Mixed use development with in-fill affordable housing, 5-9 Gordon Avenue, Chatswood

Objection is raised

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed development at 5–9 Gordon Avenue, Chatswood. This project presents significant concerns that will negatively impact the local community, including:

1. Excessive Building Height and Overdevelopment
• The proposed 35-storey building is entirely out of scale with the surrounding area, where most buildings are less than 10 stories.
• It will cause overshadowing, loss of privacy, and significantly alter the neighborhood character.

2. Inadequate Infrastructure to Support Increased Density
• Roads, public transport, schools, and healthcare facilities in Chatswood are already under pressure.
• The additional population from this development will further strain local infrastructure without adequate provisions for expansion.

3. Traffic and Parking Concerns
• The proposed 121 parking spaces are insufficient to accommodate residents and visitors.
• This will lead to increased congestion and on-street parking overflow into surrounding residential areas.

4. Lack of On-Site Display Signage (Evidence Attached)
• As of 22/03/2025, there was no public display of the development proposal at the site entrance.
• This lack of transparency prevents the community from being properly informed and engaged.
• A photograph taken on this date is attached as evidence. If on-site signage is a requirement, this failure should be investigated.

5. Negative Impact on Neighborhood Character and Livability
• The density and scale of the project are incompatible with the existing community.
• Noise, overcrowding, and other disruptions will reduce residents’ quality of life.

6. Environmental and Aesthetic Concerns
• The high-rise structure will dominate the skyline and diminish the area’s visual appeal.
• The lack of sufficient green space and landscaping reduces environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

Given these concerns, this development should not proceed in its current form. It is urged that the Department:
1. Reject the proposal due to its incompatibility with the area.
2. Require significant modifications, including height reduction, improved parking provisions, and proper public consultation.

Thank you for considering this objection.

Concerned Resident

Dear Jasmine,

Re: Objection to Proposed Development at 5–9 Gordon Avenue, Chatswood
SSD Application Reference: SSD-74439970

I am writing to formally register my objection to the proposed development at 5–9 Gordon Avenue, Chatswood. I have several concerns with the proposal, particularly regarding the scale and context of the building in relation to the existing neighbourhood character and the transparency of the planning process.
1. Excessive Building Height
• The proposed development is significantly taller than the surrounding structures, with a planned 35-storey tower in an area where most existing buildings are less than 10 stories.
• This drastic difference in scale is out of keeping with the established streetscape and may result in overshadowing, loss of privacy, and reduced sunlight for neighbouring properties.
2. Strain on Local Infrastructure
• Chatswood is already experiencing considerable pressure on its roads, public transport, schools, and healthcare facilities.
• The anticipated increase in population density from this high-rise development will further exacerbate these challenges without adequate plans for infrastructure improvement.
3. Traffic Congestion and Insufficient Parking
• With only 121 car parking spaces provided, the proposal risks significant parking shortages.
• Increased traffic flow could lead to congestion in the surrounding residential areas, compounding safety and accessibility issues.
4. Lack of On-Site Display Signage
• There is no display of the development proposal at the front gate, which is crucial for ensuring that the community is fully informed of the project’s details and any associated conditions.
• This lack of transparency may undermine the community’s ability to provide informed feedback and could be in breach of the approved development conditions if on-site signage was mandated.
5. Impacts on Neighborhood Character and Amenity
• The proposed building’s height and scale will starkly contrast with the existing low-rise character of the area, undermining the community’s established identity.
• Noise, dust, and other disruptions during construction are additional concerns that will negatively affect the quality of life for local residents.
6. Concerns Regarding Affordable Housing
• I also oppose the inclusion of affordable housing units within this development, as their integration may alter the neighbourhood’s established residential character, particularly if rental or subsidized units become predominant.
• This change could affect property values and disrupt the current community dynamic.
7. Environmental and Aesthetic Considerations
• The introduction of a high-density, high-rise structure may contribute to the urban heat island effect and lead to a significant loss of green space.
• The visual impact of a building that towers over its surroundings cannot be understated and is likely to diminish the overall appeal of the area.

In summary, I respectfully request that the Department consider either refusing this application or requiring significant revisions to better align the development with the character and scale of Chatswood, as well as ensuring full transparency through proper on-site notification. A more context-sensitive approach, including adherence to local building height guidelines and improved community consultation, is necessary.

Thank you for your attention to these concerns. I look forward to your response and further engagement with the community regarding this proposal.

Yours sincerely,
Resident of Chatswood

Providing more infill affordable housing is fantastic, especially in such a highly desirable area, only 8 mins walk from the Metro and Sydney Trains station. More affordable housing is absolutely needed to so that is just one more reason I support this proposal. Overall, I fully support this proposal. Let's get it approved and built!

Submission attached.

Regarding Project SSD-74439970
This development submission is completely inappropriate. This area is low density residential. The majority of housing in this area are single and two storey houses or low rise apartments. This project proposes demolishing an existing 3 storey apartment block, complete with gardens and trees, and building a 35 storey tower block. The proposed block will be almost 12 times taller than the surrounding properties. As such it will be completely at odds with the entire area.

Gordon Street is a small side street that terminates on the Pacific Highway. Currently trying to gain access to the highway is extremely difficult. During peak hour times all roads in Chatswood, Willoughby and Lane Cove are currently completely gridlocked. Adding any more cars from Gordon Street, or any other roads in the area, will only make the situation more of a bottleneck.

Currently all infrastructure in the lower North Shore are stretched to breaking point. This includes Roads, Schools, Hospitals and parks.

These proposed high rise developments will quickly strip all of the trees, wildlife and birdlife from our city. This will only exacerbate climate change issues and turn our leafy suburbs into concrete canyons.
The attached photos identify the current dwelling at 5-9 Gordon Street and the surrounding area. As you can see, this submission is completely inappropriate for the suburb.

Tower blocks of the type proposed, in this and other submissions, will completely change the community. Trees and low density houses will be replaced with unsightly tower blocks. This will lower the surrounding property values and overshadow existing homes as well as placing huge burdens upon the local infrastructure in an area already at the limit. Please immediately dismiss this proposal and all others along the Pacific Highway corridor in Chatswood.