Residential development with In-fill affordable housing - East Walker Street, North Sydney

the new exhibition changes are very minor and cosmetic. I have made previous submission, it stands in full and still strongly opposed to the proposed development

I second the objection previously submitted:

I object to this proposal.

This development proposal failed three prior times, this is the forth attempt with new leverage of affordable housing provisions to exceed bulk, height and scale even beyond its previous SNPP approval by imposing a 30 storey highrise tower in excessively close proximity to a heritage neighbourhood and the Hampden Street Heritage Terrace Row.
There is united and strong local consensus that the proposal is unacceptable, inappropriate, and not in the public interest.

The reasons and concerns for my objection is as follows:

1. History of Rejection:
o This is the fourth iteration of the development attempt since 2016.
o The proposal was previously rejected by a Planning Consultant, the North Sydney Local Planning Panel (NSLPP), and North Sydney Council. Rejection supported by more than ten substantial reasons.
o An attempt to further the case in the Land and Environment Court was withdrawn by the applicant.

2. Character and Scale:
o The proposal includes a 30-storey tower and a 12-storey building in a low-rise housing area.
o It exceeds bulk, height, and scale provisions, and is out of character with the heritage neighborhood including the Hampden Street Terrace Row.
o It impacts over 1,000 dwellings with major traffic issues, loss of solar access, residential amenity, and view loss.

3. Traffic Impact:
o The local road network is already congested, specially at school hours from two major schools are within 100m.
o The site is on a one-way lane leading to a dead-end Hampden Street, with difficult access for Hampden Street residents at current time. Additional traffic from development will be detrimental for access by Hampden Street residents.
o Future traffic pressure from nearby developments has not been considered.
the new Aqualand development at 168 Walker with 386 apartments is ignored
- the new Reddam School in McLaren Street commencing in January 2025
- a new 42 storey building under construction over Victoria Cross Station
- a new 14 storey residential approval across the road at 45 McLaren Street
- a new approved 57 storey building at 110 Walker Street
o An adequate and realistic traffic analyses, access and intersection modelling, and impacts on existing residences is required.

4. Solar Access:
o Major light and view loss to Hampden Street Terrace Row, where current visual access to sky and natural light will be loss, blocked by the close proximity of the highrise tower directly opposite to the Hampden Street Terrace Row.

5. Heritage Impact:
o The proposal negatively affects the Victorian Terraces to the north and heritage buildings to the west, damaging the neighborhood character.

6. Parking
o The proposal removes on street parking on Walker Street and Hampden Street, this negatively impacts the existing Hampden Street residence which only have access to on street parking, which is already limited and difficult to find parking. .

7. View Loss:
o Major view loss to Hampden Street Terrace Row, where current visual access to sky and natural light will be loss, blocked by the close proximity of the highrise tower directly opposite to the Hampden Street Terrace Row. This is a negative impact to residence's mental health.

8. Emergency Access:
o This development will significantly hinder first responder access and egress in emergencies for Hampden Street residents, and for the development itself, due to the narrow access to site and Hampden Street, posing a major health and safety risk.

9. Proposal Documents:
o Proposal’s inclusive reports do not address previous submissions and objections, do not fully or properly take into account new developments in this area, and make false claims of “community engagement”. Proper reports are required.

10. Affordable Housing SEPP:
o The proposal inappropriately uses in-fill affordable housing changes to increase highrise tower building heights, which only applies to the building with affordable housing, not intended for the luxury apartments.

11. Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARS):
o The SEARS requirements must be upheld and properly measured against the proponent's responses, not as development currently use as ticking off check list to progress forward.

Given these points, it is clear that the proposal is considered unacceptable, inappropriate, and not in the public interest. The numerous grounds for objection highlight significant issues with planning principles, policy, and process.

Hi,
I am writing to inform you that the recent changes made by Cbus to the exhibition submission for this project are very minor, and my previous proposal submission stands in full.

Thanks
Elham Kaveheian

I object to this project on the grounds that
•the location and restricted access makes it unsuitable for large development. I have just witnessed the construction of Aura in McLaren St and the chaos caused by trucks parked on the road. There is at least space in McLaren St but in Walker the trucks and concrete deliveries will cause total blockage for well over a year. The application should be rejected in all its forms.

Traffic along the area around Walker Street and Maclaren Street is so congested and dangerous especially around school break hours, that any extra developments around the area will definitely compound the problem.
I strongly object to the approval of this proposal.

From a community perspective, it is obvious there is excess capacity in North Sydney. Entertaining in new ways like simulators and other urban development that are popular directions other international cities have taken, can be introduced and adopted perfectly in the area. The space limitations people with a large space tend to ignore are now drawn with invisible lines, the joins where agriculture meets the city is feeling the pressure because we can't develop sideways we need to go upwards. I think having more people will increase the use of local restaurants and shops that clearly don't have sufficient turnover or throughput to create efficiencies from economies of scale.
In the end it is not a good enough view to protect, but still one to be valued, making the new development a positive overall.
Where reasonable considerations to the aesthetics and function of the area, many public schools in the area and minimal night life, it would make sense to have 3 or 4 bedroom units for starting families with dual working parents that need to amenity of public transport and proximity to the CBD.

I refer to my previous submission dated 2 August 2024 in relation to this development application. In summary the development is inappropriate for that site based on
- loss of solar amenity to properties West of the development
- inappropriate traffic solution with adverse first responder access implications
- loss of iconic views for existing properties
I have reviewed the revised development proposal and none of these issues have been addressed

Looks like a great development in a convenient location, close to public transport and offices.

I object to the project application number SSD-67175465 for the a number of critical reasons listed below. Please consider the them and reject the project application to prevent further deterioration of the already over-crowded North Sydney LGA.
1. Infrastructure Strain: Increased population density can place a significant strain on existing infrastructure, including roads, public transportation, water supply, sewage systems, and waste management services, leading to potential breakdowns or overuse.
2. Traffic Congestion: the developments will result in increased traffic congestion, longer commute times, higher levels of pollution, and greater stress on public transportation systems.
3. Overcrowded Public Services: Schools, hospitals, and other public services
4. Noise Pollution: Increased noise levels
5. Parking Shortages: Increased population density can exacerbate parking issues, making it difficult for residents and visitors to find adequate parking spaces and leading to illegal parking and associated problems.
6. Quality of Life: Overall quality of life for current residents may be negatively impacted by the increased noise, traffic, and reduced availability of public amenities and green spaces.
7. Public Opinion: If a significant portion of the local community is opposed to the development, this can be a compelling reason to reconsider or modify the plans to better align with residents' wishes and concerns.

Appreciate for your consideration. Please reject project application number SSD-67175465

The proposed building will comprise the other surrounding buildings by excessive overshadowing. Furthermore, facing the freeway and high possibility of dust build up will be a concern for future residents if the building were to be constructed.

The thing about North Sydney is that the buildings follows the peak and troughs of the undulating terrain so that it still looks consistent, however the proposed building will look to defy that.

Also, there are obvious and significant existing traffic issues due to the numerous one way street and not to mention the schools surrounding the area, which causes traffic to go into gridlock often.

This traffic will be exacerbated with the development that proposed 230++ vehicles, on top of Aura’s newly introduced 300-plus vehicles and 45 McLaren Street’s 100-plus vehicles, and not to mention the Western Harbour Tunnel.

Furthermore, garbage trucks currently have to reverse down the single entry lane and if the project were to go ahead, access for construction vehicle access will be an impossibility, and the construction management plan is simplistic. This will cause the existing critical issue of extremely difficult first responder access and/or emergency egress from Hampden Street to be even worse

Lastly, the wrapper of affordable housing is not a true reflection of the make up of the proposed building, which is unethical and I urge you to take this seriously in your consideration.

I would like to register my wholehearted support for this proposal.
As a young person who has recently been in the housing market, I can attest to how greatly the demand for housing outweighs the supply of housing in this local area. The consequences of this is higher rents, queues stretched right around the block at inspections and people forced to move further away from the CBD than they would ideally like, contributing to urban sprawl. This housing crisis can only be alleviated by projects like this being approved.

North Sydney is the perfect location for greater residential development. This suburb has a world-class brand new metro station, train station, bus networks, local schools, good amenities eg pubs and most importantly commercial real estate. It is geographically close to the CBD, which is where most young professionals want to situate themselves. If we can't build housing here, then we can't build anywhere.

I have viewed the project in detail and consider it aesthetic and well-designed, in keeping with the suburb which already has some high-rise development. I believe it would add to the livability of the area.

I am particularly concerned North Sydney Council has AGAIN chosen to oppose this development. This Council has consistently opposed all SSDs in recent months and I urge the department to treat them as the "Boy who cried wolf" when it comes to development. They are obstructionist NIMBYs, as are many of the other submissions on this site.

Please ignore the naysayers and allow this good development to proceed.

I object to this project based on the factors noted below:

- Infrastructure Strain: the new development will increase the population density of North Sydney leading to significant strain on existing infrastructure, including roads, public transportation, water supply, sewage systems, and waste management services, leading to potential breakdowns or overuse.
- Traffic Congestion: the developments will result in increased traffic congestion, especially on walker street which can potentially flow onto Mclaren street too, and subsequently lead to longer commute times, higher levels of pollution, and greater stress on public transportation systems.
- Noise Pollution: Increased noise levels
- Parking Shortages: Increased population density can exacerbate parking issues, making it difficult for residents and visitors to find adequate parking spaces and leading to illegal parking and associated problems.
- Quality of Life: Overall quality of life for myself as a current resident will likely to be negatively impacted by the increased noise, traffic, and reduced availability of public amenities and green spaces.

I object to this project based on the factors noted below:

- Infrastructure Strain: the new development will increase the population density of North Sydney leading to significant strain on existing infrastructure, including roads, public transportation, water supply, sewage systems, and waste management services, leading to potential breakdowns or overuse.
- Traffic Congestion: the developments will result in increased traffic congestion, especially on walker street which can potentially flow onto Mclaren street too, and subsequently lead to longer commute times, higher levels of pollution, and greater stress on public transportation systems.
- Noise Pollution: Increased noise levels
- Parking Shortages: Increased population density can exacerbate parking issues, making it difficult for residents and visitors to find adequate parking spaces and leading to illegal parking and associated problems.
- Quality of Life: Overall quality of life for myself as a current resident will likely to be negatively impacted by the increased noise, traffic, and reduced availability of public amenities and green spaces.