Redevelopment of Greenwich Hospital (Concept)

The development is too large for the area.
Local infrastructure and services are already at maximum, including
sewage systems in local area.
Local roads can not cope with increased traffic and residents in
adjoining areas have difficulty exiting at morning and afternoon times
onto River Road already.
We can not afford to lose more local bush land.
Appearance and height of structures will impact on local residents eg
in Northwood and Greenwich North.
Local interests have not been adequately considered in making
decisions already - is this democratic?

While I do not oppose in principle an upgrade to the hospital facilities
to cater for a growing aged population, the proposed construction of
80 apartments and 9 villas do not seem to fit with the original
intention of the allocated land as a hospital facility and instead
appears to be a commercial driven development that will provide no
benefit to the community.
I am also concerned that the scale and height of the development is
unsympathetic to its surroundings and would dominate the skyline.
Currently the bushland aspect is one of the key draw cards for people
to live in this area. We value the natural surroundings, wildlife and
tranquility of the area.

Apart from the environmental damage to the natural habit that would
result from further removal of established trees, we would no doubt be
impacted from increase noise pollution as sounds tends to echo across
the gully. The trees provide a buffer and their removal would impact
our quality of life.

Another key reason for my objection is that we enjoy and value the
bush surroundings and the natural wildlife that live in the area,
particularly surrounding the Bob Campbell Oval. Having a development
of this size would change the character of this unique environment and
pose a serious risk to the surrounding bush land reserve and wildlife.

My opinion is that this development does not benefit the community and
cannot not justify the threat of damaging the bushland and erosion
quality of lifestyle for surrounding residents. As a resident of
Northwood, I would be impacted visually by the scale of the proposed
development and loss of trees and bushland, increased noise pollution
not to mention additional traffic gridlock turning into River Road. In
short, this development only benefits the pockets of Hammond Care, not
the community or surrounding residents.

Thank you.
Anne Miller

Stop the overdevelopment
Be more transparent and honest
Stop keeping the residents of Greenwich in the dark
More green space not less

This State Significant Development which is a major project is planned to
be in the middle of suburban domestic housing. The existing
surrounding structures are low profile in a lush, green, bush
environment. There are a series of valleys which River Road traverses
from Crows Nest to Lane Cove West and this Hospital Development site
is in one of these valleys, not on the crest of a hill. River Road
rolls up and down the hills and the shock of coming to this major SSD
project would be, to me, not unlike a trigger to vomit in the middle
of a pleasant meal.
Such seven story buildings of this project would be better sited at an
Industrial Estate like that at Lane Cove West.
The 97-115 River Road site is supposed to be for a "Health Services
Facility" Apartments for Seniors are NOT Health Services.
Eighty "Seniors Apartments" spread over (2x7) 14 floors equals 5.7
apartments per floor which seems like high density living to me. Add
the (probably) mentally unhealthy aspect of no mix of younger age
groups with high density living likely will cause further
complications to life for the inhabitants. Go ask the opinions of a
few experienced psychologists.
If the apartments were to be for varying ages (for example, Seniors
and Hospital Staff) the existing classification of the site to be only
as a Health Facility might be further compromised.
The fabric of the buildings shown on the plans is, in my opinion,
ugly.

I object to the development, as the proponents have not demonstrated,
through the documents presented, that sufficient attention has been
paid to the site's existing flora and the impact of the size of the
development. Local residents have cherished the natural and historic
aspects of the site for many years, and it appears that their opinions
have scarcely been considered in the proposed design.

I object to the application, not because I am opposed to any development
at all, but because I consider the size and height of the development
inappropriate to the area, and because of the loss of trees in an area
that is not particularly forested.

I would also be worried about the increase in traffic in St Vincents
Rd, which is already a 'rat run' for excess traffic from River Road.

The current application includes a nine storey hospital, parking, seniors
living villas and two, seven storey blocks for independent seniors
living. These will be privately owned and not hospital related.

The site is zoned SP2 - designated health services. Residential high
rise should not be included.

The surrounding area is zoned R1 which has a height restriction of
9.5m. The proposed development will exceed this height and tower over
the communities of Northwood and Greenwich and will overshadow the Bob
Campbell Oval and the Gore Creek Bushland Reserve. There is the threat
of environmental damage to E2 zoned Bushland Reserve and waterways.

The suggested development is opposite the Greenwich Public School
which raises safety concerns for the school children due to increased
traffic movement, noise, dust and grime and also, in general to the
residents in the surrounding area.

Very unfortunately the development will require the removal of 50
established trees. In general, there is reluctance to remove
established trees and LCC has worked hard, along with volunteers, to
regenerate this bushland corridor. Removal of established trees is a
removal from the usual attitude of Council.

This development would not only impact the residents of the
surrounding area but all resident within the Lane Cove community.

Increased pressure and major traffic congestion will be experienced on
surrounding suburban roads and particularly on River Road. River Road
is already very stressed and experiences significant periods of
congestion daily, particularly during peak periods. The weight of the
increased number of residents and residents' vehicles that would come
with this proposal, will choke and paralyse traffic flow along this
already overworked roadway and no doubt add to the number of traffic
accidents along it.

I object to this proposal as outlined.
The proposal changes the nature of the Greenwich Hospital to a
residential facility. This appears to be an inappropriate use of the
site which is zoned for "Health Services facility".

Specific problems include :
-
HEIGHT - double the height of the current hospital building; which
will potentially dominate the Bob Campbell Oval, Northwood, and nearby
streets.
Residents do not expect a radical change in their environment and this
development will create a significant and on-going impact on the
surrounding community.
-
TWO x 7-STORIES APARTMENT BLOCKS- This appears to conflict with land
zoned for "health services facility"

-
SAFETY OF CHILDREN; Children at Greenwich Public School may be at risk
from increased traffic and parking on River Road and St Vincents Road

-
INCREASED TRAFFIC in St Vincents Road and at the intersection with
River Road

-
HERITAGE-LISTED land and gardens of "Pallister House" will be
destroyed with removal of 50 mature trees, gardens and historic
sandstone walls

-
FIRE HAZARD

-
IMPACTS OF CONSTRUCTION PROCESS on adjacent community.

My main concern is that on one hand Lane Cove Council is trying to
minimise development with the likes of prohibiting multidwelling
development and using arguments like traffic or proximity to potential
bushfire and then on the other hand, the State Government as a higher
authority is allowing major development so who is right ?
If this is approved it must set a precedent to other worthy
developments in this immediate area to be able to overlook local
council regulations and exceed development limitations or
alternatively approval cannot be given.
Any approval if considered must be conditional on a number of things -
Traffic Management :
a) River Road already comes to a standstill in peak hours and hence
cannot accommodate any further loading especially in AM Peak. Entry
egress needs to be diverted to/from Greenwich Rd.
b) Greenwich Rd/River Rd intersection reduces eastbound traffic to one
lane due to the RH turn arrow without any specified lane allowance so
this intersection needs to be totally reworked with a minimum one lane
extension
c) The closest intersection Rd, Standish St is at present a nightmare
to exit from as it lacks proper visisbility and hence the junction and
street needs upgarding including guttering and stormwater runoff,
currently non existant. Entering Standish St is dangerous as there is
no deceleration lane to allow a safe slow down for LH entry travelling
westbound
Bushfire Management :
Such a large development should provide for both special access
through the property to the Gore Creek reserve for emergency vehicles
and a hazard reduction programme to maintain the safety of adjoining
residents
Community Benefits:
While I note benefits to the residents of Greenwich hospital I
question what benefits are going to emerge for adjoining residents. At
times in Standish St we have not been able to have rubbish services as
non resident carparking blocked the truck entry.
Construction Restrictions :
During any construction period adjoining properties will suffer from
noise, vibration, pollution and illegal parking and this will need to
be enforced
As a minimum I believe the above issues need to be addressed before
any approval can be granted
Regards
Jon Lyle

Lane cove disagree development

13 mar 2019
To Lane Cove Concil

I am one of the local residents who are concern about the new
development plans.
This developments will bring impacts to the inmediate surrounding
residents though
Major traffic congestions and hazards on River road.

From the first moment of construction to the end , it will créate caos
on trafic
River road is the obligated pass for almost 1/2 of neighbours on the
área ,to them there are only this narrow way to get in or out from
their homes,

For That reason I totally desagree with this development.

Mauricio Arbaiza
2 wyndarra Pl
Northwood, 2066
[email protected]
m 0429222352

I object strongly to the proposed development. It is a gross
overdevelopment of the site that because as it will overlook Bob
Campbell Oval one of the few remaining open green spaces still
remaining in the area it will destroy enjoyment of the Oval; it will
also destroy countless trees and cause traffic gridlock in the area.
The height of the proposed buildings is too high, the loss of all
those lovely trees is appalling and the downgrading of the hospital
unacceptable. The whole concept is ill-conceived Hammond Care has not
been candied about its proposals At their PR evening last year it was
impossible to find out the proposed height of their new buildings as
everyone I spoke to kept referring me to someone else who also didn't
know.
In summary, it is overdevelopment and inappropriate development, the
loss of trees is unacceptable and the traffic problems will be
horrendous.
Rather than allowing this blatant overdevelopment it would be more
sensible if the Government repurchased what was a public hospital
until recently - With all the overdevelopment in Greenwich and
surrounding suburbs more not less hospitals are needed.
I have lived here for 32 years.
I ask that you please take my comments into account.

I object to the proposed development on the following grounds:
The visual impact of the development on my existing bush land view
will be substantial. The development will dominate the skyline from my
house and suburb.
I object to the removal of trees for the development.
Whilst Hammond Care are a not-for-profit organisation, they are
applying a commercial model which is inappropriate in this suburban
environment.
I believe the proposed development is a gross overdevelopment of the
site, impacting hugely on the amenity of the surrounding area.
I believe Lane Cove council planners should be asked to advise a
suitable floor space ratio and height limit.
The proposed setbacks are Inadequate and should be increased.
In my view, the use of the state significant planning application
should be rejected by the NSW government because this is a suburban
environment with 2 storey limited domestic dwellings surrounding the
property. It should be referred to Lane Cove Council for development
consent and approval.
The photo montage in the development website is misleading and
underestimates the visual impact from Northwood.
An independent expert should be engaged to prepare a new montage.

To Whom It May Concern,
We are very close neighbours to the proposed Greenwich Hospital
development and would like to share our extreme concern at the
proposed development of this property.
We believe a development of this size will significantly change the
community visually and practically - moving what is still a
predominantly residential area into a true Commercialised space - this
is not the community many of us bought into. This proposed development
is simply too big.
Please find below a specific list of concerns and questions that I
would also like addressed:
1. The height of the proposed building appears to be 6 stories high!
Not only will this be an eye-sore compared to the current beautiful
view of trees and parkland but additionally we have concerns about
privacy in our back yard and house. There will be many people with a
direct view into our property if this proposal were to go ahead - what
are the privacy considerations for existing neighbours? We have 2
small children and the privacy of our lives is paramount.
2. I acknowledge that a traffic assessment has been completed, but I
do not believe the current infrastructure is sufficient to not
materially affect the traffic flow and our day to day lives if this
proposal were to go ahead.
3. I understand there will be parking provided in the proposed
development - will this parking be free? If not, I would suspect some
cars to be parked on the nearby side streets, restricting the ability
for residents to park their cars.
4. If this proposal were successful, I would like to confirm that the
ability to park on River Road remains unrestricted and free as this is
critical to the neighbouring properties and their ability to maintain
their lives (hosting visitors etc)
5. Currently, we are able to go towards Lane Cove and the West by
taking a right turn into the hospital from River Road (northern entry)
and lopping back on to River Road via the traffic lights. There does
not seem to be the ability to do that in the new plan ... what is the
expectation for residents to head West in the proposed plan?
6. I would like to confirm, that while heading towards Lane Cove on
River Road (from Crows Nest) we will still be able to take a right
into our property from River Road, if this proposal were to continue.
7. If this proposal were to be approved, what is the length of time
for the construction? And when would it be completed? What
compensation will be provided to the residents for the inconvenience
of this extreme disturbance?
Fundamentally, there are a number of concerns relating to changes to
our current way of life. The main one being, the size of this
development is simply disproportionately big for a community this size
- it will dramatically change the look and feel of the community and
will likely have adverse affects on the property values of the
neighbouring properties.
I would appreciate the chance to discuss this further in more detail
with someone as I strongly object to the proposal and I believe the
community should be closely consulted before such a big change which
will affect everyone is executed.
Kind Regards

I lodge my objection to the proposed development of Greenwich hospital as
per the following:
* Visual impact on the area
* Noise impact
* Traffic impact both during and after completion
* Lack of public transport
* Potential for environmental damage to adjacent bushland corridor
* Safety concerns for school due to increased traffic
* Building of residential units in an area zoned for Infrastructure -
Health Services

Visual - The visual impact from this development will be significant
on the surrounding suburbs. This development is being proposed in an
area which is all zoned R2 residential ie height restriction of 9.5m.
The 9 storey hospital and 2 x 7 storey residential building will tower
above anything else. It will loom over local residents, be an eye sore
to the area of Northwood and the users of Bob Campbell Oval which sits
below it. Due to the topography of the land, a significant number of
homes are downhill from the site and therefore will feel the impact is
even greater than the actual physical height of the buildings. This is
in no way in keeping with the area or immediate streetscape. It
appears to be a gross overdevelopment of the site with no
consideration taken to the surrounding area and residents.
Additionally it appears no consideration has been given to the view
aspect from Northwood, whose residents enjoy a bush outlook over Gore
Creek. It is constantly referred to as a "distant view" and yet the
hospital will be closer to the streets of Northwood than the Senior
Living Units would be to their desired views up Lane Cove River.

Zoning - This site is zoned SP2 Health Services and yet the proposal
is requesting senior living villas and senior living apartments. This
seems to specifically go against what the area has been designated
for.

Noise - The additional noise created from the hospital will affect all
residents of Northwood. Noise travels freely across the valley area
and can readily be heard from all of the east side of the suburb. The
additional noise during construction would have a significant impact
on these residents.

Traffic - The Traffic and Parking Impact Assessment concludes the
development will have " negligible effect" this seems to be a grossly
inadequate assessment of the road and the current traffic situation.
The Residents of Greenwich, Northwood, Longueville and Riverview have
no option but to use River Road to get out of their suburbs as they
are all isolated points with their limited entry and exit street
leading directly onto River Road. River Road is a small 50Km/hour
residential road frequently with only one lane of flowing traffic in
either direction but continues to become busier and busier as it is
the most direct route from the Crows Nest area to the Hunters Hill,
Woolwich or onto the Gladesville Bridge and Victoria Road. These high
volumes of traffic particularly during peak times make it difficult
for residents to exit their suburbs. In addition to this the winding
nature of River Road and limited traffic lights to assist traffic
entering River Road generates numerous accidents. A simple crash with
no injuries can have a roll on effect and create significant delays on
this road.
In previous years the corner of St Vincents Road and River Road
Greenwich has been listed in the top 10 accidents sites in the Lane
Cove Municipality. The accidents at this intersection are numerous and
even the most simple of accidents create significant traffic delays
due to the road being only 1 lane west bound. Hazards are created due
to various reasons and I fear this would endanger the lives of
pedestrians and children who attend Greenwich Public School across the
road from the proposed development. Frequently, the traffic wanting to
turn right into St Vincent's Road backs up and drivers come over the
crest of the hill to find the traffic stopped. Traffic either entering
or exciting St Vincent's Road will likely become blocked due to parked
cars creating a single lane in combination with cars waiting for the
traffic to enter or exit before they can continue, creating backups
and gridlocks for local residents.
These issues are only likely to increase with an increased traffic
volume. During construction the required movement of trucks and trades
accessing the site would only exacerbate these problems.

Public Transport -
"The site has convenient access to public transport, including a bus
stop (service route: 261) located immediately east of the signalised
access on River Road, operating with a 10-minute service frequency."
This is quoted again as a "10 minute service" on Page 58 and Page 83
This is statement is completely false and a great misleading piece of
information. The 261 operates no more than every 20 minutes over a 2
hour peak period until 8.30am Outside of peak hours Monday to Friday
it only runs once per hour. Additionally, it operates once an hour on
Saturdays and there is no Sunday service at all.
St Leonards Station is a 25min up-hill walk from the hospital and no
bus route exists to connect the station to Greenwich hospital. This is
hardly conducive to using the train (for both the elderly residents of
the proposed Senior Living quarters and the visitors of the hospital).
Overall the public transport option is not regular nor convenient
enough to expect people to use this as their first option to access
the hospital or their residence.

I am against the proposed development of Greenwich Hospital as it
currently stands as I do not believe it is in the best interests of
the area.

I would like to lodge my objection to the proposed development.

As I live in Riverview the main impact personally would be the
increase in traffic on River Road. We are already suffering from the
Rosenthal project development and the already heavy traffic on River
Road in peak travel time.

The current encroaching development of residential units in Lane cove
and St Leonards are bad enough. They are already changing the total
feel and value of our suburbs.

I also oppose on the basis that it is opposite the primary school ,
raising concerns for the safety of the children and on the enormous
impact it will have on residents in the Northwood and Longueville
areas.

The Development will effect the surrounding bushland and be a major
eyesore for those currently overlooking the bush. It is certainly
unfair for people who live there.

I object to the proposed development which will utilise the heritage
listed area as primarily for residential apartments and villas. This
land has been set aside for hospital services and its use should
remain that. While any increase in hospital services and facilities is
positive, half the land will be used for accommodation and the
building of 89 apartments and villas. The so-called 'hospital
development' is a misnomer for residential development. Further more,
removing approximately 50 trees and the proposed height and density of
the development will permanently destroy the character of the bushland
setting.

The proposed redevelopment is so large it will fundamentally change the
whole area and neighbourhood for the worse.
This is revealed by the height of the proposed buildings and density
of them across the whole area.
The frontage onto River Rd. is the worst epitomy of all the high rise
around Sydney at the moment. it pays no respect to the sense of this
neighbourhood.
What's worse is that the historic precinct of Palister House is so
encroached and dwarfed by the proposed main building. Our local
history is being kicked aside in this land-grab of a 'design'!
The road and traffic section is pure speculatiuon and uses banal
wording that only paints a deliberate and 'rosey' increase in the use
of the surrounding roads.
But it does state that there will be be at a 100% increase in traffic,
these roads and intersections cannot deall safely nor adequately for
this increase.
The Greenwich Primary School across from the main entrance of the
Hospital, is currently undergoing major redevelopment and the increase
alone in the traffic generated by that has had no mention at all in
the HammondCare reporting.
By that ommission alone demonstrates the farse of the 'Road & Traffic'
study.

Put briefly my objections are as follows:

Hugely too large a development, both on the ground and in height

Serious negative impact on traffic on River Road during and after
development

Negative impact on quality of life for nearby residents

Negative impact on the heritage building Pallister

Negative impact on nearby property values

This area's bush-and-scrub quality will be destroyed by the intrusion
of huge multi-level buildings. My property is directly opposite
Greenwich Hospital. The hugely massive main building proposed will
visually dominate both the site and that part of River Road. Given the
number of trees being cut down the leafy atmosphere and the breathing
space of this part of Greenwich will largely disappear.

The architects have no doubt been careful to ensure that all needs for
patients and visitors to and within the hospital grounds will be
addressed with as much care as possible. Unfortunately they seem to
have ignored one basic point -- River Road is now (and after the
development will still be) primarily a residential street. People live
here. They have families here. Children will need to be crossing
streets. They will constantly need access to and from their
properties, by foot or by car.
The doubling of traffic on River Road is of major concern to all
residents. This will be the case even more so during building
operations. Trucks will be constantly hurtling up and down the road
from 7 am every day. Given also the building developments for the
school opposite the hospital this will constantly increase hazards for
any of the children and parents approaching the school from River
Road. And for residents of the road the noise and pollution levels
from 7 a.m.will no doubt be horrendous.

The heritage building, Pallister, will be visually swamped. It will be
left looking like a pearl in an oyster. I wish I could be convinced
that the oyster will give as much pleasure as the pearl.

While I am assuming that the architects have thought seriously about
the visual impact of their design on the landscape within the confines
of the overall area of the hospital grounds, I am not convinced that
the visual impact of this huge development on the broader local
Greenwich area has been so carefully considered.

Dear Department of Planning and Environment,

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission to this proposed
redevelopment of the Greenwich Hospital site. We would like to
register our opposition to the proposal in its current form due to:
(i) safety concerns for the pedestrians and users of St Vincents Road
due to the increase in traffic associated with a development of this
scale in a residential area. This will be felt most during the peak
periods, when there is also an increased number of users travelling to
the Greenwich Public School;
(ii) a decrease of available car parking on St Vincents Road due to
increased size of the facility. Visitors and staff of the hospital and
associated facilities currently park on St Vincents Road in addition
to the parking located within the hospital grounds. This will further
increase with this significant increase in patients, residents and
staff. An increase to the number of cars parked on St Vincents Road
reduces the visibility and accessibility of this road, further
increasing risk to safety;
(iii) proposed change to the existing limited hours access via the St
Vincents Road entrance via inclusion of a controlled access for villa
residents. We request that the existing restrictions be preserved with
no additional access;
(iv) inappropriate scale of height of development of the hospital
building given surroundings and topography of the site. The height of
this building is not compatible with the character of the locality,
and the slope of the land and neighbouring land further accentuates
this incompatibility;
(v) removal of trees especially those along the St Vincents road
aspect, as this negatively impacts the character of the locality.

We request that the redevelopment be reduced in size to ensure the
safety of users of this local road, especially the children commuting
to the local primary school. Revisions should be made to protect the
character of the locality.

Kind regards.

I am objecting to the re-zoning of the Hospital site. How can a Charity
gain to make so much out a re-zoning? The number and size of the
proposed units/villas is out of keeping with the heritage value of
Pallister. The removal of trees is also of concern. Lane Cove Council
has lost so many trees of late. The development is too big in such
close proximity to the Public School. There are so many units/villas
in Lane Cove Local area that are under-used. Why add to this? The view
from the water is absurd. The development would dominate the Vista.