Residential flat buildings with infill affordable housing -10, 14 and 14a Stanhope Road, Killara

There are critically endangered Sydney Blue Gum trees on the site, which are at risk if the development proceeds.

Stanhope Road is one of Killara’s most important Heritage areas. This development takes little or no consideration of heritage issues and/or the heritage homes at 1A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12 and 18 Stanhope Road, which surrounded the proposed site. The Heritage Impact Statement has fundamental flaws.

I live in the 60-unit Springdale development at 10 Marian St Killara and wish to protest in the strongest possible terms against the proposed development at 10, 14 and 14A Stanhope Road Killara. It is completely unsuitable for our area and contravenes both the Government’s TOD scheme and Ku-ring-gai Council’s proposed TOD alternative.
Not only is it taller than allowed under both housing schemes, its impact on our apartment complex – which has been described in State Parliament as the best apartment complex on the Upper North Shore – would be devastating.

The Government’s aim was to develop low/medium-rise buildings around transport hubs. A medium rise building is generally categorised by the NSW government as a 3-6 story building which this development exceeds and is therefore a high-rise development which is completely incompatible with the locality and hence, is not in the public interest. The mass and scale of this development is totally out of proportion to the street and suburb in general. Additionally, council would need to improve connections in the area as this development adding an extra 140+ homes which, in addition to other apartment blocks that have been built will significantly harm pedestrian, vehicular, and cyclist traffic.

Additionally, this set of buildings has been designed in poor taste in alignment with local heritage and environment. This site presents unique opportunities in its set back and lower topography near the rear of the site that could result in beautifully designed homes that integrate more seamlessly with nature and respect the site that could greater benefit the whole community.

 Finally, there are critically endangered Sydney Blue Gum trees on the site, which are at risk if the development proceeds.

Submission from Concerned Long Time Resident – Objection to Proposed Development on Stanhope Road, Killara
I am writing to formally object to the proposed development on Stanhope Road, Killara, due to its significant and unacceptable breaches of planning controls and its detrimental impact on the surrounding community and infrastructure. My concerns are outlined below
1. Breach of Height Restrictions and Incompatibility with Zoning Objectives
The proposed development exceeds the allowable height for the R2 Low Rise Residential Zoning by nearly four times and also surpasses the maximum height permitted under the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Housing SEPP program by over 22%. These are not minor variances—they represent a fundamental disregard for the planning instruments designed to protect the character and liveability of residential areas.
The Government’s stated objective for TOD Housing SEPP is to encourage low to medium-rise developments around transport hubs, not high-density towers. A 10-storey building in this location is completely inconsistent with both the letter and intent of these guidelines. It would establish a dangerous precedent for future non-compliant developments and is clearly not in the public interest.
2. Overburdening of Local Infrastructure
The introduction of a high-rise development of this scale into a low-density residential area places unacceptable pressure on existing community infrastructure. Local schools are already operating at or near capacity. An influx of new residents from a high-density building would likely overwhelm enrolment capacities, leading to larger class sizes and reduced educational quality.
Similarly, local healthcare services—including general practitioners, specialists, and emergency services—are not equipped to absorb the increased demand that would result from such a development. There is no evidence that any additional support for public health services is planned to accompany this proposal.
Traffic congestion and parking shortages in the area are also of serious concern. Stanhope Road and its surrounding streets are already narrow and heavily used. An increase in population density of this magnitude would lead to significant traffic disruptions, pose risks to pedestrian safety, and exacerbate existing parking shortages, particularly around heritage homes and local amenities.
3. Damage to Community Character and Heritage Values
Stanhope Road is one of Killara’s most significant heritage precincts, with numerous homes of historic value located at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 17 and 18 Stanhope Road. The proposed development fails to appropriately consider these heritage assets and would significantly undermine the established character of the neighbourhood. The height, bulk, and modern form of the proposed building are completely at odds with the architectural context and heritage values of the area.
4. Visual Impact, Overshadowing, and Amenity Loss
More than 50 nearby homes would suffer from severe visual intrusion, overshadowing, and loss of privacy and amenity. The towering structure would dominate the skyline, block natural sunlight, and negatively affect the day-to-day quality of life for long-term residents who chose to live in a low-density, heritage-rich environment.
5. Inadequate Community Engagement and Transparency
Community consultation for this project was gravely deficient. Many residents were not informed of the proposal until well after its lodgement on 9th May, and the “drop-in” session held by the developer on 3rd April was poorly attended due to inadequate notification. This violates the principles of fair and transparent community engagement and has prevented residents from having a meaningful opportunity to review, understand, and respond to the proposal.
6. Flawed and Incomplete Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
The EIS submitted by the developer contains numerous inconsistencies and omissions. Key information regarding the true scale of the development and the level of affordable housing proposed is unclear or missing. This lack of transparency makes it impossible for the community to properly assess the impacts of the project.
In summary - given the substantial breaches of planning controls, the strain on community infrastructure, the irreversible impact on heritage and amenity, and the failure of the community engagement process, this proposal must be rejected in its current form. The developer should be required to withdraw the current application, as this building is not suitable on Stanhope Road
Sincerely,
Stuart Mears

The height of the proposed buildings is excessive given the surrounding suburban environment and will impact severely on the ambience of the neighbourhood. in addition, there will be a significant loss of privacy and the shadows cast by these proposed blocks of units will affect the long established plant life. Stanhope Road is already an extremely busy road where parking is a premium which makes the strain that this extra traffic will effect untenable.

I have been a resident at 10 Marian Street Killara since 2009 and I strongly object to high rise buildings of 10 or 11 storeys being built in Stanhope Road very close to the boundary of 10 Marian Street apartments. Our privacy will be impacted which is totally unacceptable. The stormwater discharge proposal through 10 Marian Street is unacceptable. There is high risk the row of Leylandii trees which form a screening hedge will suffer root damage during construction, again privacy will be lost. There is no town centre in Killara so the impact of traffic on local roads would be enormous. Allowing 195 car spaces so close to the station defeats the purpose of building high rise near Killara station.

The proposed plan is totally inappropriate for the sight because of the size of the development.
It will have a disastrous effect on storm water which is likely to impact on my building.
The hight of the building has been incorrectly designed
The plan to increase density of dwellings between the Highway and the railway will lead to a significant increase in traffic on the Highway Archbold Rd and Fiddenswarf Rd
Killara is a residential suburb with no shopping facilities ,cafes, libraries therefore more cars on the roads to access these facilities.
I have lived at my present address for 16 years and for over 50 years in Killara I believe the plan to put anything more than 5 stories in this area is a rapacious pursuit of housing density without due diligence
A required percentage of green space should be required of developers in order to protect the environment
I hope the NSW Government will look favourably on this submission

Stanhope road is a road with countless federation and heritage listed houses. This proposal impedes on natural sunlight to surrounding areas for many properties and will destroy the nature of the road . Despite now living outside of this area, I have spent everyday besides the last year in that area and it ruins the communal aspect.

The proposal is for 135 apartments and 195 car spaces across 10 storeys. The amximiamum height of any building in Killara is currently 5 storeys. This will significantly change the character and heritage context of the street. The proposal significantly breaches the height limits for the R2 Low Rise Residential Zoning (by almost 4 times) and breaches the heights allowed under the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program by over 22%.
The Government’s aim was to develop low/medium-rise buildings around transport hubs. This is a high-rise development which is completely incompatible with the locality and hence, is not in the public interest. The mass and scale of this development is totally out of proportion to the street and suburb in general.

I've been visiting this area since 2013 as my sister lives on Stanhope Road. I know the area well and have always admired the heritage listed architecture found on this street. I was shocked to be informed of such a large scale residential complex to be built in this area. Especially since it will involve the demolition of several heritage homes. The environmental impacts from this proposal will also be devastating. There are critically endangered Sydney Blue Gum trees on the site, which are at risk if the development proceeds. With the proposal listing more than 150 car spaces the increased traffic will be unimaginable and quite possibly dangerous entering and exiting from the Pacific Highway. I urge you to consider the points against this development and help maintain one of Sydneys finest heritage zones. Regards, Theodore

General Comments:
The NSW in-fill affordable housing provisions “ require the consent authority to consider the character of the local area or the desired future character for areas under transition.”
By accepting the proposed scale of this project, the consent authority would ignore the character of the area. Densified and affordable housing is acceptable, but this project is overkill, being too high and imposing on the neighbourhood.
We accept the need and intent of the TOD to increase the density of housing and supply of affordable housing around Killara Station. However, that should not be a licence to trash the character of the area and needs to be a sensitive development. This proposal is inappropriately out of scale for the battle-axe site and its surroundings.
If the development is to proceed, we request the consent authority rejects this architectural form and requires a lower maximum height, and reduces the number of apartments to a sustainable scale. That revised architecture would hopefully address:
• the need for a greater set-back from the rear neighbours;
• require less excavation;
• provide some vehicular access at ground level to the rear buildings for fire and services access; and
• some on grade visitor parking

Build Form
The proposed maximum height of 35 m is excessive and would adversely impact all adjacent 39 apartments at 10 Marian Street, along the northern boundary.
The developer is attempting to use the Affordable Housing provisions to grossly over-develop the site, presumably for maximum profitability, and in the process totally disregards the character of the Killara neighbourhood. At the very least the Variation Request must be denied.
Stepping down the maximum height towards Stanhope Road may minimise the visual impact of the massive development when viewed from street level, but this completely ignores the impact on existing residents of 10 Marian Street.
Traffic and Parking impact
The increased traffic will increase danger, congestion and on-street parking.
The Proposal includes an estimate of around 20,000 tonnes of demolition and excavation material to be trucked off the site. This would have to use Culworth Avenue, which is not up to standard or safe.
Stanhope Road already carries heavy am and pm traffic. Access to and from the Pacific Highway at Stanhope Road is already at capacity and is unsafe. The additional burden of construction traffic and a further addition of 168 resident cars plus 27 visitor spaces would create an increased traffic and safety problem. The carparking proposed is scaled back for the TOD concessions but it is unlikely to be adequate for a development with a large number of 3- and 4-bedroom apartments, where typically, owners have more than one car. The basement level of visitor carparking is inconvenient and is likely to result in visitors parking on the street in Stanhope Road, which because of being parked out, would inevitably result in council imposing future parking restrictions – again, a retrograde and unnecessary consequence for the local community.
Stormwater
Increased stormwater runoff. The proposed increase in site coverage would result in a serious increase in stormwater runoff, particularly in the event of a major storm event. This has the real potential to cause flooding of neighbouring property, particularly 10 Marian Street, which Council plans indicate is in a potential flood zone. The stormwater Trunk Main passing through 10 Marian Street is already compromised, given its pipe size reduces as it flows towards Culworth Avenue. There is a real risk of blockages and consequential flow would rise out of the manholes causing an above ground flow and flood, with certain flooding of the basement in Marian Street.
Screening
Potential loss of existing Leylandii tree hedging. The existing significant Leylandii trees along the northern boundary of the proposed development provide residents of 10 Marian Street with an effective visual screening of the Stanhope Road properties. It unfortunately would cause significant shading to the lower level Block C residents under the current architectural proposal, and so we are concerned about its protection and longevity.
Whatever the final outcome of the Development Application, it is essential that all assurances given by the developer regarding retention of these trees are rigidly enforced. The reality is that such developers provide comforting assurances but then totally disregard them during construction and thereafter at minimal financial penalty. Serious penalties must be included in any consent approvals for any breach of the landscape plans.

The proposed SSD for residential development at 10, 14 & 14a Stanhope Rd does not reflect the local character, community needs, and environmental qualities of Killara as someone who has lived here for 8 years. Firstly, the proposed development does not meet the design standards of the area, in which most houses around are heritage homes, we must protect the area from development and not undermine the long standing conservation efforts of the neighbourhood. The design lacks harmony and with the heritage elements present in Stanhope Rd, and appears generic and unsympathetic to the existing streetscape. The height is also not appropriate for the location, as it would lead lead to a stark contrast with the existing buildings, and undermines the leafy character of the area, which is why most chose to live in killara. Traffic is already an issue on Stanhope Rd, with the narrow streets it is commonly a place of near misses from oncoming traffic and if residence were to all park on the street it would exacerbate these already ongoing issues. It would be such a shame to also lose the established trees in the area, which play a pivotal role in maintaining the beauty and air quality of the area. This proposal does not align with the planning principles or community expectations for Stanhope Rd. I urge to consider the respects of local character, heritage, environment and the values of our neighbourhood

I am objecting to the proposed development at 10, 14, 14A Stanhope Road Killara.

I have lived on Stanhope Road since 2013, and it remains my family home. I feel very concerned that a development like the proposed one could go ahead and destroy the essential character of our neighbourhood.

As a young person, I appreciate the need for more options for housing. However, it needs to be done sympathetically to the character, design, infrastructure and amenities of the local area.

I object to the proposed development on the following grounds:

This is a high-rise development, which is completely incompatible with the locality and hence, is not in the public interest.

There is a real threat that critically endangered trees will be removed or damaged in the process of demolition of the existing structures.

The development disrespects the charm and character of Killara, and the size is disproportionate to anything else in Killara.

The heritage of the street and the heritage conservation area is not fully appreciated and would be severely impacted.

The traffic would be increased massively with 195 extra car spaces in that development. This is a safety concern. There are no pedestrian crossings along Stanhope Road or Culworth Ave - making it dangerous to access the station with the increased traffic.

As a young woman, I would be terribly concerned from a safety perspective if the pedestrian access to the new development is only along the current driveway to 10 Stanhope Road. A long, dark, narrow access point provides an unsafe zone, especially at night.

General Comments:
The NSW in-fill affordable housing provisions “ require the consent authority to consider the character of the local area or the desired future character for areas under transition.”
By accepting the proposed scale of this project, the consent authority would ignore the character of the area. Densified and affordable housing is acceptable, but this project is overkill, being too high and imposing on the neighbourhood.
We accept the need and intent of the TOD to increase the density of housing and supply of affordable housing around Killara Station. However, that should not be a licence to trash the character of the area and needs to be a sensitive development. This proposal is inappropriately out of scale for the battle-axe site and its surroundings.
If the development is to proceed, we request the consent authority rejects this architectural form and requires a lower maximum height, and reduces the number of apartments to a sustainable scale. That revised architecture would hopefully address:
• the need for a greater set-back from the rear neighbours;
• require less excavation;
• provide some vehicular access at ground level to the rear buildings for fire and services access; and
• some on grade visitor parking

Build Form
The proposed maximum height of 35 m is excessive and would adversely impact all adjacent 39 apartments at 10 Marian Street, along the northern boundary.
The developer is attempting to use the Affordable Housing provisions to grossly over-develop the site, presumably for maximum profitability, and in the process totally disregards the character of the Killara neighbourhood. At the very least the Variation Request must be denied.
Stepping down the maximum height towards Stanhope Road may minimise the visual impact of the massive development when viewed from street level, but this completely ignores the impact on existing residents of 10 Marian Street.
Traffic and Parking impact
The increased traffic will increase danger, congestion and on-street parking.
The Proposal includes an estimate of around 20,000 tonnes of demolition and excavation material to be trucked off the site. This would have to use Culworth Avenue, which is not up to standard or safe.
Stanhope Road already carries heavy am and pm traffic. Access to and from the Pacific Highway at Stanhope Road is already at capacity and is unsafe. The additional burden of construction traffic and a further addition of 168 resident cars plus 27 visitor spaces would create an increased traffic and safety problem. The carparking proposed is scaled back for the TOD concessions but it is unlikely to be adequate for a development with a large number of 3- and 4-bedroom apartments, where typically, owners have more than one car. The basement level of visitor carparking is inconvenient and is likely to result in visitors parking on the street in Stanhope Road, which because of being parked out, would inevitably result in council imposing future parking restrictions – again, a retrograde and unnecessary consequence for the local community.
Stormwater
Increased stormwater runoff. The proposed increase in site coverage would result in a serious increase in stormwater runoff, particularly in the event of a major storm event. This has the real potential to cause flooding of neighbouring property, particularly 10 Marian Street, which Council plans indicate is in a potential flood zone. The stormwater Trunk Main passing through 10 Marian Street is already compromised, given its pipe size reduces as it flows towards Culworth Avenue. There is a real risk of blockages and consequential flow would rise out of the manholes causing an above ground flow and flood, with certain flooding of the basement in Marian Street.
Screening
Potential loss of existing Leylandii tree hedging. The existing significant Leylandii trees along the northern boundary of the proposed development provide residents of 10 Marian Street with an effective visual screening of the Stanhope Road properties. It unfortunately would cause significant shading to the lower level Block C residents under the current architectural proposal, and so we are concerned about its protection and longevity.
Whatever the final outcome of the Development Application, it is essential that all assurances given by the developer regarding retention of these trees are rigidly enforced. The reality is that such developers provide comforting assurances but then totally disregard them during construction and thereafter at minimal financial penalty. Serious penalties must be included in any consent approvals for any breach of the landscape plans.
..

I have attached my objectiosn to the project. I strongly object to numerous aspects of the oversized development which is not in keeping with the area nor the Kui ring gai proposal which I support

Please refer attachment.
The project is contrary to Ku ring gai 's proposal which provides more housing in the right areas without having a major impact on our community. Nobody is against development but it needs to be managed with regard to the existing neighbourhood. One size does not fit all. The planning needs to be flexible and sympathetic to the area.

I wish to object to this development proposal for the following reasons:

My family bought our property at 6A Stanhope Rd in 1960, that now being a total of 65 years in our family. It was purchased for its peacefulness, and location, surrounded by other special properties including some heritage houses and many beautiful trees. I spent my growing up years at this property with my siblings and parents. I moved back into the family home in 1998 with my family after my parents downsized and a second generation grew up there. To see the proposed changes to the street and these 3 blocks, adjoining our property, is absolutely devastating to me and my family. Ku-ring-gai has always been known for it’s trees and beautiful homes - to do what is planned in many streets around Roseville, Lindfield, Killara and Gordon is greatly upsetting to us as well as family and friends.

The issues I have are many and the planned proposal involves excessive height, overshadowing and loss of privacy to us and surrounding properties. The proposed development will not fit in amongst heritage houses and will ruin this beautiful street. It is way above the recommended height proposed by the council by at least 3 fold. The proposed height of 35 m is even in excess of that allowed by TOD. Another concern is an overload on the infrastructure - roads, schools and hospitals. Stanhope Rd. is already an overused street as heavy traffic diverts from the highway - this development will not help the situation!

I understand that extra housing is needed around transport hubs and believe that the extra apartment blocks should be closer to the commercial areas with train stations and be higher in those areas. We are aware of other developments being proposed, some of which are in these commercial areas and possibly more acceptable. This Stanhope Rd. development is not one of them and it upsets me and my family enormously!

Formal Objection to Proposed Development

I hereby lodge my objection to the proposed development on the following grounds:
1. Excessive Height and Breach of Zoning Controls
The proposed building significantly exceeds the maximum height prescribed for R2 Low Density Residential Zoning, surpassing the limit by nearly four times. It also exceeds the height parameters outlined in the Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) proposal by more than 22%. Such an increase is inconsistent with both the intent and letter of current planning instruments and represents a substantial overdevelopment of the site.
2. Adverse Impacts on Neighbouring Properties and Streetscape
The development’s scale and bulk are entirely out of character with the existing built form along Stanhope Road, which currently contains no unit blocks. The proposal would cause substantial overshadowing, loss of privacy, and significant visual disruption to neighbouring properties, including several heritage-listed dwellings. More than 50 surrounding residences in all cardinal directions would be adversely affected.
3. Incompatibility with Strategic Planning Objectives
While the NSW Government supports increased density near transport hubs through low- to mid-rise development, the proposed high-rise is incompatible with the local context and undermines the strategic intent of such initiatives. It does not serve the public interest and contradicts the Ku-ring-gai Council’s Preferred Scenario, which stipulates a 12-metre maximum building height for this precinct.
4. Overburdening of Community Infrastructure and Services
Approval of this development would exacerbate existing strain on public infrastructure, including local schools—many of which are already operating above their enrolment capacity—as well as healthcare and other essential community services.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that this development application be refused in its current form.

My name is Anne Rands, of 56/10 Marian St, Killara, and I would like to object to the proposed development of 10,14 and 14a Stanhope Rd Killara. (appl no SSD-81890707) for the following reasons:

1. The height of the rear block is in excess of council guidelines and is situated far too close to the boundary. This will affect not only our privacy but also very probably the health of the boundary fence consisting of mature leylandii trees, which currently provide a very necessary screen between the two properties.

2. 135 apartments will contribute at least 135 more cars into an already severely congested roadway. Stanhope Rd is a two lane road, often densely parked. Stanhope Rd is the major route, along with Culworth Ave south, which leads off Stanhope Rd, as the only access for residents of Marian St when approaching from the south. (There is no right turn access to Marian St from the Pacific Highway.) Culworth Ave south is a narrow road which is reduced to one lane when parking restrictions are not in force. It also carries buses used when trackwork closes the rail line, and is subject to flooding during rainy periods. Over a period of fifteen years four large developments have been erected in Culworth Ave south but the council has done absolutely nothing in the way of widening it or improving the drainage. The prospect of considerably more traffic using this dangerous cart track is alarming.

It is clearly inappropriate to build such a large-scale residential community in a small-scale community like this one at present.
This will destroy the current foundation of various resources and humanistic elements.