of approximately 50 meters from the kerbside of houses located on Palm Circuit (Ref. Appendix B1 Architectural Plans.pdf).

The presence of a mortuary in close proximity to residential homes and the proposed entry and exit to the Coroners Court to/from Main Avenue will have an adverse impact on the quality of life (noise levels, vehicular traffic, safety, security etc.) of residents in close proximity to the facility. This is of great concern to residents living in Palm Circuit and adjacent streets.

10. Proposed Changes
The above adverse effects could be alleviated to a great degree by shifting the foot print of the proposed building facility further away from Main Avenue by at least 30m. Such a change may also require amendments to the parking plans. The parking area could be located adjacent to the fences bordering Main Avenue and would serve as a buffer between the Forensic Laboratory, mortuary etc. and residences on Palm Circuit.

11. Conclusion

1. As articulated in the above paragraphs, for safety of residents in Botanica and to ensure that the quality of life of Botanica residents is not compromised, no provision should be made for entry and egress via Main Avenue to the proposed New Forensic Laboratory and Coroners Court facility. Consideration should be given to the alternatives proposed in this submission.

2. The adverse impact on Botanica residents quality of life, property prices etc. due to the factors discussed in this submission could be alleviated to some extent by shifting the foot print of the proposed New Forensic Laboratory and Coroners Court facility further away from Main Avenue by at least 40m. The vacant space created by such a move could be utilised to meet the parking requirements that would be lost due to the proposed changes.


18/8/2016

How to make a submission
Online submissions can be made via gov http://majorprojects.planning.nsw..au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=7545

By post with a letter marked:

Attention: Director - Social and Other Infrastructure Assessments
Department of Planning and Environment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

How to make a submission
Online submissions can be made via http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=7545

Submissions must reach the Department by Friday 19 August 2016.

RE: Application No: SSD 7545

I am writing to you regarding the adjacent community of Botanica, Lidcombe. I started a petition in July 2016 in object to the proposed facility.

You will be aware that the proposed facility has its main entrance facing Main Avenue, which is part of Botanica estate, at Lidcombe, as well as its vehicular entry and exit to the public car park. There are clear obvious concerns around parking, traffic, etc however I want to urgently flag the existing heritage orders covering the site.

Specifically, Main Ave in Botanica is listed as a heritage significant road with NSW Dept. of Environment and Heritage, and was preserved intact when constructing Botanica, including the gatehouse, verges, brickwork around the roads (which are original) and flowerbeds. Constructing driveways into and out of Main Ave and having the main entrance to the proposed facility from Main Ave is totally at odds with the heritage significance of the road and the requirement and previous efforts to conserve it. Further, part of the area of the proposed facility is already subject to an existing masterplan - the Botanica Masterplan - which includes both sides of Main Avenue, including the grass area and brickwork - all the way to the chain wire fence.

We care for our heritage listed street and we urge you to build your vehicular entry and exit to the public car park on either Joseph Street or use your existing one on Weeroona Road, Lidcombe.

Further to our concern for our heritage listed street, we would also like to raise the below concerns that you may not be aware of.

We believe that the proposed changes to main avenue will:
- Increase parking problems, as people will park in Botanica's streets if the public entry to the court and morgue is from Main Avenue.
- Compromise the aesthetics of Main avenue, that is subject to a Heritage listing.
- Increase safety risk to our children and elderly residents within the estate.
- Lastly it will undervalue our homes in Botanica.

P.S We have gathered over 350 signatures, please see our petition:
https://www.change.org/p/save-our-street-handsoffourheritage

And see attached documents containing all the signatures and comments made by people who object to this proposed Forensic Pathology and Coroner's Court.

Regards,

Derick Lin