I support the project, I believe it will significantly increase housing availability and affordability in the area.

I would however, like to see the number of storeys significantly increased.

I object to the proposed 37‑storey mixed‑use development for the following reasons:

Scale & character: Height and bulk are incompatible with the surrounding low‑rise neighbourhood and will dominate the streetscape.

Overshadowing & daylight loss: Significant loss of sunlight to nearby homes, private open space and public areas at key times of year. In my unit I get only 2 hours of sunlight during early morning!

Privacy & amenity: Upper‑level apartments will directly overlook neighbouring properties, reducing privacy and residential amenity (noise, light spill).

Traffic, parking & infrastructure: The proposal will intensify traffic, worsen on‑street parking and overload local services (public transport, sewer, schools) without demonstrated upgrades. Finding parking on street is already impossible. No proper park for kids to play within a walking distance. We need more parks less traffic and safer environment for kids and families.
More childcares as this area reached the limits in ratios of new families and childcares. My toddler on a 6 months waiting time to secure a spot in childcare with open space not in apartments building.

Wind & public realm: Height and form will create wind tunnelling and poor pedestrian conditions at street level.
Insufficient impact assessment & mitigation: Exhibition materials lack adequate traffic, overshadowing, wind, acoustic and stormwater studies and enforceable mitigation measures. literally there is no proper study for Wind, shadows and traffic done by professionals.
Remedy sought: refuse in current form or require substantial reduction in height/massing, detailed independent technical studies, enforceable mitigation (parking/traffic management, infrastructure upgrades, privacy/sunlight protection), and meaningful community consultation.



Kind Regards,

Rimi Kadri

I object to the proposed 37‑storey mixed‑use development for the following reasons:

Scale & character: Height and bulk are incompatible with the surrounding low‑rise neighbourhood and will dominate the streetscape.

Overshadowing & daylight loss: Significant loss of sunlight to nearby homes, private open space and public areas at key times of year. In my unit I get only 2 hours of sunlight during early morning!

Privacy & amenity: Upper‑level apartments will directly overlook neighbouring properties, reducing privacy and residential amenity (noise, light spill).

Traffic, parking & infrastructure: The proposal will intensify traffic, worsen on‑street parking and overload local services (public transport, sewer, schools) without demonstrated upgrades. Finding parking on street is already impossible. No proper park for kids to play within a walking distance. We need more parks less traffic and safer environment for kids and families.
More childcares as this area reached the limits in ratios of new families and childcares. My toddler on a 6 months waiting time to secure a spot in childcare with open space not in apartments building.

Wind & public realm: Height and form will create wind tunnelling and poor pedestrian conditions at street level.
Insufficient impact assessment & mitigation: Exhibition materials lack adequate traffic, overshadowing, wind, acoustic and stormwater studies and enforceable mitigation measures. literally there is no proper study for Wind, shadows and traffic done by professionals.
Remedy sought: refuse in current form or require substantial reduction in height/massing, detailed independent technical studies, enforceable mitigation (parking/traffic management, infrastructure upgrades, privacy/sunlight protection), and meaningful community consultation.



Kind Regards,

Anas Albasyuni

I object to the proposed development on the grounds of its significant negative impact on
surrounding residents, public amenity, and the local environment.
The development will result in a substantial loss of views toward Sydney Harbour, which contribute
to the amenity and value of surrounding properties. In addition, the building’s height and bulk will
cause excessive overshadowing, leading to a loss of natural sunlight to nearby residential buildings,
shared amenities, and the Merrylands town square. This reduction in sunlight will diminish comfort,
usability, and overall wellbeing, with potential negative effects on residents’ mental health, including
my own.
The proposal will also lead to increased privacy impacts, with upper levels likely to overlook
neighbouring apartments, balconies, and communal spaces. This will reduce the level of privacy
currently enjoyed by residents and negatively affect day-to-day living conditions.
There will be significant noise impacts associated with both the construction phase and the
completed development. Prolonged construction activity will create ongoing disruption, while
increased population density will generate additional noise from traffic, residents, and servicing
activity.
The scale of the building may also create adverse wind and microclimate effects at street level,
including wind tunnelling around buildings and public spaces. This could reduce comfort and
usability of outdoor areas, including the Merrylands town square.
The development will place additional strain on existing local infrastructure, including roads,
intersections, public transport, drainage systems, and essential services such as schools and
healthcare. The area is already experiencing growth, and this proposal will further intensify
pressure on these systems.
Traffic congestion and parking availability are also major concerns. The proposal is likely to
increase vehicle movements, worsen congestion, and place further strain on already limited street
parking. This will negatively impact accessibility and increase travel times, particularly toward
Parramatta and the city.
The proposed development appears inconsistent with the existing character and scale of the
surrounding area. A building of this height and bulk is not in keeping with the established
streetscape and may result in an overdevelopment of the site.
Construction impacts must also be considered, including dust, debris, vibration, and potential
structural impacts on nearby buildings. These issues will affect residents’ quality of life for an
extended period.
The development is also expected to negatively impact the value of surrounding properties,
including my own. Loss of views, reduced natural light, increased congestion, and decreased
overall amenity are all factors that can diminish the desirability and market value of nearby
apartments and buildings.
Importantly, the proposal does not appear to provide adequate communal or recreational space for
residents, unlike many recent developments. This lack of contribution to leisure and open space
places additional pressure on existing public areas and fails to meet evolving expectations for
liveability in higher-density developments.
While I would not object to a development of up to 26 storeys if it were appropriately positioned
along Merrylands Road, the proposed location is unsuitable for such scale. In this specific location,
the development should be limited to a maximum of six storeys to better align with community
expectations, protect local amenity, and reduce adverse impacts.
For these reasons, I strongly oppose the proposal in its current form.

Merrylands Road already operates at or near capacity. A 37-storey mixed-use development generating residential, commercial and retail traffic will worsen existing congestion. Currently, the traffic around the area is already worse. One major development across the proposed development is about the finish. This will greatly affect the traffic congestion within the area. And with the proposed development, I don’t think the roads around the area can handle the amount of vehicles and people.

Subject: Formal Objection – Proposed Development at 215 & 229–239 Pitt Street, Merrylands (SSD-79844224)

To Whom It May Concern,

I write to lodge a formal objection to the proposed State Significant Development (SSD-79844224) at 215 and 229–239 Pitt Street, Merrylands.

I am a resident of 245 Merrylands Road and have significant concerns regarding the impacts of this proposal on surrounding residents, the local streetscape, and the broader Merrylands community.

1. Inconsistency and Lack of Clarity in Exhibition Material
The NSW Planning Portal describes the current proposal as a 37-storey mixed-use development, comprising 238 affordable housing apartments, commercial and retail uses, basement parking, and associated works.

However, a supporting document titled “Amended Clause 4.6 Variation to Floor Space Ratio” outlines a materially different proposal for the same site, namely a 24-storey development incorporating:

88 Residential Aged Care Facility beds
98 Independent Living Units
Commercial uses and basement parking
This document also identifies a floor space ratio exceedance of 1,648.72m² (11.6%).

The existence of these materially different schemes within the same exhibition is deeply concerning. Public exhibition must be clear, accurate, and transparent to allow affected stakeholders to properly understand and assess the proposal. The current inconsistency creates confusion regarding the true scale, use, and impacts of the development, thereby undermining the integrity of the consultation process.

I respectfully request that the consent authority clarify which proposal is being assessed and ensure that all documentation is consistent and accurate before any determination is made.

2. Fire Safety and Evacuation Concerns
A critical concern relates to fire safety, particularly if any component of the proposal accommodates elderly, frail, disabled, or mobility-impaired residents.

The Clause 4.6 documentation indicates that the earlier scheme included aged care accommodation requiring assisted living support. In a multi-storey building, this raises serious and legitimate questions regarding emergency evacuation procedures.

Specifically:

How would non-ambulatory residents be safely evacuated in the event of fire or smoke?
Would evacuation rely on staff assistance, fire-isolated stairs, evacuation lifts, or refuge areas?
What performance-based fire engineering measures are proposed, and how robust are they in real-world emergency scenarios?
While compliance with technical codes may be demonstrated, the practical evacuation of vulnerable occupants from upper levels remains a significant public safety concern. This issue warrants detailed scrutiny and transparent explanation prior to any approval.

3. Excessive Height, Bulk and Scale
The proposed 37-storey height represents a substantial escalation compared to the 24-storey scheme referenced in supporting documentation and appears excessive within the Merrylands context.

Such scale introduces significant adverse impacts, including:

Visual dominance and overbearing bulk
Incompatibility with the surrounding built environment
Erosion of the existing streetscape character
A development of this magnitude must be rigorously justified. Based on the information provided, it appears to prioritise density and yield over appropriate urban design outcomes.

4. Amenity Impacts
The proposal is likely to result in a range of adverse amenity impacts on neighbouring properties and the public domain, including:

Overshadowing: Reduced sunlight access to surrounding dwellings and public spaces
Privacy impacts: Increased overlooking into neighbouring residences
Wind impacts: Potential downdrafts and reduced pedestrian comfort at street level
Loss of amenity: General reduction in liveability for nearby residents
These impacts are significant and should be carefully assessed against established planning and design standards.

5. Traffic, Parking and Infrastructure Pressure
A development of this scale will inevitably increase demand on local infrastructure and services, including:

Road networks and intersections
Parking availability
Public transport capacity
Community services and utilities
Without clear and convincing evidence that these systems can accommodate the increased demand, the proposal risks placing unacceptable strain on the local area.

6. Cumulative and Precedent Impacts
Approval of a development of this height and density may set an undesirable precedent for future proposals in Merrylands, potentially leading to incremental overdevelopment and further erosion of local amenity.

Strategic planning principles require that growth be managed in a balanced and coordinated manner. This proposal, in its current form, risks undermining that objective.

Conclusion
For the reasons outlined above, I object to the proposed development in its current form.

In particular, I request that the Department give careful consideration to:

The inconsistency between the exhibited development schemes and the need for clear, accurate documentation
The adequacy of fire safety and evacuation strategies, particularly for vulnerable occupants
The excessive height, bulk, and scale of the proposed development
The resulting impacts on residential amenity, safety, and local infrastructure
Until these matters are satisfactorily addressed, the proposal should not be approved.

Thank you for your consideration of this submission.

SSD 79844224 – Public Safety and National Security Risks

Merrylands Central (NSW 2160) is an established crime-affected precinct. Recent high-rise developments, including 'Gladstone Village' and 'Mason & Main', have introduced additional public safety and national security challenges that local police are neither adequately equipped nor sufficiently trained to manage. Within the past 24 months, the area has experienced serious incidents, including a mass stabbing and the murder of pedestrians. Based on these observed patterns, the proposed in-fill development for low income families is likely to exacerbate existing risks and may contribute to a loss of control over the law and order situation.

Below are the public safety and national security concerns that will be directly affected by the new development:
1. Criminal misuse of residential units:
In both 'Gladstone Village' and 'Mason & Main', multiple NDIS-allocated units intended for severely disabled elderly residents have been unlawfully accessed and used by criminal groups for drug-related gatherings and illicit activities. These incidents have occurred repeatedly.

The introduction of in-fill affordable housing increases the likelihood that vulnerable residents may be pressured, coerced, or financially incentivised to permit unauthorised individuals to use their premises. This would further deteriorate the law and order situation and elevate both public safety and national security risks.

2. Airbnb and illegal short term rental activity:
In 'Gladstone Village' and 'Mason & Main', property agents have facilitated illegal investment schemes involving foreign investors, using these funds to purchase or lease units that are then unlawfully sublet as short term rentals. This activity breaches strata by-laws and the State Environmental Planning Policy (Short Term Rental Accommodation) 2021, commonly referred to as SEPP STRA 2021.

Such units have been used for late night parties, illicit activities, and gatherings involving unknown individuals. The proposed development would increase the supply of units that can be exploited in this manner, thereby heightening risks to community safety and reducing the ability of authorities to monitor occupancy.

3. Facilitation of unlawful immigration:
In 'Gladstone Village' and 'Mason & Main', there have been instances where property agents have intentionally rented units to individuals residing unlawfully in Australia, using fraudulent documentation to bypass verification processes.

The proposed development would expand the number of units available for such misuse, making it more difficult for authorities to track occupancy and enforce compliance. This represents both a public safety concern and a national security risk, particularly given the proximity to critical transport infrastructure.

4. Vulnerability to harmful influence and youth gang involvement:
Merrylands has a high concentration of newly arrived residents, many of whom have limited English proficiency and rely heavily on close community networks for information and support. Individuals in such circumstances can be more vulnerable to harmful influence, coercion, or exploitation by extremist actors, particularly when they lack access to mainstream services or independent sources of information.

This vulnerability is recognised in national security assessments as a factor that can increase susceptibility to radicalisation or recruitment into extremist activities, especially in areas with existing social disadvantage.

Youth gang activity is already a documented issue around Merrylands Station and the bus interchange. Young people in socially and economically vulnerable households are at increased risk of targeted recruitment, whether by local gangs or by individuals seeking to promote violent or extremist ideologies. This creates both public safety risks and national security risks.

Placing additional vulnerable families in this environment increases exposure to these risks and reduces the ability of authorities to monitor and intervene early.

5. Location-based risks near critical transport infrastructure:
The proposed development is located within close walking distance of Merrylands Station and the bus interchange, accessible through multiple back alleys. This configuration creates opportunities for offenders to escape quickly and avoid detection.

The building would be an attractive target for petty criminals, and in extreme circumstances, could facilitate hostage-type situations. Existing high-rise buildings in the area have already demonstrated that police face significant delays in reaching upper floors, particularly at night. Adding another high rise structure in this location increases these operational risks.

Conclusion:
Based on the documented incidents in Merrylands Central, including violent crime, criminal misuse of units, illegal short term rental activity, tenancy fraud, unlawful immigration facilitation, youth gang activity, and police response limitations, the proposed in-fill development will significantly increase both public safety risks and national security risks.

For these reasons, I strongly oppose SSD 79844224.

To the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure,
I wish to formally object to the proposed mixed-use development at 215, 229–239 Pitt Street, Merrylands, Application No. SSD-79844224.
I am a nearby resident and recent purchaser of an apartment in the surrounding area. I respectfully submit that this proposal will have a significant and adverse impact on the amenity, outlook, and liveability of neighbouring properties, including my own.
My objection is based on the following concerns:
1. Loss of outlook and views
The proposed 37-storey development is of a scale and height that will severely obstruct the existing outlook from nearby apartments. As a recent purchaser, I made a significant financial commitment based on the amenity and character of the surrounding area. The bulk and height of this building will materially diminish the value and enjoyment of neighbouring residences.
2. Loss of natural light and sunlight
The size and form of the development will result in substantial overshadowing of nearby apartments and common areas. This will reduce access to natural light and sunlight, which is essential for residential amenity, energy efficiency, and general wellbeing. The loss of daylight will have a direct negative impact on the habitability of surrounding homes.
3. Traffic congestion and overdevelopment
Merrylands is already experiencing substantial pressure from ongoing high-rise development in the surrounding area. The addition of another large-scale building with 185 car parking spaces and a significant residential population will place further strain on local roads, traffic flow, parking demand, public transport, and community infrastructure. The cumulative effect of multiple high-rise projects is creating an overdeveloped environment that is not being adequately matched by supporting infrastructure.
4. Cumulative impact on the suburb
While individual developments may be presented as beneficial in isolation, the combined impact of several large developments in close proximity must be properly considered. The area is already experiencing intensified density, increased congestion, and reduced residential amenity. This proposal will contribute further to the overpopulation and overdevelopment of the suburb.
For these reasons, I request that the Department give serious consideration to the negative impacts on surrounding residents and refuse the proposal, or alternatively require substantial modifications to reduce the building’s height, bulk, and overall impact on neighbouring properties.
Yours faithfully,
Maryam Taboule,
Lot Owner of:
Unit 1406/245 Merrylands Road,
Merrylands, NSW, 2160
Ph: 0405234505

Excessive height and overdevelopment inconsistent with the local area
• Loss of skyline views and residential amenity
• Overshadowing and reduced natural light
• Increased traffic congestion and inadequate parking provision
• Strain on local infrastructure, schools, and services including the public transport
• Negative impact on property values and neighbourhood character
We respectfully request that the proposal be rejected or significantly
reduced in scale.

Submission – Objection to Proposed Development at 215 & 229–239 Pitt Street, Merrylands (SSD-79844224)*
I strongly object to the proposed 37-storey development at 215 & 229–239 Pitt Street, Merrylands.
While i support responsible and sustainable growth within our community, the current proposal is highly inappropriate for this location. If approved, it will inflict irreversible damage on the livability, safety, and character of our neighbourhood
Core Concerns & Grounds for Opposition
We urge the planning authority to reject this proposal based on the following critical issues:

Excessive Height and Overdevelopment: The proposed scale, bulk, and height of this development are grossly disproportionate to the surrounding environment. It represents a severe overdevelopment of the site and sets a dangerous precedent that contradicts the established zoning principles and architectural harmony of the local area.

Loss of Skyline Views and Residential Amenity: The sheer size of the building will obstruct long-standing skyline views enjoyed by existing residents. Furthermore, the positioning and scale will severely compromise the privacy of adjacent homes, encroaching on the established residential amenity that our community currently enjoys.

Overshadowing and Reduced Natural Light: The height and massing of the proposed structure will create significant overshadowing on neighbouring properties and public spaces. This dramatic reduction in natural light and winter sun will negatively impact the energy efficiency of surrounding homes, hinder the growth of local flora, and degrade the overall well-being of residents.

Increased Traffic Congestion and Inadequate Parking: Our local road network is currently operating at or near capacity. The influx of new residents, visitors, and deliveries associated with a development of this size will result in severe traffic congestion and create safety hazards for pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, the inadequate parking provisions within the proposal will inevitably lead to spillover parking on our already crowded residential streets.

Strain on Local Infrastructure, Schools, and Services: The proposed development threatens to overwhelm our community’s infrastructure. Local schools, medical centers, emergency services, public transport, and utility networks (water, sewage, and waste management) are already stretched. Approving this high-density project without first securing major infrastructure upgrades is irresponsible and unsustainable.

Negative Impact on Neighbourhood Character and Property Values: [ Merrylands ] possesses a distinct community character and charm that this monolithic development would permanently erode. By destroying the visual appeal, increasing noise and traffic, and diminishing the quality of life, this project threatens to have a detrimental economic impact on the property values of existing homeowners who have invested in this community.
Call to Action
I hereby
1 - Formally reject the current planning application for [Insert Address].

2 - Mandate that any future proposals for this site strictly adhere to the existing height limits, density guidelines, and character profiles of the neighbourhood.

3 -Conduct further, transparent community consultations to ensure that any future development on this site genuinely benefits—rather than burdens—the local community.