Rhodes East Mixed Use Seniors Housing Development

Objection is lodged on behalf of the Owners of 31 Blaxland Road.
Owners request that all confidential commercial information and privileged information which is included in the single attachment is redacted before publication.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed Rhodes East Mixed Use Seniors Housing Development. My primary concern revolves around the issue of potential overcrowding and the detrimental impact it will have on the existing community.

Key Points of Objection:

Increased Density:
The proposed development significantly increases the population density in an already congested area.
This heightened density will strain existing infrastructure, including roads, public transport, and community facilities.
Traffic Congestion:
Rhodes already experiences significant traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours.
The addition of a large-scale development will exacerbate this issue, leading to increased delays and reduced road safety.
Consider adding specific points about parking concerns.
Strain on Public Services:
The increased population will place a greater burden on local services, such as healthcare, emergency services, and recreational facilities.
It is unclear whether existing services have the capacity to accommodate the additional residents.
Impact on Local Amenity:
Overcrowding can diminish the quality of life for existing residents, leading to increased noise, reduced privacy, and a loss of community character.
The open green spaces available to the public may become too crowded.
Infrastructure capacity:
State the concern that the current infrastructure is not prepared to handle the increased amount of people that will be living in the area.
Lack of Sufficient Planning:
State that the planning of the development does not take into account the current over crowding issues that are already present.
Specific Examples (If Possible):

Call to Action:

- I urge the relevant authorities to carefully consider the potential impacts of this development on the existing community.
- I request that a thorough assessment of the infrastructure capacity and potential for overcrowding be conducted.
- I ask that the council re-evaluate the scale of this development to ensure it aligns with the existing community's needs and capacity.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

As a long-term resident of Rhodes, I remain deeply concerned about the potential risks and negative impacts this project could have on our community, particularly given Ecove’s history with the Opal Tower project. Below are my reasons for opposing this application:

1. Ecove’s Proven Record of Quality Control Failures
Ecove was the developer behind Opal Tower, a residential building that experienced severe structural cracks on Christmas Eve 2018, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. This incident, which occurred in my neighboring community, resulted in significant financial and emotional distress for homeowners and caused property values across the Olympic Park area to plummet. Independent investigations identified multiple design and construction failures, and Ecove, as the developer, failed to adequately oversee the project. This history raises serious doubts about their ability to deliver a safe and reliable development in Rhodes.

2. Threat to Property Values in the Community
The Opal Tower incident has already inflicted substantial damage on property values in Opal Tower and surrounding areas, with effects lingering to this day. As a resident with a vested interest in the stability of our local housing market, I am alarmed that another Ecove project with potential quality issues could further erode property prices. The risk of repeating past mistakes poses an unacceptable threat to the economic well-being of existing homeowners like myself.

Rhodes is a vibrant and growing community, and while we welcome responsible development, it must not come at the expense of residents’ safety or financial security. I trust that the Council will prioritize the well-being of our community and ensure that any approved project adheres to the highest standards.

Thank you for allowing me to revise my submission and for considering my concerns.

Regards,
Angela

I would like to formally object to the proposed project due to the following concerns:
1. Infrastructure Overload:
○ The proposed development will significantly strain Rhodes' already overburdened infrastructure, leading to increased traffic congestion, parking difficulties, and pressure on public services, thereby reducing the quality of life for current residents.
2.. Construction Disruptions:
○ The noise, dust, and general disruption caused by the construction of this large-scale project will significantly affect the daily lives of residents, particularly given that the area is already experiencing substantial development activity.
3. Affordability and Market Dynamics:
○ The high price of these new units will likely attract overseas investors, driving up property prices even further and making it difficult for Australian citizens, particularly first-time homebuyers, to enter the market. We believe that if the government is serious about addressing housing affordability, developments should be directed to less saturated and more affordable areas, not high-demand, overpriced locations like Rhodes.