Sydney Metro Victoria Cross OSD - Stage 2

Building size is too big. It should be smaller. It should be slimmer. It is blocking the sun lights.

Objection to Victoria Cross OSD – SSD 8874 Mod 1 and SSD 10294 and DA350/19

1. This Modification Application contains the same major issues as its predecessor which have still not been properly addressed.
2. Any reference to Sydney Metro is irrelevant to the planning and design issues of the tower building and should be seen as such.

The major issues which have not been properly addressed include:

- Massive bulk and scale, especially the Miller Street frontage
- Greatly excessive height which is unnecessary and purely profit-driven
- Built heritage is greatly disrespected. Heritage items are not “in the vicinity” as per the Urbis Report, they are RIGHT NEXT DOOR
- Car parking for 150 cars is unsustainable on such a busy traffic corner as Berry and Miller Streets
- Major view losses to all new apartments within 221 Miller Street “The Miller” have not been considered and need to be individually addressed.
- Major overshadowing to 65 Berry Street will obliterate natural light from Noon until dusk every day
- Morning solar loss to Miller Street cannot be understated
- Population forecasts identified in the Greater Sydney Region Plan (2018) are pie-in-the-sky
- Surrounding existing high rise built form is a reason not to add more high rise rather than to claim a positive contribution
- Miller Street Special Area setback should be continued for the full block up to Berry Street as a once in a lifetime opportunity
- Urban Design Drivers in the Urbis Report are overly simplistic as is the claim that the design responds sympathetically to the exiting character of neighbouring properties

Please see attached document:

I support this project as it suits the existing character of North Sydney.

North Sydney is essentially an extension of Sydney CBD, and this site with its direct connection to high frequency public transport is the perfect place for a large office tower.

See attached

I object to:
- the height and bulk of the building.
The proposal seeks to increase the approval already given for 40 storeys to 42 storeys. No real justification is given. The building will be approximately twice as high as other high density buildings in the area and will adversely dominate the heritage MLC building next to it.
- the lack of planning for pedestrian and traffic impacts.
The building allows for 161 car parking space. It is inconceivable how offices on top of a railway station, with multiple bus stops near by, require so many car parking spaces and this appears to contradict the rationale behind building new metro stations which is surely to decrease car use. As this is a State Government project the government should be looking for ways to encourage the building's occupants to dispense with vehicles and use the Government transport system.
Also the project lacks sufficient consideration of the impact on pedestrian traffic in the immediate area. The Traffic Study recognises that North Sydney centre generates high pedestrian volumes, particularly in the peak commuter periods. The North Sydney Centre Traffic and Pedestrian Study (Arup, September 2014) identified insufficient footpath width in some locations and constrained crossing locations (including small splitter islands at signalised crossings) often result in congestion. As a frequent pedestrian in North Sydney, I have observed that the traffic light timing gives preference to traffic over pedestrians.
However it assumes pedestrians can choose either side of Miller Street to walk on, this seems illogical as both railway station entries (Victoria Cross and the North Sydney station) are on the same side of Miller Street.
Moreover it does not even assess the impact of pedestrians waiting at road crossings and bus stops (p.49) and says this will be considered later. This is not adequate as it is known to be high volume, as above, and there is limited footpath space at crossings and elsewhere. It should be considered now when the design and placement of entries and exits are being finalised.

EES has reviewed the relevant documentation and advise that there is no further comments at this stage.

Waverton Precinct does not support this proposal. Details and reasons are in the Attached document

I object to the size and bulk of the proposal as it will overwhelm the local area. The lower north shore does not need more retail tenancies as several shop vacancies already exist in the area from Mosman to North Sydney and significant retail opportunities exist in Chatswood. The height of the building is excessive.

Comments are attached

Refer to attachment

See attached.

please see attachments

It is made by me personally, not by the Committee for North Sydney.

Additional information is requested prior to determination

Hi James
Thank you for the opportunity of reviewing the proposal. Please find attached our submission.
kind regards,
Billy

Please be advised that the Growth Planning team will not be making a submission for this development as Sydney Water have already issued the requirements to obtain a Section 73 certificate under case number 178583 directly to the developer (see above attached letter). Note sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 which cover the requirements for Water, Wastewater and Stormwater servicing in more detail.