Mod 4 - Extend construction hours

I object to the amendment
Sleep
You cannot deny me and my family sleep. Trucks will sit idling out front of our house from 6 am.
Further, those same trucks will attempt to make three-point turns at the intersection of Little Darling Point Rd and Darling Point Rd at 6 am in the morning and all of Saturday.

Respite from Construction
Construction cycle times should not be increased at the cost of social and family cohesion. That sacrifice is too great if construction is to take place over the entire of Saturday.

We object to the proposed extension of construction hours, particularly the proposed weekday start time of 6:00am, the proposed Saturday start time of 7:00am, and the extension of Saturday works from 1:00pm to 6:00pm.

We live in a residential apartment immediately adjacent to the site and already experience significant impacts from ongoing construction activity. One of us works from home and has had to adopt measures such as noise-cancelling headphones to manage the existing noise environment.

The current Saturday 8:00am start already affects our ability to rest and recover on weekends. Extending Saturday works to 7:00am–6:00pm would further reduce the limited respite currently available to nearby residents, effectively leaving Sunday as the only reliable day free from construction activity. The proposed 6:00am weekday start is also particularly concerning, as it would allow construction activity to begin during a period when many residents are still sleeping.

Both occupants of our household are neurodivergent and have sensory processing differences. For neurodivergent residents, home is a predictable and familiar environment that supports rest, regulation and recovery. While it might be assumed that residents can simply leave home to avoid construction noise, for neurodivergent people that can reduce one source of stress while intensifying others, including sensory overload, disruption to routine, the effort involved in constant transitions, and loss of access to familiar ways of regulating.

The impact of ongoing disruption is cumulative rather than isolated. Reduced opportunities for rest, recovery and regulation affect not only our wellbeing, but also our ability to work productively from home and to peacefully enjoy our home.

Even where works are not classified as "high-noise" activities, they are not noise-neutral. The applicant's own material refers to truck movements, crane lifting, personnel hoist use and other low-noise activities during the extended morning period. Those activities remain audible and disruptive from our apartment, particularly in the early morning when background noise is lower and residents are sleeping.

We understand that occasional out-of-hours works may sometimes be unavoidable. However, this proposal appears to seek a regular extension of construction hours across weekdays and Saturdays rather than occasional flexibility for specific activities.

The applicant's material states that the proposed extension is intended to achieve a construction program saving of approximately one to three months within an overall construction period of approximately three years. While we appreciate the desire to improve construction efficiency, we do not consider that benefit sufficient to justify the ongoing loss of weekday morning and Saturday respite for nearby residents over the life of the project.In proportional terms, the proposal appears to increase permitted weekly construction hours by approximately 18%, while the maximum claimed program saving is only approximately 8% of the overall construction period. The applicant's own figures therefore suggest that the substantial increase in construction hours would not translate into a commensurate reduction in the overall construction program. In our view, that cost-benefit trade-off is not proportionate for nearby residents.

For these reasons, we ask that the proposed extension of construction hours not be approved.

Reject longer working hours

Re: SSD-77608714-Mod-4 – One Darling Point
I am writing to object to the proposed extension of construction hours at One Darling Point.
I have lived in the local area for almost 25 years and am now retired. I am also Chairperson of the owners corporation (SP 11580) of 168 New South Head Road.
Having lived here for so long, I accept that construction and change are part of life in the area. However, I believe the hours being requested go beyond what nearby residents should reasonably be expected to tolerate.
Starting construction at 6am on weekdays would be very disruptive. In reality, the noise would not only come from building work itself. It would also include workers arriving, vehicles entering the site, deliveries, reversing alarms, gates opening and machinery being prepared. At that time of the morning, many residents are still asleep.
The proposed Saturday hours are also excessive. Changing the current hours from 8am–1pm to 7am–6pm would take away almost the entire day. Saturday afternoon is one of the few times local residents can expect some relief from construction noise. Allowing rock hammering, rock breaking and piling during that period would make the impact much worse.
The neighbourhood is already dealing with several sources of disruption. There is construction at the Ranelagh Apartments, ongoing work around Ascham School, roadworks on New South Head Road and regular aircraft noise starting at 6am. The combined effect is significant, particularly for people who spend much of their time at home.
As a retired resident, my home is where I spend most of my day. The proposal would affect my sleep, my ability to enjoy my home and the limited quiet time available on weekends.
I understand the developer believes the longer hours may shorten the project by one to three months. On a construction program of around three years, I do not believe that is enough to justify the extra burden placed on surrounding residents. There is also no certainty that the full time saving would be achieved.
I was also disappointed that this proposal was not clearly brought to residents’ attention through the regular community updates about the project. A change of this importance should have been communicated openly to the people most likely to be affected.
I support keeping the construction hours already approved. They provide a fairer balance between allowing the development to proceed and protecting the people who live nearby.
I ask the Department to refuse the proposed modification and retain the existing weekday and Saturday construction hours.

Re: SSD-77608714-Mod-4 – One Darling Point
I am writing to object to the proposed extension of construction hours at One Darling Point.
I have lived in the local area for almost 25 years and am now retired. I am also Chairperson of the owners corporation (SP 11580) of 168 New South Head Road.
Having lived here for so long, I accept that construction and change are part of life in the area. However, I believe the hours being requested go beyond what nearby residents should reasonably be expected to tolerate.
Starting construction at 6am on weekdays would be very disruptive. In reality, the noise would not only come from building work itself. It would also include workers arriving, vehicles entering the site, deliveries, reversing alarms, gates opening and machinery being prepared. At that time of the morning, many residents are still asleep.
The proposed Saturday hours are also excessive. Changing the current hours from 8am–1pm to 7am–6pm would take away almost the entire day. Saturday afternoon is one of the few times local residents can expect some relief from construction noise. Allowing rock hammering, rock breaking and piling during that period would make the impact much worse.
The neighbourhood is already dealing with several sources of disruption. There is construction at the Ranelagh Apartments, ongoing work around Ascham School, roadworks on New South Head Road and regular aircraft noise starting at 6am. The combined effect is significant, particularly for people who spend much of their time at home.
As a retired resident, my home is where I spend most of my day. The proposal would affect my sleep, my ability to enjoy my home and the limited quiet time available on weekends.
I understand the developer believes the longer hours may shorten the project by one to three months. On a construction program of around three years, I do not believe that is enough to justify the extra burden placed on surrounding residents. There is also no certainty that the full time saving would be achieved.
I was also disappointed that this proposal was not clearly brought to residents’ attention through the regular community updates about the project. A change of this importance should have been communicated openly to the people most likely to be affected.
I support keeping the construction hours already approved. They provide a fairer balance between allowing the development to proceed and protecting the people who live nearby.
I ask the Department to refuse the proposed modification and retain the existing weekday and Saturday construction hours.

My SubscriptionsDraft Submissions

I am one of 30 apartments at 2 Darling Point rd.
This project is already having an impact on me (and other residents).
The current hours are supposed to be 7:00am to 6:00pm.
However, large trucks are now regularly stopping in Lower Darling Point Rd, BEFORE 7:00am to unload equipment, etc and in doing so, are making enough toise to regularly wake me and my wife. Starting one hour earlier on a weekday, will mean that trucks might now arrive at 5:30am. Similarly, a 7:00am start on a Saturday, is unreasonable.
This project is also often causing traffic to divert to one lane - causing disruption.
Michael Abel

Re: SSD-77608714-Mod-4 – Objection to Proposed Extension of Construction Hours

I object to the proposed extension of construction hours.

I live in a residential apartment immediately adjacent to the site. A joint household submission has already been lodged, but I wish to add my own objection because the proposed changes would have a distinct impact on my sleep, work and ability to regulate at home.

I am neurodivergent and have sensory processing differences. I work from home in part because a predictable home environment helps me manage sensory demands associated with neurodivergence. This is not simply a preference. My work also requires a quiet and stable environment for client-facing tasks.

Construction activity is regularly audible from inside our apartment, including vehicle movements, reversing alarms, machinery or motor noise, moving materials and workers calling out. I am often woken by this activity at the current approved start time, even where it appears to involve site activity rather than high-impact works.

This shows that even works characterised as low-noise or non-heavy are still audible and can disrupt sleep. A 6:00am start would have a materially greater impact on sleep, regulation and daily functioning.

The proposed earlier start times would not only affect sleep itself, but also my daily routine and structure, including when I can wind down, go to bed, schedule specific work tasks and recover.

I already use noise-cancelling headphones while working from home to manage the current noise environment. However, that is only a partial mitigation. It is not practical or comfortable to wear them for extended periods, and they cannot be worn while sleeping. I have tried earplugs while sleeping, but after repeated inflammation my ears no longer tolerate them, so they are not a sustainable solution for me.

Keeping windows closed reduces some noise but also limits fresh air and natural ventilation, so it is not a complete solution either.

I have made reasonable efforts to manage the existing noise environment, but nearby residents should not be expected to absorb the impact of extended construction hours by continually finding their own workarounds.

The proposed Saturday extension to 7:00am–6:00pm would remove much of the weekend respite currently available. For me, one quiet day is not enough to reset after a week of interrupted sleep, sensory load and reduced quiet periods. The impact is cumulative, and over time creates ongoing strain rather than isolated inconvenience.

I understand that construction must occur. However, I do not consider the proposed regular extension of hours to be proportionate to the claimed program saving. I ask that the current approved construction hours be retained.

This is a positive development that will provide long-term benefits to the area. However, given the site’s close proximity to adjacent low-rise residential buildings, extending construction hours would have a significant adverse impact on the wellbeing and amenity of nearby residents due to construction noise, particularly in the morning.

The potential reduction of one to three months in a 36-month construction program is marginal and does not justify this impact.

Re: Objection to Modification 4 – SSD-77608714-Mod-4
136–148 New South Head Road, Edgecliff
Proposed Amendments to Conditions D3 (Hours of Construction) and D7 (High Noise Activities)

To whom it may concern,
I wish to lodge a formal objection to Modification 4 (SSD-77608714-Mod-4) for the development at 136–148 New South Head Road, Edgecliff.
I strongly oppose the proposed amendments to Condition D3, which seek to extend construction hours from the currently approved hours of 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and 8:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays, to 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturdays. I also object to the proposed amendment to Condition D7, which would permit particularly noisy activities such as rock breaking, rock hammering, sheet piling, pile driving and similar works between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm on Saturdays.
My objection is based on the significant adverse impacts these changes would have on the amenity and liveability of the surrounding residential neighbourhood.
The proposed extension of construction hours would result in increased noise, dust and traffic disruption over much longer periods of the day and week. Residents have already accepted that a major development will inevitably cause some inconvenience. However, the current approved construction hours provide a reasonable balance between the needs of the developer and the rights of nearby residents to enjoy their homes in reasonable peace and comfort. The proposed modification would remove much of that balance.
I live directly across the road from this development and can see the site from my balcony, which is the primary source of fresh air into my apartment. I am a senior citizen with a disability and spend a considerable amount of time at home. As a result, I would be directly and disproportionately affected by these extended construction hours. The increased duration of construction noise would make it impossible to sit comfortably on my balcony or keep my balcony doors open to enjoy fresh air without being subjected to continuous noise, dust and disturbance.
The proposal to allow high-impact activities such as rock breaking, rock hammering and pile driving until 5:00 pm on Saturdays is particularly concerning. Saturdays currently provide at least some opportunity for residents to enjoy their homes and outdoor spaces after construction ceases at 1:00 pm. Extending these particularly noisy works into the afternoon would effectively eliminate that respite and significantly diminish the quality of life for nearby residents.
In addition to the excessive noise, prolonged construction activity will increase dust and traffic disruption, making everyday living more difficult for local residents, particularly those who are older or have disabilities.
Planning decisions should not only consider the efficiency of construction but also the health, wellbeing and amenity of the surrounding community. The proposed modification places an unreasonable burden on residents while providing little benefit to the community.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that the proposed amendments to Conditions D3 and D7 be refused and that the existing approved construction hours remain unchanged.
Thank you for considering my submission.
Yours faithfully,
Caroline Haski

I support the project

The extended building hours requested are ridiculous.
Are the adjacent residents not entitled to peaceful enjoyment of their home, especially over the week ends.
Already an a Saturday morning we are been inconvenienced by excavation and drilling taking place.
I also object to 6am start on week days. This is crazy and a total invasion of what I consider to be a time for rest and sleep. A 7am start is more than reasonable during the week.
An 8am start on Saturday is also more than reasonable and for people that work hard during the week, to be woken at 7am on the weekend is unfair and unacceptable. The extended hours on a Saturday should go to a maximum of 3pm, as a lot of people catch up with rest on a Saturday afternoon.
It seems there is no end to the greed and taking advantage of the public interest when it comes to State Significant Developments and anything to do with Affordable housing. Enough is enough!!
Would it be such a tragedy if the development took an extra month to complete?
Utter disgrace as to the intrusion into the enjoyment of our private lives that is taking place with this already massive over development of this site.
What will the next request entail. I shudder to think!!
Please reject this extended hours request.

Hi,
I object to the project request to increase building work hours.
We live in the apartment next door.
The current building hours already really negatively impact our wellbeing and lives.
Extending the hours to an extremely unreasonable hour will strongly impact this even more.
We cannot afford to not live/rent out our home but our quality of life is so impacted.
You are building affordable homes for others - so please consider your impacts to others.
Thanks

Hey there,
I am a landlord in the neighbouring apartment - 166 new south head road, edgecliff.
I strongly object to the request to extend building works beyond what is already extremely unreasonable.
This is impacting not only mine but many others mental health and lives.
We are impacted so much by noise, dust and traffic.
It is waking us up in the morning, disrupting our work during the day, and continuing into the weekends which is relaxing time.
Please consider not extending your already unreasonable hours and think about the quality of others lives.
Unless you're happy to pay for everyone to move our during your building works.
Thanks

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to object to Modification Application SSD-77608714-Mod-4 for the development at 136–148 New South Head Road, Edgecliff.

As a nearby resident, I have already experienced significant impacts from the current construction activities. The site generates substantial noise, dust, vibration, and general disruption that materially affects the amenity of our homes and the surrounding neighbourhood.

The proposed extension of construction hours would further increase these impacts and reduce the limited respite currently available to residents. In particular:
Extending weekday construction commencement from 7:00am to 6:00am would result in disturbance during a period when many residents are still asleep.

Extending Saturday construction hours from 8:00am–1:00pm to 7:00am–6:00pm would significantly reduce residents' ability to enjoy their homes and weekends.

The proposal to allow noisy activities such as rock breaking, rock hammering, sheet piling and pile driving on Saturdays would have a considerable impact on our quality of life.

The construction works are already highly disruptive. The noise is often intrusive and unavoidable, dust regularly affects the surrounding area, and the ongoing disturbance has negatively impacted our sleep, our enjoyment of living in the area, and our overall wellbeing and mental health.

When purchasing or renting in this area, residents would reasonably expect occasional construction activity. However, extending operating hours to begin earlier and continue longer, particularly on weekends, shifts an unreasonable burden onto the community for the convenience of the developer.

I acknowledge the importance of delivering additional housing, including affordable housing, but this should not come at the expense of the health, wellbeing and reasonable amenity of existing residents.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that the Department reject the proposed modification and retain the currently approved construction hours.

I feel like this feedback from the public is generally ignored, so would appreciate any sort of action.

Yours faithfully

This is a residential precinct wirth many home units very close to the project. The proposed extended hours especially the time on Saturdays for excavation works would be very detrimental to the peace and quiet to working people enjoying a break on Saturday.
In my opinion the added hours of building are not any benefit to local residents. They are designed purely to benefit the builder who already makes significant disturbance to the area.

Objection to Proposed Extended Construction Hours

I strongly object to the proposed extension of construction hours to commence at 6:00am on weekdays and to permit construction works throughout Saturday, including rock breaking until 5:00pm.

The proposal fails to adequately consider the amenity and wellbeing of the existing community. A 6:00am start is unreasonable in a residential area and will result in significant disturbance to neighbouring residents through worker arrivals, vehicle movements and construction noise at a time when many people are still asleep.

Of particular concern is the proposal to allow rock breaking throughout Saturday. Rock breaking is an extremely intrusive activity, generating high levels of noise and vibration that cannot be avoided by neighbouring residents. Saturdays provide one of the few opportunities for residents to enjoy their homes and outdoor spaces without weekday work commitments. Permitting rock breaking until 5:00pm effectively removes any meaningful respite and demonstrates a disregard for the established community.

The existing construction hours provide an appropriate balance between facilitating development and protecting residential amenity. The proposed extension places the convenience of the applicant above the rights of neighbouring residents and should not be supported.

I respectfully request that the proposed modification be refused, or at a minimum that the 7:00am weekday commencement time be retained and rock breaking be prohibited on Saturdays.

I am objecting to the proposed longer construction hours. I have been largesly disrupted by the current construction hours, piling making the entire building shake, interrupting interviews and meetings I have had to conduct from home. Along with the chemical smells causing headaches.

It would be extremely unfair on nearby residents to be subject to even more of the noise and disturbance. Especially early mornings and weekends when construction already starts way too early having woken me up numerous times to have it nearly inescapable would be horrific to live with saving 1-3 months in such a long program is negligible difference after having lived with it for so long anyway.

I am already subject to works for the entirety of every working day. I work from home, and the piling and other work has made it difficult if not impossible to do my job. I have had meetings interrupted by the whole building shaking (as piling works are occuring single digit meters from my office wall), >90db noise indoors, and inescapable chemical smells all weekend just in the last month alone.

If the Saturday works were extended by 6 hours we would have almost no escape from the construction noise, which already has a large negative affect on our lives. The project aims to expand the existing 38% of the week that they can work, into 48% of the week and would cover almost our entire waking day.

Savings 1-3 months on a 36 month project is not justification enough to cause even more disturbance in the meantime.

Dear Assessment Officer,

We write to object to the proposed modification to extend construction hours at 136–148 New South Head Road, Edgecliff.

We reside at 2/166 New South Head Road, immediately adjacent to the construction site, with our living room and primary living areas directly overlooking the works. Consequently, we experience construction noise and vibration at a particularly high level compared with many surrounding properties.

The current approved construction hours already have a significant impact on our daily lives but represent a difficult compromise that allows both the project to progress and nearby residents to enjoy some respite. The proposed extension would remove much of that remaining respite.

On weekdays, commencing construction at 6:00 am would disrupt our sleep and force us to wake even earlier than we already do to minimise the impact of construction noise. As two full-time professionals, adequate sleep and recovery are essential for our health, wellbeing and ability to perform safely and effectively in our respective occupations.

The proposed Saturday hours are of even greater concern. Extending general construction until 6:00 pm, together with permitting high-impact activities such as rock breaking, rock hammering and piling until 5:00 pm, would effectively remove the only meaningful period of quiet we currently have to enjoy our home on weekends. The existing 1:00 pm Saturday finish provides a reasonable balance by allowing nearby residents some opportunity to rest, relax and use their homes without continuous construction noise. The proposed modification would eliminate that balance.

Given our immediate proximity to the site, we believe the additional construction hours would result in an unreasonable and disproportionate loss of residential amenity for neighbouring residents. We do not consider that sufficient justification has been demonstrated to warrant reducing the existing protections that were established when the project was approved.

We respectfully request that the current approved construction hours remain unchanged.

Thank you for considering our submission.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Charles Geale
Alberto Rosas Guerrero
2/166 New South Head Road
Edgecliff NSW 2027

The current construction schedule is already impacting negatively on daily life with the noise, dust and shaking of the building. To increase these hours particularly at the weekend is wholly unreasonable