Mod 1 - Design Changes

I object to any modification or amendments regarding this development

I object to the modifications as the area cannot support an increased number of units hence more people and more cars

Submission on modifications requested to Project Application MP 09_0219 for Shepherds Bay Redevelopment

As a local resident I object to the project application for the following reasons:

The developer is seeking to modify the dwelling mix of units within stage one to meet the market demands of `smaller and more affordable units'. This is of great concern as the overall numbers of units will be higher, increasing the population of the complex. 1700 - 2000 units have been approved for the entire development, I am concerned that if the numbers of units are able to be increased for stage 1, the developer will continue to request an increase of units at each stage. I object to any increase in the number of units.

I am unsure how the developer has gauged the market demand as to my understanding sales have not started yet. In the long term residents will want to live in units that have adequate solar access, high amenity, spacious living areas, high quality features and access to communal green space. I do not think people really want to live in small and cheap accommodation - although that may be easy to sell, it will not build a quality community.

It has been proposed to significantly change the dwelling mix to increase one bedroom units and decrease 2 and 3 bedroom units. To build a quality community there needs to be a balance of families, couples and single people. I object to the large increase in number of one-bedroom units and the developer should honour the original approved number of dwellings and dwelling mix.

The developer has proposed changes to the ESD targets. This is 2014 and the development is taking place in an affluent area and they are designing a community starting from scratch. I see no reason why this development should not strive for worlds best practice when it comes to ESD targets. There is an opportunity to be world leaders when it comes to environmental sustainability.

The developer should be held account to achieve and go beyond ESD targets proposed originally. To ensure the best residential amenity and to achieve the lowest energy use, best use of water and waste reduction. The developer initially agreed to stretch targets and they should work towards achieving these targets. In addition the developer may consider initiatives such as roof top communal gardens, communal vegetable garden plots, compost, rainwater tanks and solar panels.

The provision of a large public open space was originally agreed to be completed with stage 1. The developer is seeking to defer this. I think that the developer should honour the original agreement and show that public open space is a priority for the overall development.

Reasons Objecting To MP09_0216 MOD1
1. Additional dwellings and storeys sought will give rise to further unwarranted over development and increased density
2. There will be further degredation of the environment, particularly noise and air.
3. Traffic congestion and traffic gridlock along Railway Road, Constitution Road (on the Meadowbank TAFE side), Belmore Street and Underdale Lane will get worse and at the same time spread to other Meadowbank streets, like Bay Drive, Parsonage Street and Wells Street.
4. Loss of 3000 square metres of continuous open spaces along Rothesay Avenue is unacceptable as they are highly desirable open spaces. It should be noted many locals and residents of nearby surburbs use the walkway along the Shepherds Bay for their walks, running, jogging, family outings and fitness exercises.
5. The primary reason behind the modification application is more profit at the expense and against the interest of the community.
6. Tthe application for additional dwellings and storeys in order to further secure more profits is not a good reason to change what has been approved. It is in fact an abuse of the process. Much time and energy has to be expanded by both the public bodies and the affected public every time a modification request application is received. It has also inconvenienced the public authorities as well as the affected public at large. A clear unmistakable message need to be communicated to the modification request applicants that an application for additional dwellings will not be considered once the dwelling numbers has been decided. We will then witness modification request applications will dramatically drop. The developer knows modification request applications will wear down the public in their protestations and objections.

Dear Sir/Madam,
We would like to oppose Meadowbank Foreshore Development plan MP09_0219 stages 1.
We have the following concerns:
1. Increasing the number of levels more than 7 in new developments will dramatically
change the overall view of the landscape in Meadowbank Foreshore and significantly
reduce property value.
2. Increasing the number of levels more than 7 in new developments will increase
population density and put extra load to road infrastructure - parking and traffic conditions
will become much worse and as a result significantly reduce property value.
3. Increase in population density creates overload to preschool and school
facility in local area which is already overloaded and preschool waiting time is more than 2 years.

I would like to submit my objections to both the Modification 1 to MP09_0216 - Concept Plan and 09_0219 MOD1- Project Application as Meadowbank is fast becoming a concrete jungle. If this kind of unabated development is allowed to go on, there will be no foreshore left to speak of.

Meadowbank is just a small suburb and yet developers are allowed to just build regardless of whether those structures really contribute to the overall well-being of the community. Right now, traffic has become so bad without the additional vehicles that will naturally come with the above developments.

I hope that we are able to retain as much of the village atmosphere of Meadowbank and that the foreshore will be protected from overdevelopment. We need a breathing space, a "green belt" so to speak because of the topography of this suburb.

I object for following reasons to the proposed development.
The congestion of to the flow of traffic through the area of development.
The height and number of levels is excessive and can't be compared to developments across the river in Rhodes where the developers had spent large sums cleaning the soil and therefore would require a larger payoff by sales.
The conditions of the development in the Shepherds Bay locality were more than generous for the developers to build high quality unit complex.
The location is a busy corner and the access is problematic.

I object

The development is excessive and is not in the local area's best interests. Meadowbank is a fantastic area but is now buckling under the weight of excessive development.
The roads are not able to cope with the traffic, particularly around Bowden St, Constitution Road and the train station.
The sheer size of this development is also massive and of a scale that will significantly change the population, the local environment and the identity of Meadowbank.
I object to any amendments to this already large development.
Sincerely
Richard Burton

I understand the modified proposal under consideration for Stages 1-5 includes up to 3360 parking spaces. I understand it also includes an extra 200-400 dwellings in addition to the 1700-2000 approved by PAC. This would be up to 2400 dwellings altogether (or an extra 100-200 dwellings for stages 1-5). This means about 1000 more parking spaces than dwellings are proposed. This seems unnecessary as the area has excellent public transport infrastructure with regular train, ferry and bus services to the city. Having so much extra parking will discourage residents from using public transport. It will also pollute the environment further due to emissions even if the parking spaces are underground. Over time the increased traffic in the area may also lead to a loss of open recreational space which local residents rely on. Parts of Meadowbank are already densely populated with unit blocks and families with children in particular need the open space.

I'm writing to object the project as this project may cause public hazzard especially traffic in Meadowbank area. At the moment traffic congestion is a serious issue during peak hour. I foresee this project will cause more issue in traffic, parking, and quality of living in this suburb.

I'm writing to object the project as this project may cause public hazzard especially traffic in Meadowbank area. At the moment traffic congestion is a serious issue during peak hour. I foresee this project will cause more issue in traffic, parking, and quality of living in this suburb.

I & other residents of 13-14 Bank Street Meadowbank continue to be very concerned about negative impacts on our local area from this very extensive development.

Until & if significant road & parking improvements are made, scaling back of the proposed developments is essential to prevent dangerous & frustrating traffic congestion in our local area.

The new developments will increase the number of cars on our roads at all hours & will impact not only Meadowbank residents but the many thousands of vehicles that travel through Meadowbank to get to their homes & workplaces & also to play sport in Meadowbank Park.
One 10 year resident of our block has already noticed massive increases in traffic volume during that time with particular difficulties even now exiting Bank
Street to the east.

The green space along Parramatta river is highly valued within our local community & hundreds of cyclists, parents, dog walkers, runners & others drive into Meadowbank to exercise. There is already a shortage of parking for them as well as train & ferry commuters. Any new developments must be medium sized if the quality of life for those purchasing the units & existing locals is to not be crippled by traffic chaos & parking difficulties.

To maintain this area's transport convenience, easy access to green space for exercise & family friendly environment any new developments must not only be medium sized but also include substantial visitor parking & green space, such as playgrounds, additional to what already exists.

The Meadowbank/Ryde area is simply not equipped to allow for such an astronomically large number of additional dwellings. Such a project would need to be scaled down considerably. Some of my concerns are as follows:

1. Height completely out of scale and character with the neighbourhood.
The proposed apartments will be an eye-sore. There must be an allowance for trees to try to disguise and blend the apartments into the surrounding area. The buildings must be a maximum of four stories so that they can better blend into the surrounding area with trees in and around them. With the exception of the newer apartment complexes, the area is a nice, quiet leafy area. This complex would not be in keeping with the leafy suburb feel if the buildings are far too high for trees to help blend and conceal.

2. Insufficient education facilities.
The local schools are already full to capacity and the installation of portables would limit the already minimal playground facilities.

3. Insufficient infrastructure.
It already takes extended periods of time to get through the area and across the bridge over the railway at Meadowbank in both the morning and afternoon, not to mention Victoria Road. The roads in the area have not been designed to take heavy traffic and there is already insufficient parking in the street, particularly around Meadowbank station and along streets with apartment blocks. There is already a major development at Shepherds Bay, however we have not seen any improvement in the infrastructure to cater for this development, much less for the proposed development.

4. Pedestrian safety.
Many people have bought into the area, particularly in quiet streets, so their children will be safe. Increased volume of traffic puts all pedestrians at risk. The increased noise and pollution is a risk factor to everyone.

5. Gross over-development of site.
There are already several apartment blocks in the area, and there simply has not been any provision to allow for such a large increase in population, which will all be condensed into this small area. This causes serious concern for all community infrastructure, including traffic conditions and congestion, childcare facilities, schools, parks and so forth.

The whole project needs to be scaled down considerably.

I strongly object to this modification and am amazed that this modification can even be submitted to the PAC wasting further public resources. This area cannot cope with the current population and the roads are already choked due to the surrounding developments at Rhodes, Top Ryde and Putney to name just a few. The local residents have petitioned against this devlopment once and this has now slipped in under the radar with people not understanding the PAC process. Furthermore there is no modelling on schools, no green areas no amenities for families or children.

see attached

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on the proposed modification to the Ryde/Meadowbank residential development.

My submission is attached as a PDF file. Please contact me via email ([email protected]) should you wish to contact me.

see attached

See attached

please refer to the attachment.