Novus on Victoria, Chatswood - Build-to-Rent

We are concern about:
- Excessive Height and Incompatibility with Surroundings
- Loss of Sunlight, view and privacy
- Construction Disruption - noise, dust, air pollution and heavy traffic
- Overdevelopment and Infrastructure Strain
- Traffic Congestion and Safety Concerns
- Negative Impact on Community Amenity and Lifestyle
- Environmental Impact on Local Wildlife

I think this looks great, great mix of dwelling sizes, well located, perfect for near a train station.

As this project is situated right next to Chatswood interchange, an area with arguably the best public transport infrastructure outside of the Sydney CBD, the proposed 9 car share parking spaces is satisfactory. The lack of car parking encourages public transport usage, which is more sustainable than private car use. The limited car parking will mean the road infrastructure is not impacted, and it will make Chatswood a more liveable area. If people do not own a car, they should be able to rent out a unit that does not include the price of the construction of car parking. The cost of providing a car space was found by the Centre of International Economics in 2024 to be around 100k per unit in Sydney for mid rise developments. The cost is likely higher for high rise buildings due to the need for deeper basements within a smaller footprint. People should not be forced to pay substantially higher rents for a car space that they do not need. According to profile.id in 2021, around 3,900 households in the Willoughby City Council area do not own a car. Ultimately, if the applicant has determined that there is sufficient demand for apartment units with no carparking spaces to make the project viable, this project should be encouraged to proceed. Due to the lack of carparking, the applicant will likely be able to rent out each unit below the market price of other developments in Chatswood which were constructed with more parking, increasing competition in the market, thus helping alleviate the housing crisis.

Additionally, the applicants decision to ensure all residential apartments are not serviced by gas appliances is a step in the right direction for environmental sustainability.

The Novus Project is a total destruction to our Chatswood community. The existing Victor Street corner adjacent Post Office Lane and Victoria Avenue is a very busy and high business residential mix area. Increasing density in this tiny 50 square metre corner is highly risky to the pedestrians and residents because the traffic is very busy. I hope the decision maker can visit this area in both week days and weekend to inspect.

Objection to Proposed Novus on Victoria Chatswood Built-to-rent

To: Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Re: Objection to Proposed Novus on Victoria Chatswood Built-to-rent

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing on behalf of a concerned resident living adjacent to the proposed 46-storey build-to-rent development. I wish to express strong opposition to this project due to a range of significant and legitimate concerns.
Please kindly consider the following reasons for rejecting the application:
Risks of the Built-to-Rent – most of the people live in this project are renting the property, not the actual owners/residents of the properties, and just temporary living in Chatswood, which increase the complexity of the crowd structure. They may bring the risks of not caring about the community as the local owners/residents, which may destroy the harmony of the local community and the public security environment.
Excessive Height and Incompatibility with Surroundings - This development would introduce a 46-storey structure in an area where no comparable buildings exist. Such a height is completely out of place and would fundamentally alter the character and scale of the neighbourhood.
Loss of Sunlight and View - The resident’s apartment is situated very close to the proposed development site. If built, the structure would block natural sunlight and previously open views, which are essential to their living conditions and property value.
Construction Disruption - The construction phase will create prolonged noise, dust, and heavy vehicle traffic. These disruptions will cause a serious decline in daily living standards and potentially affect the health of nearby residents due to poor air quality.
Overdevelopment and Infrastructure Strain - With approximately 260 new apartments, this development would significantly increase local population density. Local infrastructure, including roads, public transport, and services, is not equipped to handle such growth without substantial upgrades.
Traffic Congestion and Safety Concerns - An increase in traffic is inevitable, leading to congestion and potential risks for pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency services. This poses a genuine threat to community safety and mobility.
Negative Impact on Community Amenity and Lifestyle - The resident fears their lifestyle will suffer due to overcrowding, loss of privacy, increased noise levels, and decreased access to open spaces. The community’s overall quality of life will undoubtedly decline if this project moves forward.
Environmental Impact on Local Wildlife - The proposed development site may currently support local flora and fauna, which would be severely disrupted or displaced by the construction activities. Noise, dust, and habitat destruction will negatively affect native bird species, insects, and small mammals, leading to potential long-term ecological imbalance in the area.

In light of the above points, sustainable planning must balance new housing with the preservation of neighbourhood character and existing residents’ wellbeing. This proposal, as it stands, fails to meet that balance. Please kindly consider the rejection/amendments of the projects.

Thank you for taking this into consideration.

Kind regards,

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing as a concerned resident of Metro Chatswood to formally lodge my objection to the proposed Novus on Victoria Chatswood Built-to-rent development adjacent to my apartment building.
While I understand the need for housing growth, I believe this proposal is highly unsuitable for our neighborhood for the following reasons:
1. Excessive Height and Incompatibility with Surroundings
There are currently no developments in our area approaching 46 storeys. Approving a building of this scale would set an unsustainable precedent and severely undermine the existing character and scale of our community. The proposed height is excessive and entirely out of context with the local built environment.
2. Loss of Sunlight and View
The proposed building would be constructed extremely close to my apartment and other nearby residences. Its height and proximity would significantly reduce our natural sunlight exposure and obstruct previously open views—directly impacting our quality of life and potentially diminishing property values.
3. Construction Disruption
The construction of a high-rise of this magnitude will inevitably involve prolonged periods of noise, dust, and heavy machinery traffic. This would cause major disruption to residents' daily lives, pose health risks due to dust and particulate matter, and increase noise pollution well beyond acceptable residential levels.
4. Overdevelopment and Infrastructure Strain
The addition of approximately 260 new apartments would drastically increase the population density of the area. This would place considerable strain on local infrastructure, including roads, public transport, parking availability, waste collection, and public utilities. Our area is not equipped to handle such an influx without significant upgrades, which have not been outlined.
5. Traffic Congestion and Safety Concerns
An increase in population density will lead to heightened traffic congestion in an already busy area. More vehicles entering and exiting the development would increase the risk of accidents and make local roads more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. It may also impact emergency vehicle access in peak times.
6. Negative Impact on Community Amenity and Lifestyle
The combined impact of reduced privacy, overcrowding, increased noise, and visual obstruction would lead to a substantial decline in the quality of life for existing residents. Open spaces, if not expanded proportionally, will become overcrowded, and the overall livability of the neighborhood will diminish.
In conclusion, I strongly urge the Department to reject this development application. While housing expansion is necessary, it must be balanced with preserving community character, resident wellbeing, and sustainable urban planning. This development, in its current form, does not achieve that balance.
Thank you for considering my submission.
Yours sincerely,

I am writing to express my strong concerns regarding the proposed new building project in our area. While I appreciate growth and development, the current plans seem to compromise the character of our community. The proposed increase in traffic, potential strain on local infrastructure, and lack of sufficient green space are all significant issues that need to be addressed. Additionally, the design appears to overlook our neighborhood’s unique heritage and the needs of its residents.
I urge the planning committee to reconsider this project and engage in a more meaningful consultation process with the community. Our local voices deserve to be heard in shaping a development that enhances rather than disrupts our shared environment.