Residential Flat Building with In-fill Affordable Housing - Park Ave, Gordon

To Whom It May Concern,
I am a resident of Killara. I am writing to formally and strongly object to the proposed development at 3–9 Park Avenue, Gordon, which seeks approval for the construction of a 9-storey residential apartment building.
This development, if approved, would be nothing short of a disaster for our community. It would bring irreversible damage to the livability, safety, and functionality of the area. I urge the consent authority to reject the proposal for the following reasons:
Severe Traffic Congestion:
Park Avenue is already a heavily congested road, particularly during school and work commuting hours. The street services not only residents but also a library, a police station, a public car park, and a church—not to mention it functions as a key access route to the Pacific Highway. Traffic congestion is not limited to weekdays; weekends are equally chaotic. Adding a development of this scale will exacerbate existing traffic issues to an intolerable level. I encourage decision-makers to conduct a site inspection during peak hours to witness firsthand the current traffic burden.
Inadequate Local Amenities and Commercial Support:
Gordon already lacks sufficient local businesses and services to support high-density living. Aside from Woolworths and a handful of shops near the train station, residents must rely on driving to other suburbs for dining, shopping, and daily needs. Increasing the local population without improving infrastructure or commercial services is irresponsible planning and will only worsen quality of life for existing and future residents.
Unreliable Public Transport Connectivity:
The North Shore train line is frequently disrupted due to various operational issues. It is common for services to terminate at Gordon, leaving residents with no choice but to drive. Any assessment of transport infrastructure must not assume full reliability of rail services. The proposal underestimates the future dependence on cars, leading to underplanned traffic consequences.
Unsuitable Street Width and Access Constraints:
Park Avenue is not a wide road. It is simply not capable of supporting access to a high-rise complex. The driveway access and egress for a development of this scale will inevitably lead to traffic bottlenecks, gridlock, and vehicle conflicts. Ironically, this would negatively affect even the residents of the proposed development themselves.
Risk to Children and Pedestrian Safety:
This is a family-oriented area. Most households have young children who walk or cycle to school or local parks. The increase in traffic volume and construction activity poses a serious safety risk to children. If a tragic incident occurs due to traffic impact, the approval authority must bear responsibility.
Irreversible Environmental and Social Harm:
A project of this scale should not be evaluated purely based on the potential tax contributions or financial gains to the State. Genuine urban development must be ecologically sensitive and socially responsible. This proposal destroys local biodiversity, threatens existing tree canopy and green buffers, and disrespects the historical character of Gordon. The ecological and social damage will be irreversible, with long-term costs that far outweigh any short-term benefits to developers or authorities.
In conclusion, I strongly urge the State Government and relevant authorities to consider the broader social, environmental, and infrastructural implications of this proposal. This is not simply about building more units—it is about preserving the integrity, safety, and livability of our neighbourhood.
I unequivocally oppose this development and request that the application be refused in full.
Sincerely,

David

My husband Noel and I would like to strongly object to this development proposal. The proposal for such high density in Gordon should have been divided among the other suburbs along the train line. Also there should have been shop-top housing along the Pacific Highway and not in our street which is currently zoned low density residential. There are many family homes here which will be badly impacted by this development. There is also an apartment complex planned just one block away on Pearson/Burgoyne Avenue. The resulting traffic congestion will be unbearable and is currently excessive. There has not been any allowance for extra green space in the suburb. Infrastructure is also a major problem. Besides supply of electricity and water, the sewage system in Sydney does not cope at the moment. There are often discharges of sewage into the ocean and beaches of the city; overseas visitors find it difficult to believe that such a thing could happen.
The family character of this area will be very badly impacted with such a tall development as well as the little heritage cottage next to it being completely overshadowed.
It is also a great concern that the native birds and animals will be destroyed. We currently have blue tongue lizards that sun themselves in our garden and with all of the extra traffic, will unlikely be able to survive.
Please refuse permission for this development to go ahead.

I strongly support this proposal.
The reason as to why are the following
1. I support this proposal as it is close to public transportation and shops. We need more housing supply as we are in a housing crisis.
2. It is excellent to see what seems to be an all electric building, saving future residents money & also reducing dependency and use of fossil fuels. Although, it isn't clear if normal electrical or induction cook-tops are to be provided either is preferable in my view over gas cook-tops.

This development is inconsistent with Kuringgai council’s preferred scenario which supports more housing with compromising the integrity of the LGA
This development is next to and opposite heritage listed homes and will destroy the heritage value of these homes and general area
This development is excessive in height (9 storeys/over 30 metres) and size (100 apartments & 128 car spaces) with no consideration for neighbouring properties that are 1-2 storeys causing excessive overshadowing and loss of privacy.
This development has inadequate setbacks and offers no transitional zones
This development is hideous in design and has made no attempt to fit into the existing architectural style of the area
This development is on a dangerous intersection that is Park Avenue and Werona Avenue with traffic trying to access the Pacific Highway and pedestrians crossed to access the railway line which will only be compounded
This development requires the removal of more than 50 established trees impacting local landscape of loss of habitat for native wildlife

I am making this submission directly in relation to SSD 78775458 (Park Street, Gordon), but the same also applies to SSD 83478456 (McIntosh St / Werona Ave, Gordon), as many of the issues are the same. In fact, the negative impacts are exacerbated in the context of the latter proposed development and, hence, I submit that these elements should be considered for both SSDs, notwithstanding the latter is not yet at Exhibition stage.
I object to the project on the following 6 grounds:
1. Impact on Infrastructure – Traffic: Cramming in 128 car spaces and creating the resulting traffic utilising those spaces will be disastrous for the surrounding roads. Gordon already has Park Street getting significantly banked up at the Pacific Hwy interchange, Werona getting dangerously busy around Gordon Station, and the Pacific Hwy itself often gridlocked. Detailed traffic modelling should be done to assess whether the local roads can accommodate such an increase in cars in a concentrated space – I expect the results will confirm the lack of capacity. Regardless, adding this many car spots also goes against a fundamental principal of the TOD itself, i.e. putting people near transport to create “vibrant and walkable communities”. This itself is a compelling reason for the development not proceeding as designed.
2. Impact on Infrastructure – Water & Drainage: Due to its topography and elevation, combined with poor asset condition, the streets around Gordon are regularly subject to drainage issues & flooding, which impacts both the streets and houses in the area. Putting large, concentrated developments amongst the houses without substantial upgrades to the existing infrastructure will worsen conditions and put existing residents' properties at further risk of flood damage. Appropriate studies are required, followed by implementation of infrastructure rectification measures, before such developments as this should be progressed.
3. Impact on Physical Environment: It is well established that replacing trees and green canopy with concrete and steel is adding significantly to climate change. We are fortunate that Gordon is an area that has not seen its green canopy decimated by society before we knew better. Now we know how critical the green canopy is, we should be focussing on solving the housing issues with solutions that don’t further harm the environment, e.g. building in areas that don’t have an existing green canopy rather than destroying the precious green space that exists on the properties subject to this development.
4. Impact on Personal Property: The grotesquely tall 9 storey towers on these developments are incongruous with anything else in the neighbourhood and will dominate the landscape. They will destroy privacy, vistas and serenity for houses not just adjacent to the development but for those surrounding properties within a radius of hundreds of meters (particularly for those downhill). This, combined with the other above-mentioned factors, will result in a substantial deterioration of property values. It is completely inequitable that those selling their properties for these developments and making 10s of millions in profit before leaving the neighbourhood, are doing so at the expense of those left behind. This situation is akin to the transmission line developments in regional NSW, where the Just Terms Compensation Act applies for loss of value. Developments like this should only proceed if all the impacted residents are appropriately compensated – until this is practicable, the development should not proceed.
5. Process is Flawed and Undemocratic: These SSD proposals should be prevented because they are a perverse and egregious manipulation of NSW laws and community norms. The proponents have simply made the development so excessively large and disproportionate to the rest of the neighbourhood to pass the SSD threshold, usurping the Local Council and Community-centred approvals which all residents live by. Further, these developments, with their 9 storey towers, also breach the TOD limit of 22m/six storeys. What is particularly confronting is that the Ku-ring-gai Council has been developing and consulting with the community on producing a solution to address the need for increased housing supply while preserving the area's unique character – developments such as these SSDs attempt to ride roughshod over the democratic process to enrich a few wealthy landowners, and should be prevented as a result.
6. Impact of Social Harmony: Concerns about the above-mentioned factors, particularly in the context of the Local Council running a considered and democratic approach to addressing the NSW housing issues, is creating a huge amount of public angst and social disharmony. If these SSDs progress, the authorities should expect increasing agitation and further community activity to prevent them going ahead. This will be deleterious for the physical and mental health of the community, reputation and processes of Local and State Government agencies, and the reputations of the parties involved in the development. All of which is unnecessary given the other alternatives being progressed by the Council.

Overall, such large developments with hundreds of apartments and 9 storey towers will have a hugely negative impact on the Gordon community. There is no well-considered reason to build them in the proposed locations when there are a multitude of other locations where such large developments would be more sympathetic to the existing neighbourhood, infrastructure and transport links, such as North Sydney, Crows Nest and Chatswood. I urge you to decline these inappropriate SSDs and instead engage with the Ku-ring-gai Council on its more appropriate planning solution to the housing issue.

× Inconsistent with Ku-ring-gai Council’s Preferred Scenario: The proposal blatantly ignores key planning principles and is inconsistent with Council’s Preferred Scenario, supporting new housing without sacrificing our heritage and natural environment, determined following consultation with the community.
× Isolation of Heritage Homes: Positioned adjacent to and opposite heritage sites dating back to the 19th century within a HCA, the development will destroy the heritage value and culture of our neighbourhood.
× Excessive Height and Poor-Quality Design: At a height of 9 storeys (over 30 metres), this will be the tallest structure on the east side of Gordon, causing significant overshadowing and disrupting sightlines with inadequate transition zones and set-backs to adjacent homes and streets whilst reducing the privacy of numerous residences. The design is an extremely poor box type structure lacking any modulation or heritage recognition and will be a hideous stain on Gordon.
× Devastating tree canopy and wildlife impact: This development alone will involve the destruction of at least 50 established trees, impacting the natural landscape and destruction of the habitats of native species such as Kookaburras, Rosellas, Galahs, and Echidnas.
× Traffic and Infrastructure overload: With 100 apartments in this single development, this development together with others to come will compound an already traffic choke point entering the Pacific Highway plus local streets. Further our already strained stormwater, sewerage, transport systems, and parking will suffer further.
× No community benefits: This project offers nothing to the community, instead, it only serves to destroy Gordon's heritage and natural environment.

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed development at 3–9 Park Ave, Gordon (SSD-78775458) on the following grounds:

1. Out of Character with the Heritage and Scale of Gordon

This proposed 9-storey development is entirely inconsistent with the architectural scale, heritage, and community values of Gordon. Located directly adjacent to and opposite designated heritage homes and a recognised Heritage Conservation Area (HCA), its height and bulk will dominate the streetscape and permanently alter the area’s character.

2. Environmental Harm and Threat to Vulnerable Species

This proposal would result in the removal of over 50 mature trees — including critical habitat for native species such as kookaburras, galahs, echidnas, and the grey-headed flying fox, a nationally listed vulnerable species. The loss of these trees not only affects biodiversity but may also violate environmental protections.

3. Strained and Inadequate Infrastructure

The existing infrastructure in Gordon is already at capacity. This development will compound pressure on traffic, sewerage, stormwater, and road systems, particularly around the Pacific Highway. It creates unacceptable public safety risks and raises serious questions about sustainability and long-term serviceability.
4. Poor Design with Significant Visual and Privacy Impacts

The proposed building lacks appropriate design merit. It is a monolithic box structure with minimal setbacks, inadequate transition zones, and no integration with the surrounding built environment. It will cast shadows, reduce privacy, and impose a permanent visual blight on the community.

5. Misuse of SSD Legislation

The use of the State Significant Development (SSD) pathway for this project is inappropriate. There is nothing genuinely 'state significant' about this proposal other than its size and potential profit margin. The SSD pathway is being misused to bypass local oversight and override responsible planning frameworks.

6. No Tangible Community Benefit

This project offers no parks, no facilities, no improvements to infrastructure, and no benefits for the local community. It delivers only burden — environmental, aesthetic, and functional.

7. Conflicts with Council’s Yet-to-Be-Finalised Plan

This development directly conflicts with Ku-ring-gai Council’s Preferred Scenario, which is still under negotiation with the State Government. That scenario is based on community consultation and supports higher density in appropriate areas — without sacrificing Gordon’s heritage or natural environment. This proposal undermines that planning process and seeks to pre-empt the outcome.

In summary, this development is oversized, out-of-place, environmentally damaging, and fundamentally inconsistent with Gordon’s future. I strongly urge the Department to reject this proposal or at the very least refer it to the Independent Planning Commission for full and transparent review.

Sincerely,
David S. Lane esq.

Inconsistent with Ku-ring-gai Council's preferred scenario - The proposal blatantly ignores key planning principles & is inconsistent with Council's preferred scenario, supporting new housing without sacrificing our heritage & natural environment, determined following consultation with the community.

Isolation of heritage homes - Positioned adjacent to & opposite heritage sites dating back to the 19th century within a Heritage Conservation Area, the development will destroy the heritage value & culture of our neighbourhood.

Excessive height & poor-quality design - At a height of 9 storeys (over 30 meters), this will be the tallest structure on the east side of Gordon, causing significant overshadowing & disrupting sightlines with inadequate transition zones & set-backs to adjacent homes & streets whilst reducing the privacy of numerous residences. The design is an extremely poor, box type structure, lacking any modulation or heritage recognition & will be a hideous stain on Gordon.

Devastating tree canopy & wildlife impact - This development alone will involve the destruction of at least 50 established trees, something that Ku-ring-gai prides itself on, impacting the natural landscape & destruction of habitats of native species such as Kookaburras, Rosellas, Galahs & Echidnas.

Traffic & Infrastructure overload - With 100 apartments in this single development, this development, together with others to come, will compound an already problematic traffic choke point entering the Pacific Highway plus local streets. Our local streets area already clogged with parked cars because there isn't enough parking available at the train station. This will just make it worse. Further our already strained stormwater, sewage, transport systems & parking will suffer further.

No community benefits - This project offers nothing to the community, instead it only serves to destroy Gordon's heritage & natural environment.

I support this proposal. Increasing housing density in Sydney is the most efficient way to solve the housing crisis.

Objection to development application for the multi-level development at 3-9 Park Ave, Gordon

I am writing to formally object to the above proposed development in Gordon due to the following.

Isolation of Heritage Homes

The development will impact adversely to the heritage values and culture of the heritage listed homes nearby the proposed development site.

Impact on Local Character

The scale and design of the proposed development are out of keeping with the character of the surrounding area.

Excessive Height

The proposed height of 9 storeys apartment development, if approved, will be the tallest structure on the eastern part of Gordon, causing significant overshadowing and disrupting sightlines with inadequate transition zones and set-backs to adjacent homes and streets and reduce the privacy of numerous nearby residences.

Traffic and Parking Concerns

With over 100 apartments in this single development, the proposed development will worsen traffic congestion on both Pacific Highway and Park Ave and put additional pressure on already limited parking in Gordon station area.

Environmental Impact

Precious tree canopy and vital wildlife habitats will be destroyed. I was informed that the above development alone involves the destruction of over 50 established trees; and the destruction of destruction of habitats of native species including kookaburras, rosellas and echidnas.

Infrastructure Strain

As current infrastructure including stormwater, sewer, transport system and parking are already strained, the proposed development could cause further problems.

In summary, I am not in favour of the above proposed development and I don’t want the approval of the proposed development to be a precedent for more similar developments in the area as the development would negatively affect the amenity of existing residents through privacy, overshadowing, increased noise. This would lower the quality of life for nearby residents.

I am taking this opportunity to express my strong objection to the proposed project at Park Ave, Gordon. Please see the attached for the reasons of my objection. Hope that this is a true consultation in which the voices of Gordon residents can be heard and respected.

Too high, 9 Storeys will be the tallest structure on the east side of Gordon, causing significant overshadowing and disrupting sightlines with inadequate transition zones and set-backs to adjacent homes and streets whilst reducing the privacy
of numerous residences.
Too many people, it will destroy the whole street with few hundred people living small street.

See attachment

The proposal ignores planning principles supporting new housing without sacrificing our heritage and natural environment.
Isolation of Heritage Homes: The development will destroy the heritage value and culture of our neighbourhood.
Excessive Height: At a height of 9 storeys, causing significant overshadowing and disrupting sightlines with inadequate transition zones and set-back to adjacent homes and streets whilst reducing the privacy of numerous residences.
Devastating tree canopy and wildlife impact: The development will destroy over 50 established trees and habitats of native species.
Traffic and Infrastructure overload: There is already a traffic choke point entering the Pacific Highway. Transport system, parking, stormwater and sewerage will suffer further by the development of 100 apartments.

Creating high-density living areas around already over-stretched transport hubs is not practical for anyone. The current infrastructure is barely able to cope with existing demands, let alone large increases in population density.
High rise development will create an immediate and significant increase in use of electricity, gas, water and other essential services such as garbage collection and sewerage, let alone demand for schools and medical services (hospitals, doctors, dentists). Large buildings with flat roofs, lots of glass and expanses of rendered external wall surfaces act as heat sinks, unable to passively control internal temperatures, and are known to use more energy cooling the internal environment compared to smaller-scale buildings. All flats will be fully air-conditioned, and as there are no external clothes lines, all flats will be equipped with electric clothes dryers. Elevators will be necessary as will extensive safety and security lighting. This proposal will therefore place additional strain on already at-capacity services
It is a myth that living next to transport means cars are not an essential need. There are grossly inadequate parking provisions in the proposal. Currently, without high rise blocks of flats, there is morning and afternoon traffic chaos around Gordon station and the access to Pacific Hwy along Park Ave and Werona Ave. As the intended occupiers of these flats will need to use neighbouring streets as overflow parking, rail commuter parking will be pushed further out into surrounding streets. Currently this extends over a kilometre from the station.
The character (amenity, heritage) of the area will be destroyed. Heritage homes will be isolated and overlooked – the green streetscape will be lost forever.
This proposal is creating Asian style cities and the first step in building the slums of tomorrow.

This high density development will generate the same poor health outcomes that people get in Chatswood's high density developments: continual ill-health due to overcrowding, disturbed diurnal rhythms leading to poor sleep, heightened aggression. The fact that people living in these 9+ storey developments move out much more quickly than smaller developments indicates these developments are not desirable. In addition, there is already no commuter parking available near the Gordon station after 7am on weekdays: this is already causing dangerous roads because of commuter cars parked on both sides of residential streets. When the buses run on these same streets, traffic completely stops while the buses use the entire remaining space. There is already traffic grid-lock coming out of the Gordon multi-deck carpark opposite the Police Station from morning peak hour until after dinner times. It's largely impossible to get a parking spot at Woolies: we generally walk there (45 mins return) with small bags. There is already a long wait (days) to see a local doctor due to overcrowding and poor health caused by the existing developments. There is no point doing a development that is going to end up in protracted legal costs because Council does not support it.

Inconsistent with the Council's preferred plan and will overshadow and nearby heritage homes. The height is excessive, with no set backs or graduation. Cheap design, which doesn't appear to consider climate or location. Destruction of about 50 established trees - this gradual decline in our environment is shameful and has huge impacts on native animal habitat. Why can't this wait until the preferred Council proposal?

As a resident of Highlands Avenue Gordon, I STRONGLY OBJECT to the imposition of a 30-meter-high, 100-apartment building at 3-9 Park Avenue, Gordon, by developer CPDM, who is seeking approval for this development as a 'State Significant Development'.

This building is entirely inconsistent with the heritage area and historical values of Gordon and will disrupt the quiet suburban character of the adjacent and surrounding areas. We are looking at a potential precedent that will see the North Shore and its character obliterated by multiple poorly planned and positioned high-rise developments.

I note the key issues are:
* isolation of heritage homes - you can't build old houses! - and the heritage and cultural values of homes dating back to the 19th century are surely worth preserving.
* This development is inconsistent with the preferred scenario of the Ku-ring-gai council, which is to support new housing with minimal sacrifice to heritage and our natural environment.
* This new build will see the destruction of over 50 established trees and wildlife habitats.
* With 100 APARTMENTS! in this single development (with presumably more to come), the traffic block up from Pearson Avenue into Park Street and onto the Pacific Highway / Werona Avenue will be a complete disaster! There is already a choke point at those intersections during the morning peak. With an extra 128 car spaces in this development, so presumably near to an extra 128 cars each day, our suburban streets will become unbearable.
* There is NO community benefit to this huge development, positioned as it is on the ridge line immediately adjacent to heritage homes without adequate setbacks from the street.
* Again, this proposal blatantly ignores key planning principles and is totally inconsistent with the Council's Preferred Scenario.
Yours sincerely,
Jan Handel

I am writing because i am concerned about the impact of this project on multiple levels, and believe the developer has used a loophole under the major state project category, to bypass reasonable scrutiny. This project contributes little to affordable housing but will have an enormous impact on the area

The proposed building is huge in height and in a location, close to the top of a hill where is will be an eyesore and provide an unpleasant contrast with the neighbourhood. Further a tall building in this location will make it easier for other to place building of excessive height near by. It is the complete antithesis of Ku-ring-gai council development blueprint and NSW governments guidelines for the area

Traffic is already heavy in the Park Ave area especially for people accessing the highway or Gordon Shops. This development will generate traffic chaos

The development of this size will have a significant impact on tree cover and wildlife of the area for which Gordon is justifiably well known

The development will be totally out of character with the area and will be a dangerous precedent for other developments in the area. It is positioned opposite an important heritage site in Gordon and will have a major impact on that heritage value

It will bring in a very large number of people without providing infrastructure to support them and will have a major adverse impact on the gordon community with marginal if any benefit. This proposal should go through normal Ku-ring-gai council planning processes and not use tricks to bypass these processes

Preferred scenario has been approved by Council and Council’s legal challenge against the TOD SEPP was before the Land and Environment Court for directions on 9 May 2025. The Court was requested to adjourn the matter for further directions, without allocating a hearing date as yet. The matter has been listed for further directions on 1 August 2025. Since this matter is still in progress, this proposal cannot be continued. Furthermore:
This proposal ignores key planning principle above.
This proposal ignores heritage homes adjacent and opposite the site
Traffic will be overloaded with access to pacific highway from Park Avenue