Ku-ring-gai Council
Object
Ku-ring-gai Council
Object
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
I am writing to formally object to the proposed development to demolish existing houses on Buckingham Road and construct a new apartment complex.
As a local resident of Buckingham Road, I have significant concerns regarding the impact this development will have on the surrounding community.
Firstly, Buckingham Road has already experienced substantial apartment development in recent years. The area has become increasingly dense, and there are already numerous apartment buildings along the road. Further high-density development will place additional pressure on local infrastructure and significantly alter the character of the neighbourhood.
Secondly, traffic congestion on Buckingham Road is already a major issue. During peak hours, the road experiences heavy traffic, making it difficult for residents to enter and exit their properties safely. Additional apartments will inevitably increase the number of vehicles in the area, worsening congestion, increasing travel times, and creating further safety concerns for pedestrians and motorists.
Another significant concern is that Buckingham Road is a relatively narrow residential street that was not designed to accommodate substantial increases in population density. The existing road width already struggles to cope with current traffic volumes, on-street parking, service vehicles, and pedestrian activity. Additional apartment developments will place further pressure on the road network, creating increased congestion, safety risks, and access issues for residents, emergency services, and waste collection vehicles. The physical limitations of Buckingham Road make it unsuitable for further high-density development.
Furthermore, the area is already becoming overcrowded. Additional residential density will place greater demand on local parking, public transport, schools, community facilities, and public spaces. The cumulative impact of ongoing apartment developments has not been adequately addressed.
I am also concerned about the loss of neighbourhood character resulting from the continued replacement of houses with large apartment buildings. The current proposal represents further overdevelopment of an area that has already undergone significant transformation. There needs to be a balance between accommodating growth and maintaining a livable environment for existing residents.
Given the large number of apartment developments already approved and constructed along Buckingham Road, I believe the area has reached a point where further high-density development is no longer appropriate. The existing infrastructure, road network, and community facilities are already under considerable pressure.
I respectfully request that Council carefully consider the existing level of development along Buckingham Road and the associated traffic, overcrowding, parking, and infrastructure issues before approving any further high-density projects in the area. I strongly urge Council to reject this proposal or require substantial modifications that address the concerns of local residents.
Thank you for considering my objection. I trust that the concerns of local residents will be given appropriate weight during the assessment process.
As a local resident of Buckingham Road, I have significant concerns regarding the impact this development will have on the surrounding community.
Firstly, Buckingham Road has already experienced substantial apartment development in recent years. The area has become increasingly dense, and there are already numerous apartment buildings along the road. Further high-density development will place additional pressure on local infrastructure and significantly alter the character of the neighbourhood.
Secondly, traffic congestion on Buckingham Road is already a major issue. During peak hours, the road experiences heavy traffic, making it difficult for residents to enter and exit their properties safely. Additional apartments will inevitably increase the number of vehicles in the area, worsening congestion, increasing travel times, and creating further safety concerns for pedestrians and motorists.
Another significant concern is that Buckingham Road is a relatively narrow residential street that was not designed to accommodate substantial increases in population density. The existing road width already struggles to cope with current traffic volumes, on-street parking, service vehicles, and pedestrian activity. Additional apartment developments will place further pressure on the road network, creating increased congestion, safety risks, and access issues for residents, emergency services, and waste collection vehicles. The physical limitations of Buckingham Road make it unsuitable for further high-density development.
Furthermore, the area is already becoming overcrowded. Additional residential density will place greater demand on local parking, public transport, schools, community facilities, and public spaces. The cumulative impact of ongoing apartment developments has not been adequately addressed.
I am also concerned about the loss of neighbourhood character resulting from the continued replacement of houses with large apartment buildings. The current proposal represents further overdevelopment of an area that has already undergone significant transformation. There needs to be a balance between accommodating growth and maintaining a livable environment for existing residents.
Given the large number of apartment developments already approved and constructed along Buckingham Road, I believe the area has reached a point where further high-density development is no longer appropriate. The existing infrastructure, road network, and community facilities are already under considerable pressure.
I respectfully request that Council carefully consider the existing level of development along Buckingham Road and the associated traffic, overcrowding, parking, and infrastructure issues before approving any further high-density projects in the area. I strongly urge Council to reject this proposal or require substantial modifications that address the concerns of local residents.
Thank you for considering my objection. I trust that the concerns of local residents will be given appropriate weight during the assessment process.
Glenn Searby
Object
Glenn Searby
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
I am writing to object to the proposed State Significant Development at 8A, 14, and 16 Buckingham Road (SSD-95747716). The current development application requires significant revision on the following grounds:
1. Excessive Bulk, Scale, and Incompatible Built Form
The proposed 8-storey height is entirely incompatible with the established low-to-medium density context of the immediate area. The surrounding locality consists predominantly of 3-to-4 storey brick walk-ups and a maximum existing height of 5-to-6 storeys on Buckingham Road. While the applicant claims to mitigate this bulk via setbacks and topography, these architectural treatments are already fully utilized by existing, significantly smaller buildings. They are entirely insufficient to absorb the visual mass of an 8-storey structure, which will dominate the local landscape and unacceptably breach the established tree canopy line.
2. Flawed Visual Impact Assessment and Look-Down Impact
The Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) submitted by the applicant is fundamentally flawed because it relies on artificially distant viewpoints to mask the true scale of the development. The VIA completely fails to include the immediate residential receptors directly to the east, specifically the private courtyards and open spaces at 562, 564, and 568 Pacific Highway. Because our properties sit at a higher Relative Level (RL), our primary outlook is looking down over the subject site. The massive roof form and raw horizontal bulk of an 8-storey building will replace the existing high-canopy blue gum treeline, which currently defines the visual character of this corridor. The VIA must be revised to evaluate this specific look-down impact on adjacent residents.
3. Objection to the BDAR Waiver Request
I strongly object to the granting of a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) waiver. The applicant’s assertion that the site lacks suitable habitat for native fauna is contradicted by direct observation. This site directly interfaces with a critical ecological corridor connecting Lane Cove National Park and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The area provides active habitat for local wildlife, including the endangered Long-nosed Bandicoot population, possums, and the vulnerable Grey-headed Flying-fox, which are regularly observed crossing Buckingham Road. The slightly degraded state of an ecological corridor must not be used as a regulatory justification to destroy it entirely. A full BDAR must be mandated.
4. Unacceptable Traffic Generation and Pedestrian Safety Risks
The application fails to safely accommodate the traffic and transport impacts of introducing 131 new car spaces onto Buckingham Road. This roadway is exceptionally steep, narrow, and constrained by low-visibility junctions. Crucially, Buckingham Road lacks dedicated pedestrian footpaths for much of its length. Forcing a significantly increased volume of pedestrians to walk directly on the narrow carriageway to access public transport links creates a severe, unacceptable safety conflict between vehicles and pedestrians. The existing infrastructure cannot safely support this level of intensification without major upgrades.
Regards,
Glenn Searby
1. Excessive Bulk, Scale, and Incompatible Built Form
The proposed 8-storey height is entirely incompatible with the established low-to-medium density context of the immediate area. The surrounding locality consists predominantly of 3-to-4 storey brick walk-ups and a maximum existing height of 5-to-6 storeys on Buckingham Road. While the applicant claims to mitigate this bulk via setbacks and topography, these architectural treatments are already fully utilized by existing, significantly smaller buildings. They are entirely insufficient to absorb the visual mass of an 8-storey structure, which will dominate the local landscape and unacceptably breach the established tree canopy line.
2. Flawed Visual Impact Assessment and Look-Down Impact
The Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) submitted by the applicant is fundamentally flawed because it relies on artificially distant viewpoints to mask the true scale of the development. The VIA completely fails to include the immediate residential receptors directly to the east, specifically the private courtyards and open spaces at 562, 564, and 568 Pacific Highway. Because our properties sit at a higher Relative Level (RL), our primary outlook is looking down over the subject site. The massive roof form and raw horizontal bulk of an 8-storey building will replace the existing high-canopy blue gum treeline, which currently defines the visual character of this corridor. The VIA must be revised to evaluate this specific look-down impact on adjacent residents.
3. Objection to the BDAR Waiver Request
I strongly object to the granting of a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) waiver. The applicant’s assertion that the site lacks suitable habitat for native fauna is contradicted by direct observation. This site directly interfaces with a critical ecological corridor connecting Lane Cove National Park and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The area provides active habitat for local wildlife, including the endangered Long-nosed Bandicoot population, possums, and the vulnerable Grey-headed Flying-fox, which are regularly observed crossing Buckingham Road. The slightly degraded state of an ecological corridor must not be used as a regulatory justification to destroy it entirely. A full BDAR must be mandated.
4. Unacceptable Traffic Generation and Pedestrian Safety Risks
The application fails to safely accommodate the traffic and transport impacts of introducing 131 new car spaces onto Buckingham Road. This roadway is exceptionally steep, narrow, and constrained by low-visibility junctions. Crucially, Buckingham Road lacks dedicated pedestrian footpaths for much of its length. Forcing a significantly increased volume of pedestrians to walk directly on the narrow carriageway to access public transport links creates a severe, unacceptable safety conflict between vehicles and pedestrians. The existing infrastructure cannot safely support this level of intensification without major upgrades.
Regards,
Glenn Searby
George Tong
Object
George Tong
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
I recognise the need for additional housing in Killara & in Buckingham Road. My concern is not that the site is being developed, but that the current proposal has a significant negative impact on the area, on the following grounds:
1. Traffic, access and parking impacts
129 car spaces and three basement levels conflicts with the KuRingGai Council DCP’s intent to minimise vehicular impacts, keep basement parking within building footprints, and discourage excess parking.
Buckingham Road is quite narrow and on a slope, with the property next door (12 Buckingham) being higher, thus impeding the view of drivers exiting the development car park. Also drivers traveling down (east to west) Buckingham (who tend to pick up speed as they travel down) may not see cars exiting the car park until the last moment. Thus the design of the car park access/exit combined with the higher traffic flow to/from the development car park will impede traffic flow along Buckingham and substantially increase the risk of vehicle collisions.
In practice, Buckingham Road does not operate as a conventional two-lane suburban road. Parked vehicles regularly prevent two-way traffic from passing simultaneously, meaning drivers must frequently stop and give way to oncoming traffic.
As a result, Buckingham Road already functions as an alternating single-lane road. The Traffic Impact Assessment does not adequately reflect these real-world operating conditions.
2. Storey height inconsistent with the site-specific DCP
The Ku-ring-gai’s site-specific DCP says building height is not to exceed Area 1: 3 storeys, Area 2: 2 storeys, Area 3: 4 storeys. A 7–8 storey building is a major departure.
3. Poor transition to Buckingham Road houses and heritage items
The site is surrounded by low-density homes to the north and west and has nearby heritage items at 10, 11 and 22 Buckingham Road. The DCP’s planned character is explicitly about transition and heritage sensitivity.
4. Tree canopy / Blue Gum High Forest impacts
The DCP calls for protection and improvement of Blue Gum High Forest, retention of mature trees, deep soil, and a Vegetation Management Plan. However the development's car park involves removal of the mature Sydney Blue gum tree in the current driveway.
Ku-ring-gai Council previously advised that the tree had been poisoned before it died and commenced an investigation into the unauthorised tree work. The proposal material does not consider whether the standing trunk or part of the tree could safely be retained for habitat or whether an independent ecological assessment should be undertaken before removal. Mature canopy trees are a defining feature of Killara's landscape character and biodiversity. Once lost, they cannot be replaced for many decades.
In conclusion, this is not simply more housing; it is an over-scaled proposal that exceeds the carefully negotiated site-specific transition controls for this exact constrained heritage/tree-interface site.
I recognise the need for additional housing. However the current proposal has not demonstrated that it achieves the planning vision nor adequately considered the impact on the area.
1. Traffic, access and parking impacts
129 car spaces and three basement levels conflicts with the KuRingGai Council DCP’s intent to minimise vehicular impacts, keep basement parking within building footprints, and discourage excess parking.
Buckingham Road is quite narrow and on a slope, with the property next door (12 Buckingham) being higher, thus impeding the view of drivers exiting the development car park. Also drivers traveling down (east to west) Buckingham (who tend to pick up speed as they travel down) may not see cars exiting the car park until the last moment. Thus the design of the car park access/exit combined with the higher traffic flow to/from the development car park will impede traffic flow along Buckingham and substantially increase the risk of vehicle collisions.
In practice, Buckingham Road does not operate as a conventional two-lane suburban road. Parked vehicles regularly prevent two-way traffic from passing simultaneously, meaning drivers must frequently stop and give way to oncoming traffic.
As a result, Buckingham Road already functions as an alternating single-lane road. The Traffic Impact Assessment does not adequately reflect these real-world operating conditions.
2. Storey height inconsistent with the site-specific DCP
The Ku-ring-gai’s site-specific DCP says building height is not to exceed Area 1: 3 storeys, Area 2: 2 storeys, Area 3: 4 storeys. A 7–8 storey building is a major departure.
3. Poor transition to Buckingham Road houses and heritage items
The site is surrounded by low-density homes to the north and west and has nearby heritage items at 10, 11 and 22 Buckingham Road. The DCP’s planned character is explicitly about transition and heritage sensitivity.
4. Tree canopy / Blue Gum High Forest impacts
The DCP calls for protection and improvement of Blue Gum High Forest, retention of mature trees, deep soil, and a Vegetation Management Plan. However the development's car park involves removal of the mature Sydney Blue gum tree in the current driveway.
Ku-ring-gai Council previously advised that the tree had been poisoned before it died and commenced an investigation into the unauthorised tree work. The proposal material does not consider whether the standing trunk or part of the tree could safely be retained for habitat or whether an independent ecological assessment should be undertaken before removal. Mature canopy trees are a defining feature of Killara's landscape character and biodiversity. Once lost, they cannot be replaced for many decades.
In conclusion, this is not simply more housing; it is an over-scaled proposal that exceeds the carefully negotiated site-specific transition controls for this exact constrained heritage/tree-interface site.
I recognise the need for additional housing. However the current proposal has not demonstrated that it achieves the planning vision nor adequately considered the impact on the area.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
Subject: Objection to Development Application SSD‑95747716
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to register my objection to Development Application SSD‑95747716. My concerns relate primarily to traffic safety, pedestrian access, and environmental impact.
Buckingham Road already functions as a busy thoroughfare due to its direct link to the Pacific Highway and the short walking distance to Killara Station. The volume of vehicles and pedestrians using this road throughout the day is significant, and the existing infrastructure is already under strain. The street is narrow, and near the Highway end, two‑way traffic is only possible when drivers proceed with considerable caution. Further down the slope, the road effectively becomes single‑lane, creating regular bottlenecks.
Pedestrian conditions are also inadequate. While a footpath exists near the top of the street, it becomes uneven and discontinuous as the road descends, and below Warwick Street there is no footpath at all. This forces pedestrians — including many school students travelling to and from the station — to walk on the roadway. Combined with limited visibility caused by the slope and an existing rise in the road surface, this presents a clear safety risk.
Any development that increases traffic volumes will inevitably worsen these issues. Additional vehicles will contribute to higher noise levels and further compromise safety for both residents and school‑aged pedestrians. I am also concerned about the likely removal of established vegetation, which would reduce habitat for local wildlife.
For these reasons, I do not support the proposed development and ask that these matters be given serious consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Wei Zhang
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to register my objection to Development Application SSD‑95747716. My concerns relate primarily to traffic safety, pedestrian access, and environmental impact.
Buckingham Road already functions as a busy thoroughfare due to its direct link to the Pacific Highway and the short walking distance to Killara Station. The volume of vehicles and pedestrians using this road throughout the day is significant, and the existing infrastructure is already under strain. The street is narrow, and near the Highway end, two‑way traffic is only possible when drivers proceed with considerable caution. Further down the slope, the road effectively becomes single‑lane, creating regular bottlenecks.
Pedestrian conditions are also inadequate. While a footpath exists near the top of the street, it becomes uneven and discontinuous as the road descends, and below Warwick Street there is no footpath at all. This forces pedestrians — including many school students travelling to and from the station — to walk on the roadway. Combined with limited visibility caused by the slope and an existing rise in the road surface, this presents a clear safety risk.
Any development that increases traffic volumes will inevitably worsen these issues. Additional vehicles will contribute to higher noise levels and further compromise safety for both residents and school‑aged pedestrians. I am also concerned about the likely removal of established vegetation, which would reduce habitat for local wildlife.
For these reasons, I do not support the proposed development and ask that these matters be given serious consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Wei Zhang
Brett Flowers
Object
Brett Flowers
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
My concern with this proposed project is one of traffic and logistics both while construction happens and after. Buckingham Road is narrow and already has parking on one side of the road, meaning it is one lane traffic up/down hill. With further housing and traffic, this will become untenable and traffic jams will happen leading to Pacific Highway. There are multiple existing driveways near Pacific Highway which may not be accessible without clear zones. This will also be a safety concern for both pedestrians and vehicles, with the hill on the road. I strongly object to this development proceeding.
Qing Qing Pan
Object
Qing Qing Pan
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
Dear Sir
We have received your notification letter regarding the Development Application 8A, 14, 16 Buckingham Rd Killara.
Application No SSD-95747716. We are extremely unhappy with the plan, and we don’t think it is appropriate to build so many units on this parcel of land, especially as it has very limited frontage. Buckingham Road is a very narrow road that is already very crowded with many apartments, and the traffic condition of the road clearly cannot satisfy the requirement of 2 new high building. It is more appropriate for the rezoning of high-rise buildings to occur adjacent to the Pacific Highway, but not for this rezoning to be spread away from the highway into a suburban area beyond 8 Buckingham Road, especially as it contains 4 adjacent heritage sites.
1. Buckingham Road is a very narrow road, and from 8A to 16 Buckingham Road, this is the narrowest area in the whole road. This area is only 7 metres wide, with kerbside parking on one side, and the other side only allows one car to pass by.Currently, the road for the proposal is the most hazardous not only because it is the narrowest there, but also because the road is on a sharp inclination. Buckingham Road is already crowded with so many existing units, so if the proposal is approved, there will be more pressure on Buckingham Road and the added congestion will make this road extremely dangerous. Overall, Buckingham Road is a very narrow Road ,We hope that the Development of Planning,Housing and Infrastructure can consider it seriously, and the request for the new development should be rejected
2. The proposed development will block all the views to the Golf Course from 10 Buckingham Road Killara, and will affect the heritage significance of No. 10 Buckingham Road Killara.
10 Buckingham Rd Killara is a heritage item with a strong historical background and is a single storey brick house built in 1902. The original owners had a strong association with the Golf Club and were keen players. The house is sited at an angle to the street and it appears its orientation relates to views over the golf course.
The proposed development will be located just between the heritage building’s veranda and the Golf Course. Views from the veranda of the heritage item would be directly obstructed by proposed building.This would be replaced, if the proposal is accepted, with a view straight onto the proposed building .In fact, if the proposal is approved, the new building will block all the views, where there will be no Golf Course view at all from 10 Buckingham Rd Killara, meaning the house will completely lose its heritage significance.
3. We won’t have any privacy
The new building of Part seven and part eight development which is located right in front of the veranda of 10 Buckingham Road. Therefore, this will be very intrusive to our privacy. In addition, we only have small trees between 10 Buckingham Road and the proposed building.This means that if the proposal is accepted, our house will be fully exposed to all the residents of the new building.All the residents from level 1 to level 8 will have a view into our backyard, veranda, formal lounge and main bedroom. It will not be pleasant to be watched every day, and we won’t have any privacy anymore.
4. The driveway from 8A for the proposal should strictly be forbidden.
With the 8A driveway being so close to the heritage building of 10 Buckingham Road (with the closest distance being only 3 meters), all our 4 bedrooms, dining rooms, formal lounge and outdoor veranda areas are very close to the 8A driveway.If the plan is approved, so many cars will pass every day and night, leading to our lifestyle at 10 Buckingham Road to be seriously diminished. Furthermore, I hope the architects can at least pay respect to this heritage building as the driveway designing is not professional and unacceptable.
5. Destruction of the trees would adversely affect the environment.
According to the proposal, it involves the destruction of 30 mature trees on the site. Destruction of the trees would adversely affect the environment and displace animals and many birds that currently depend on the trees.
The trees are vital to the amenity and woodland beauty of the area and would expose buildings of substantial height to neighbouring properties which previously enjoyed a natural, beautiful outlook. The overall attractiveness of the area would be degraded.
The proposal submission will create major impacts and degrade the area overall and they gloss over crucial impacts of the proposal. Protection of the existing amenities of the area, particularly the heritage sites would be greatly appreciated, as the existing plan places pressure on Buckingham Road from the road traffic caused, increased stress for pedestrians, loss of privacy for the residents of 10,8,18 and 22 Buckingham Road, and causes the destruction of so many trees.
CONCLUSION
In view of all this, we the owners of 10 Buckingham Road Killara, strongly oppose the Development Application , as it will reduce the nearby heritage house significance, severely block the views enjoyed from the veranda of No. 10 Buckingham Road, interfere with our Privacy, and create destruction of the environment.
We hope that Department of Planning ,Housing and Infrastructure will take all these points into account before making any decisions on this Planning Proposal. Thanks.
Kind Regards,
Qing Qing Pan & Qi Qiao
Owner of 10 Buckingham RD
Killara NSW 2071
0402315096
0422323789
We have received your notification letter regarding the Development Application 8A, 14, 16 Buckingham Rd Killara.
Application No SSD-95747716. We are extremely unhappy with the plan, and we don’t think it is appropriate to build so many units on this parcel of land, especially as it has very limited frontage. Buckingham Road is a very narrow road that is already very crowded with many apartments, and the traffic condition of the road clearly cannot satisfy the requirement of 2 new high building. It is more appropriate for the rezoning of high-rise buildings to occur adjacent to the Pacific Highway, but not for this rezoning to be spread away from the highway into a suburban area beyond 8 Buckingham Road, especially as it contains 4 adjacent heritage sites.
1. Buckingham Road is a very narrow road, and from 8A to 16 Buckingham Road, this is the narrowest area in the whole road. This area is only 7 metres wide, with kerbside parking on one side, and the other side only allows one car to pass by.Currently, the road for the proposal is the most hazardous not only because it is the narrowest there, but also because the road is on a sharp inclination. Buckingham Road is already crowded with so many existing units, so if the proposal is approved, there will be more pressure on Buckingham Road and the added congestion will make this road extremely dangerous. Overall, Buckingham Road is a very narrow Road ,We hope that the Development of Planning,Housing and Infrastructure can consider it seriously, and the request for the new development should be rejected
2. The proposed development will block all the views to the Golf Course from 10 Buckingham Road Killara, and will affect the heritage significance of No. 10 Buckingham Road Killara.
10 Buckingham Rd Killara is a heritage item with a strong historical background and is a single storey brick house built in 1902. The original owners had a strong association with the Golf Club and were keen players. The house is sited at an angle to the street and it appears its orientation relates to views over the golf course.
The proposed development will be located just between the heritage building’s veranda and the Golf Course. Views from the veranda of the heritage item would be directly obstructed by proposed building.This would be replaced, if the proposal is accepted, with a view straight onto the proposed building .In fact, if the proposal is approved, the new building will block all the views, where there will be no Golf Course view at all from 10 Buckingham Rd Killara, meaning the house will completely lose its heritage significance.
3. We won’t have any privacy
The new building of Part seven and part eight development which is located right in front of the veranda of 10 Buckingham Road. Therefore, this will be very intrusive to our privacy. In addition, we only have small trees between 10 Buckingham Road and the proposed building.This means that if the proposal is accepted, our house will be fully exposed to all the residents of the new building.All the residents from level 1 to level 8 will have a view into our backyard, veranda, formal lounge and main bedroom. It will not be pleasant to be watched every day, and we won’t have any privacy anymore.
4. The driveway from 8A for the proposal should strictly be forbidden.
With the 8A driveway being so close to the heritage building of 10 Buckingham Road (with the closest distance being only 3 meters), all our 4 bedrooms, dining rooms, formal lounge and outdoor veranda areas are very close to the 8A driveway.If the plan is approved, so many cars will pass every day and night, leading to our lifestyle at 10 Buckingham Road to be seriously diminished. Furthermore, I hope the architects can at least pay respect to this heritage building as the driveway designing is not professional and unacceptable.
5. Destruction of the trees would adversely affect the environment.
According to the proposal, it involves the destruction of 30 mature trees on the site. Destruction of the trees would adversely affect the environment and displace animals and many birds that currently depend on the trees.
The trees are vital to the amenity and woodland beauty of the area and would expose buildings of substantial height to neighbouring properties which previously enjoyed a natural, beautiful outlook. The overall attractiveness of the area would be degraded.
The proposal submission will create major impacts and degrade the area overall and they gloss over crucial impacts of the proposal. Protection of the existing amenities of the area, particularly the heritage sites would be greatly appreciated, as the existing plan places pressure on Buckingham Road from the road traffic caused, increased stress for pedestrians, loss of privacy for the residents of 10,8,18 and 22 Buckingham Road, and causes the destruction of so many trees.
CONCLUSION
In view of all this, we the owners of 10 Buckingham Road Killara, strongly oppose the Development Application , as it will reduce the nearby heritage house significance, severely block the views enjoyed from the veranda of No. 10 Buckingham Road, interfere with our Privacy, and create destruction of the environment.
We hope that Department of Planning ,Housing and Infrastructure will take all these points into account before making any decisions on this Planning Proposal. Thanks.
Kind Regards,
Qing Qing Pan & Qi Qiao
Owner of 10 Buckingham RD
Killara NSW 2071
0402315096
0422323789
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
Killara
,
New South Wales
Message
I have lived on Buckingham Rd for the last 16 years and I have seen the area struggle with the increasing traffic and congestion from the new apartment blocks being built on Buckingham Rd.
The proposed development will put further pressure on already congested roads and street parking. Street parking is already an issue with the narrow laneways often blocked by cars parking on both sides of the road preventing normal vehicle traffic.
I object to the proposed development
The proposed development will put further pressure on already congested roads and street parking. Street parking is already an issue with the narrow laneways often blocked by cars parking on both sides of the road preventing normal vehicle traffic.
I object to the proposed development
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
As a resident of Buckingham Road I would like to lodge my objection to the proposed development at 8A, 14 and 16 Buckingham Road, Killara.
Before outlining my concerns, I want to be clear about one thing. I understand that Sydney needs more housing, and I support the Government’s efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing. My objection isn’t about affordable housing itself. It’s about whether this particular development is suitable for this particular location.
This application leans heavily on its contribution to affordable housing, and in doing so also asks for exemptions to building height restrictions. The development is for 79 dwellings, of which only 17 are affordable housing. This application seems to leverage affordable housing for permission to increase the height, and hence capacity of the building.
1. Traffic and Road Safety
Anyone who regularly uses Buckingham Road knows it’s already under pressure.
It’s a very narrow street between 8 Buckingham Road and Warwick Street (where this development will occur) with cars parked along both sides for much of the day. In many places, parked cars effectively reduce it to a single lane, meaning drivers regularly have to stop and wait for oncoming traffic before they can continue. That’s just normal life on Buckingham Road.
Adding another large residential development will inevitably increase the number of vehicle movements every day. My concern is that the traffic modelling may not properly reflect how the road actually operates, rather than how it looks on paper.
I’d ask the Department to carefully consider whether the assessment genuinely reflects existing conditions, including parked cars, peak traffic periods, sight lines and the cumulative impact of other developments already planned or approved in the area.
2. Impact of construction
My biggest concern is actually how this development would even be built.
Buckingham Road is not a road that’s capable of accommodating the number of concrete trucks, delivery vehicles, cranes and construction traffic that a project of this size would require. Currently, with cars parked it is essentially a single laned road. With construction traffic it risks removing access for residents along Buckingham Road.
Where will construction vehicles wait?
Where will contractors park?
How will residents continue to access their homes?
How will pedestrians move safely around the site?
These are practical questions that deserve practical answers before approval is granted, rather than being left to a future Construction Management Plan.
3. Planning Controls
Planning controls exist for a reason. This proposal asks for exemptions to exceed those controls, based on providing affordable housing, which seems to be hiding behind affordable housing as a justification for commercial benefit. There has been significant areas between the train line and pacific highway that are zoned for large developments, whereas this location does not support the scale.
4. Pedestrian Safety
One issue I don’t think receives enough attention is pedestrian safety.
Buckingham Road isn’t an easy street to walk along.
Footpaths are limited in places, lighting isn’t great, visibility can be poor because of parked cars, and vehicles already need to weave around each other.
Increasing both construction traffic and long-term resident traffic will only make these conditions more challenging.
I’d encourage the Department to carefully consider whether pedestrian safety has been properly assessed and whether the proposed mitigation measures are realistic.
A development proposal of this scale should not be considered in the absence of significant structural changes made to the road and footpaths on Buckingham Road before development is considered/started.
5. Parking
Parking is already difficult in Buckingham Road.
Even if the proposal technically complies with parking requirements, that doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be significant impacts on surrounding streets.
Visitors, tradespeople, delivery drivers and overflow parking all need to be considered.
I’d ask that the Department satisfy itself that the parking assessment reflects what actually happens on the street today, rather than relying solely on theoretical parking rates.
6. Looking at the Bigger Picture
I also think it’s important that this development isn’t assessed in isolation.
Killara is already seeing increasing development pressure, and every proposal adds a little more traffic, a few more parked cars and a little more pressure on local infrastructure.
Individually those impacts might appear manageable, but collectively they become much more significant.
I’d encourage the Department to consider the cumulative impact of developments across the area rather than assessing each proposal as though it’s the only one.
7. Infrastructure
Finally, I have concerns about whether the surrounding infrastructure is ready to support a development of this scale.
Roads, utilities, public transport and community services all have finite capacity.
Approving additional housing should go hand in hand with ensuring the supporting infrastructure can accommodate it.
Affordable Housing
I want to finish by returning to the issue of affordable housing.
As I said at the outset, I support the objective of increasing affordable housing in NSW.
However, I don’t believe that objective should lower the standard expected of a development application.
Affordable housing is an important public benefit, but it shouldn’t override legitimate planning concerns relating to traffic, safety, infrastructure, construction feasibility or neighbourhood character.
Good planning should achieve both outcomes — delivering more housing while ensuring developments are appropriate for the communities in which they’re built.
Before outlining my concerns, I want to be clear about one thing. I understand that Sydney needs more housing, and I support the Government’s efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing. My objection isn’t about affordable housing itself. It’s about whether this particular development is suitable for this particular location.
This application leans heavily on its contribution to affordable housing, and in doing so also asks for exemptions to building height restrictions. The development is for 79 dwellings, of which only 17 are affordable housing. This application seems to leverage affordable housing for permission to increase the height, and hence capacity of the building.
1. Traffic and Road Safety
Anyone who regularly uses Buckingham Road knows it’s already under pressure.
It’s a very narrow street between 8 Buckingham Road and Warwick Street (where this development will occur) with cars parked along both sides for much of the day. In many places, parked cars effectively reduce it to a single lane, meaning drivers regularly have to stop and wait for oncoming traffic before they can continue. That’s just normal life on Buckingham Road.
Adding another large residential development will inevitably increase the number of vehicle movements every day. My concern is that the traffic modelling may not properly reflect how the road actually operates, rather than how it looks on paper.
I’d ask the Department to carefully consider whether the assessment genuinely reflects existing conditions, including parked cars, peak traffic periods, sight lines and the cumulative impact of other developments already planned or approved in the area.
2. Impact of construction
My biggest concern is actually how this development would even be built.
Buckingham Road is not a road that’s capable of accommodating the number of concrete trucks, delivery vehicles, cranes and construction traffic that a project of this size would require. Currently, with cars parked it is essentially a single laned road. With construction traffic it risks removing access for residents along Buckingham Road.
Where will construction vehicles wait?
Where will contractors park?
How will residents continue to access their homes?
How will pedestrians move safely around the site?
These are practical questions that deserve practical answers before approval is granted, rather than being left to a future Construction Management Plan.
3. Planning Controls
Planning controls exist for a reason. This proposal asks for exemptions to exceed those controls, based on providing affordable housing, which seems to be hiding behind affordable housing as a justification for commercial benefit. There has been significant areas between the train line and pacific highway that are zoned for large developments, whereas this location does not support the scale.
4. Pedestrian Safety
One issue I don’t think receives enough attention is pedestrian safety.
Buckingham Road isn’t an easy street to walk along.
Footpaths are limited in places, lighting isn’t great, visibility can be poor because of parked cars, and vehicles already need to weave around each other.
Increasing both construction traffic and long-term resident traffic will only make these conditions more challenging.
I’d encourage the Department to carefully consider whether pedestrian safety has been properly assessed and whether the proposed mitigation measures are realistic.
A development proposal of this scale should not be considered in the absence of significant structural changes made to the road and footpaths on Buckingham Road before development is considered/started.
5. Parking
Parking is already difficult in Buckingham Road.
Even if the proposal technically complies with parking requirements, that doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be significant impacts on surrounding streets.
Visitors, tradespeople, delivery drivers and overflow parking all need to be considered.
I’d ask that the Department satisfy itself that the parking assessment reflects what actually happens on the street today, rather than relying solely on theoretical parking rates.
6. Looking at the Bigger Picture
I also think it’s important that this development isn’t assessed in isolation.
Killara is already seeing increasing development pressure, and every proposal adds a little more traffic, a few more parked cars and a little more pressure on local infrastructure.
Individually those impacts might appear manageable, but collectively they become much more significant.
I’d encourage the Department to consider the cumulative impact of developments across the area rather than assessing each proposal as though it’s the only one.
7. Infrastructure
Finally, I have concerns about whether the surrounding infrastructure is ready to support a development of this scale.
Roads, utilities, public transport and community services all have finite capacity.
Approving additional housing should go hand in hand with ensuring the supporting infrastructure can accommodate it.
Affordable Housing
I want to finish by returning to the issue of affordable housing.
As I said at the outset, I support the objective of increasing affordable housing in NSW.
However, I don’t believe that objective should lower the standard expected of a development application.
Affordable housing is an important public benefit, but it shouldn’t override legitimate planning concerns relating to traffic, safety, infrastructure, construction feasibility or neighbourhood character.
Good planning should achieve both outcomes — delivering more housing while ensuring developments are appropriate for the communities in which they’re built.