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

Objection to Proposed Development at 10, 14 & 14a Stanhope Road

Dear Sir/Madam,

As someone who’s lived in this area for a long time, I feel I need to speak up about the proposed development on Stanhope Road. This project is a big step away from the planning rules that have helped make our area such a great place to live.

The Height Is Way Over the Limit

The proposed building is 10 storeys high—almost four times what’s allowed for this low-rise residential zone (R2). On top of that, it goes more than 22% over the height limit set by the Government’s TOD Housing SEPP program. These aren’t small changes—they’re major breaches of what’s supposed to be allowed. The TOD guidelines are meant for low to medium-rise buildings around transport hubs, not high-rise towers like this one. A building of this size just doesn’t belong in this neighbourhood.

It Will Put a Lot of Pressure on Local Services

Apart from ignoring the rules, this development would add more pressure to local infrastructure, which is already under stress:

Schools are already full or close to it. Adding many more families in one spot would only make that worse.
Healthcare in the area is limited. With more people moving in, it’ll be even harder for locals—especially older residents—to get timely care.
Traffic and parking are already a problem on Stanhope Road and nearby streets. A development of this size would bring more cars, more congestion, and more frustration for everyone.
Community life would be affected too. This is a peaceful area, and dropping a high-rise building in the middle of it would completely change the character of the street and how people live here.
In short, this development is too big, in the wrong place, and puts too much strain on the community. I ask that you reject this proposal and protect the neighbourhood we all value so much.

Kind regards,
A concerned local resident

Letter of Objection – Proposed Development at Stanhope Road, Killara

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed development on 10, 14 & 14a Stanhope Road.

The proposed 10-storey building significantly breaches the planning rules. It is almost four times the permitted height for the R2 Low Rise Residential Zoning, and it also exceeds the height limit under the TOD Housing SEPP by more than 22%. These are not small variations—they are major breaches that completely ignore the intent of these planning controls. The Government’s aim with the TOD program was to encourage low to medium-rise buildings near transport hubs. This high-rise development does not fit that goal and is clearly out of place in this quiet, low-rise residential area.

In addition, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted by the developer is not acceptable. It contains many contradictions and missing details, including unclear information about the true size of the project and how much affordable housing is actually planned. The document is difficult to understand, and it does not give residents enough information to properly assess the proposal or its impacts.

A development of this scale, based on an incomplete and confusing EIS, should not be allowed to proceed. I ask that this proposal be rejected, and that any future plans follow the proper rules and respect the character of our community.

Thank you for considering my concerns.

Sincerely,
Beverly Allen

The proposal significantly breaches the height limits for the R2 Low Rise Residential Zoning (by almost 4 times) and also breaches the heights allowed under the 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.
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 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12 and 18 Stanhope Road., which surround the proposed site.
The development has a combination of huge visual impacts, overshadowing, loss of privacy and loss of amenity issues for more than 50 residences directly to the north, south, east and west of the proposed development.
The Community Engagement on this project was not undertaken correctly. Hence, many residents were unaware of the proposal until well after its lodgement on 9th May on the SSD site. As a result residents and other interested parties have not had sufficient time to adequately read, understand and respond to the proposal. The lack of numbers at the developer’s so called “drop-in” session on 3rd April reinforce the breach of the community engagement process.
The Developer’s EIS submission contains multiple major contradictions and omissions. It is impossible to understand the actual size and scale of the proposed development as well as what level of benefit the affordable housing is proposed. It needs to be fixed and the process recommenced from the beginning to give residents a chance to understand same.

Buildings will cause shadowing and will exceed the TOD proposal by over 22%.
Ku-ring-gai Council's preferred scenario of maximum height of 12 meters rather than 35 meters proposed in this application.
Infrastructure including roads, water, electricity is already inadequate without the numerous units which are proposed.
Schools to maximum capacity, medical and other health services.
Parks and green space will be compromised.
Parking for commuters by rail is inadequate.

- significant breach of height limits for R2 Low Rise Residential
- goal/aim of the government was to increase affordable and low to medium rise housing near transport hubs. This proposed development will be NEITHER affordable or low to medium rise
- there is nothing even close to this massive scale of development in Killara or surrounding suburbs, so it is out of character and proportion
- community engagement on this project was NOT undertaken legally

I object to this development on the following grounds:

1. Excessive height compared with the surrounding buildings causing shadowing, loss of privacy and visual changes not in keeping with the existing street scape of Stanhope Road. The height proposed actually exceeds the TOD proposal by over 22% and significantly breaches the height limits for the R2 Low Rise Residential Zoning (by almost 4 times).

2. The development isolates and towers over adjacent homes some of which are Heritage listed. Stanhope Road currently has no unit blocks so the change will be dramatic. The overshadowing, loss of privacy and loss of amenity issues affect more than 50 residences directly to the north, south, east and west of the proposed development. While 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.

3. Not consistent with the Ku-ring-gai Council’s Preferred Scenario which recommends a maximum height of 12 meters in this area rather than the 35 meters proposed in this application.

4. Cause further overloading of services including local schools (enrolments in numerous schools in Ku-ring-gai already above their maximum designated maximum numbers) as well as medical and other health services.

5. Stanhope Road is already parked out on both sides and is actually quite narrow. This means that even now traffic passing in opposite directions in the street does not actually fit. This street will be totally impassable with tradie vehicles and then the new residents and visitors once the proposed development would be completed.

On the grounds this is in a Heritage conservation area

I object to this development on the following grounds :

1. Excessive height compared with the surrounding buildings causing shadowing, loss of privacy and visual changes not in keeping with the existing street scape of Stanhope Road. The height proposed actually exceeds the TOD proposal by over 22% and significantly breaches the height limits for the R2 Low Rise Residential Zoning (by almost 4 times).

2. The development isolates and towers over adjacent homes some of which are Heritage listed. Stanhope Road currently has no unit blocks so the change will be dramatic. The overshadowing, loss of privacy and loss of amenity issues affect more than 50 residences directly to the north, south, east and west of the proposed development. While 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.

3. Not consistent with the Ku-ring-gai Council’s Preferred Scenario which recommends a maximum height of 12 meters in this area rather than the 35 meters proposed in this application.
Cause further overloading of services including local schools (enrolments in numerous schools in Ku-ring-gai already above their maximum designated maximum numbers) as well as medical and other health services.

4. Cause further overloading of services including local schools (enrolments in numerous schools in Ku-ring-gai already above their maximum designated maximum numbers) as well as medical and other health services.

5. Stanhope Road is already parked out on both sides and is actually quite narrow. This means that even now traffic passing in opposite directions in the street does not actually fit. This street will be totally impassable with tradie vehicles and then the new residents and visitors once the proposed development would be completed.

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.
• 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 surround the proposed site. The Heritage Impact Statement has fundamental flaws.
• The development has a combination of huge visual impacts, overshadowing, loss of privacy and loss of amenity issues for more than 50 residences directly to the north, south, east and west of the proposed development.
• The Community Engagement on this project was not undertaken correctly. Hence, many residents were unaware of the proposal until well after its lodgement on 9th May on the SSD site. As a result, residents and other interested parties have not had sufficient time to adequately read, understand and respond to the proposal. The lack of numbers at the developer’s so called “drop-in” session on 3rd April reinforce the breach of the community engagement process.
• There are critically endangered Sydney Blue Gum trees on the site, which are at risk if the development proceeds.
• The deep soil of 7% is far below the Ku-ring-gai Council required amount.
• The Developer’s EIS submission contains multiple major contradictions and omissions. It is impossible to understand the actual size and scale of the proposed development as well as what level of benefit the affordable housing is proposed. It needs to be fixed, and the process recommenced from the beginning to give residents a chance to understand same.

I support the project

• 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.
• 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 surround the proposed site. The Heritage Impact Statement has fundamental flaws.
• The development has a combination of huge visual impacts, overshadowing, loss of privacy and loss of amenity issues for more than 50 residences directly to the north, south, east and west of the proposed development.
• The Community Engagement on this project was not undertaken correctly. Hence, many residents were unaware of the proposal until well after its lodgement on 9th May on the SSD site. As a result, residents and other interested parties have not had sufficient time to adequately read, understand and respond to the proposal. The lack of numbers at the developer’s so called “drop-in” session on 3rd April reinforce the breach of the community engagement process.
• There are critically endangered Sydney Blue Gum trees on the site, which are at risk if the development proceeds.
• The deep soil of 7% is far below the Ku-ring-gai Council required amount.
• The Developer’s EIS submission contains multiple major contradictions and omissions. It is impossible to understand the actual size and scale of the proposed development as well as what level of benefit the affordable housing is proposed. It needs to be fixed, and the process recommenced from the beginning to give residents a chance to understand same.

• 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.
• 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 surround the proposed site. The Heritage Impact Statement has fundamental flaws.
• The development has a combination of huge visual impacts, overshadowing, loss of privacy and loss of amenity issues for more than 50 residences directly to the north, south, east and west of the proposed development.
• The Community Engagement on this project was not undertaken correctly. Hence, many residents were unaware of the proposal until well after its lodgement on 9th May on the SSD site. As a result, residents and other interested parties have not had sufficient time to adequately read, understand and respond to the proposal. The lack of numbers at the developer’s so called “drop-in” session on 3rd April reinforce the breach of the community engagement process.
• There are critically endangered Sydney Blue Gum trees on the site, which are at risk if the development proceeds.
• The deep soil of 7% is far below the Ku-ring-gai Council required amount.
• The Developer’s EIS submission contains multiple major contradictions and omissions. It is impossible to understand the actual size and scale of the proposed development as well as what level of benefit the affordable housing is proposed. It needs to be fixed, and the process recommenced from the beginning to give residents a chance to understand same.

There are more but these are the major issues.

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.
• 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 surround the proposed site. The Heritage Impact Statement has fundamental flaws.
• The development has a combination of huge visual impacts, overshadowing, loss of privacy and loss of amenity issues for more than 50 residences directly to the north, south, east and west of the proposed development.
• The Community Engagement on this project was not undertaken correctly. Hence, many residents were unaware of the proposal until well after its lodgement on 9th May on the SSD site. As a result, residents and other interested parties have not had sufficient time to adequately read, understand and respond to the proposal. The lack of numbers at the developer’s so called “drop-in” session on 3rd April reinforce the breach of the community engagement process.
• There are critically endangered Sydney Blue Gum trees on the site, which are at risk if the development proceeds.
• The deep soil of 7% is far below the Ku-ring-gai Council required amount.
• The Developer’s EIS submission contains multiple major contradictions and omissions. It is impossible to understand the actual size and scale of the proposed development as well as what level of benefit the affordable housing is proposed. It needs to be fixed, and the process recommenced from the beginning to give residents a chance to understand same.

• 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 surround the proposed site. The Heritage Impact Statement has fundamental flaws.
• The development has a combination of huge visual impacts, overshadowing, loss of privacy and loss of amenity issues for more than 50 residences directly to the north, south, east and west of the proposed development.

Dear Government
We appreciate the Government’s broader vision to encourage housing around transport hubs. However, the proposed development on Stanhope Road raises serious concerns that we believe need closer attention. PLease read below ....

Most notably, the height of the building is well beyond what’s allowed under current planning controls. The proposal exceeds the R2 Low Rise Residential Zoning limits by almost four times, and even under the more flexible TOD Housing SEPP, it’s still over the limit by more than 22%. A 10-storey high-rise simply doesn't align with the intent of a low- to medium-rise precinct. This scale is completely out of character with the area and difficult to justify in this location.

As well as the height and scale, there are broader implications for local infrastructure that haven’t been adequately addressed. The Killara area, including Stanhope Road, is already under pressure when it comes to essential services. Killara school especially is operating near or at capacity, and medical services in the area are limited. A development of this size would place additional strain on both education and healthcare systems—services that are vital for maintaining quality of life in the community.

We also feel the community engagement process didn’t meet expectations. Many residents were unaware of the proposal until it was well into the process, and as a result, haven’t had a fair chance to review or respond to it properly. The low turnout at the developer’s information session on 3 April reflects that.

Stanhope Road is also one of Killara’s most valued heritage streets, and the proposed building sits directly among homes with significant historical value. Unfortunately, the heritage context hasn’t been meaningfully considered in the current design.
There are also real concerns about the impact on surrounding homes—ranging from overshadowing and loss of privacy to general amenity issues for more than 50 neighbouring properties. These are not small matters for residents who’ve lived in this community for decades.
Finally, the submitted Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) includes several inconsistencies and lacks clarity on key elements—particularly around building size and affordable housing provisions. Given these issues, we believe the best course of action is for the current proposal to be withdrawn and reworked. This would give the community the opportunity to engage meaningfully, and allow for a development that better reflects the area’s character and infrastructure capacity.

I urge the Government to consider these concerns carefully as part of the assessment process and reject the development.

Sincerely
Celia Taylor

See attached PDF file

Please find the letter attached.

As a resident of Ku-ring-gai Council, I object to this excessively dense and high development due to its scale, height and non-compliances with applicable standards and design recommendations. It is unfair to other residents in the neighbourhood - who will be significantly and detrimentally impacted - for this to proceed in a form similar to that proposed. Hence the proposal is not in the public interest. The height is excessive and exceeds relevant standards and design recommendations; there are serious impacts to nearby heritage listed residences and a large number of other adjacent residences due to the proposed design being high rise as opposed to low or medium rise. I am also concerned about the pressure on community services and traffic that will result from such high density in an area where the services and access are not designed for such demand.

I wish to object to this development on the grounds that due to its scale, height and non-compliances it will have an unacceptable negative impact on other residents in the neighbourhood, will negatively impact the local biodiversity and conservation values of the local area, and will increase pressure on already stretched public services. Hence I believe that it is not in the public interest. It appears that the height of the proposal is excessive and exceeds relevant standards; negatively impacts heritage listed residences and the local tree cover, green surface and biodiversity; impacts a large number of adjacent residences through being high rise rather than low or medium rise (exceeds 12m maximum height) and will cause knock on consequences through overshadowing etc.

I object to this development on the grounds that due to its scale, height and non-compliances it is not fair to other residents in the neighbourhood who will be significantly and detrimentally impacted and hence not in the public interest.
E.g. The height is excessive and exceeds standards; impacts heritage listed residences; impacts a large number of adjacent residences being high rise rather than low or medium rise (see preferences for 12m maximum height).