I am a local resident and I strongly support this development. I am raising my children just around the corner in Willoughby and would love the area to be somewhere that more young families can afford to live, not just rich old people. I want more diversity in the area, more residents, more homes, and more amenity. Castlecrag is not pulling its weight with regard to new housing and this development goes a long way towards fixing that.

Formal Objection - SSD-90134958
100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag

I object to the proposed State Significant Development Application for a 13‑storey residential building at 100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag.
I am a long‑term resident of Castlecrag and value it greatly for its small scale, quiet character and strong sense of community. It is defined by low‑density housing, modest built form and an environment that has evolved carefully over time. There are no existing apartment buildings of this scale in the area, and this proposal would fundamentally and permanently alter the character that makes Castlecrag a desirable and cohesive place to live.

A building of 13 storeys is entirely out of scale with its surroundings and would stand out as a dominant and visually intrusive structure. Rather than complementing the neighbourhood, it would overwhelm it, appearing as a stark anomaly in a suburb that has never accommodated, nor planned for, development of this height or intensity. The proposed building would irrevocably change the skyline, streetscape and overall feel of the area, to the detriment of residents who chose to live here because of its existing character.

The scale, height and density of the proposal constitute clear overdevelopment of the site. Such an abrupt transition in built form is not orderly, not sensitive to context, and not consistent with sound planning principles. The impacts on amenity and neighbourhood identity would be immediate and permanent, with no realistic prospect of mitigation once the building is constructed.

The application appears to rely on the State Significant Development pathway to justify an outcome that would otherwise be unacceptable under normal planning controls. No compelling site‑specific or strategic rationale has been provided to explain why this particular suburb, with no prior apartment development and no established high‑density framework, should absorb a tower of this magnitude. Any claimed housing benefit is insufficient to justify the loss of character, amenity and community value that would result.

Approval of this development would also set a troubling precedent, signalling that low‑scale suburbs are vulnerable to extreme development outcomes irrespective of local planning intent or community expectations. This undermines confidence in the planning system and raises serious concerns about cumulative impacts over time.

Castlecrag is not simply a collection of lots, but a community that residents care for and wish to see respected and protected. The proposed development would cause lasting harm that far outweighs any asserted benefit. In my view, the proposal is not proportionate, not compatible with its context, and not in the public interest. For these reasons, I strongly object to the application and submit that it should be refused.

I believe it will provide positive benefits to the local area and contribute to a more vibrant and well-balanced neighbourhood.

The construction phase will provide short-term employment opportunities for local trades, suppliers, and associated industries, contributing to economic activity within the immediate area. Beyond the construction period, the introduction of additional residents will increase local population catchment, supporting sustained demand for nearby businesses and community services.
Over time, a stronger and more consistently populated neighbourhood can enhance the viability of local cafés, retail outlets, and service providers, while also contributing to improved patronage and efficiency of public transport networks. Collectively, this supports a more active, resilient, and economically sustainable local centre.

I object to the proposed development of 150 units at 100 Edinburgh Road - I own and reside opposite the site. The proposal is grossly out of scale and would forever be a terrible blot on the landscape, far exceeding the tree canopy on the ridgeline and it would be visible for kilometres – another Blues Point Towers?
Castlecrag is not well connected to public transport and cannot be considered a “transport hub” – the increased traffic would gridlock an area already under pressure.
I (and I don’t doubt the majority of the local community) just wish we could look forward to the construction of the Council approved plans for the site which would return our community hub to us and at the same time, increase housing density for the area. We have been waiting far too long already.
Jayne Crawford

I object to the Conquest EIS on the following grounds:
1. Traffic - will create excessive traffic buildup in peak hours along Edinburgh Road from Eastern Valley way. Cars idling will create fumes.
2. Overshadowing - recent observations indicate new proposal have exceeded all reasonable prior expectations. Obviously overshadowing will occur on the immediate houses at the rear of the intended building.
3. Visual impact - shocking unbelievably tall edifices will argue with the surrounding gentile nature of the suburb. Completely dominates the suburb and is a retrograde step. Which will impact the area for years to come.
4. Heritage - the Griffin Conservation Area is frequently visited by huge groups of interested historians who keep the vision of this unique area alive. The concept of putting this huge edifice on the top of a hill is incredibly damaging to this Conservation Area.
How did this get approved for SSD status when other countries (such as Northern Ireland) preserve their heritage of buildings built at a height not exceeding the landscape .

As a previous resident of Castlecrag, I am not happy with the proposed 13 storey mixed use development at 100 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag. While I believe that perhaps up to 5 storeys,max ,is necessary on this site I think any thing more will not be in keeping with the area and suburb as a whole. A development with 2 tower blocks seems totally out of scale to the surrounding area. Also being on the corner of a major intersection I can see that there could be major traffic congestion, particularly for the local residents living further down Edinburgh Rd as they try to get in and out of their suburb.
The planning of Castlecrag by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin makes it a unique area and while I agree that further housing developments are necessary in the area, I think the size of this devlopment needs to be re-considered.
Thank you for the opportunity to have my say.

Please refer to the attached letter outlining my objections to proposed development at 100 Edinburgh Rd Castlecrag - SSD 90134958.
Yours faithfully
Garry Morrow
27 The Parapet
Castlecrag

We can all agree that we need more high density housing, The Northbridge pub and surrounding buildings have been closed to make way for a five story apartment block. This makes sense. Northbridge shops are a built up area with access to many arterial roads close by. Now a development three times as high being proposed in Castlecrag, a suburb with one main road in and out is absolutely absurd. Five stories with 38 apartments turned into 13 stories with 150 apartments is pure greed from Conquest real estate property firm (might I note a hilariously ironic name in this context). They may hide by the high and mighty argument that every suburb needs to increase population density for the greater good and call us all NIMBY’s, but they care solely about profit, highlighted with only 10 affordable units planned. Residential planning is exactly that, planning. There is no plan here. This is a money grab. The scale is completely wrong. I employ you to go outside and look at a 13 story building, it’s laughable how big there proposal is. I hope you come to the same conclusion as myself and many others, as I can assure you not everyone who object with go through this submission process. To put in to a % of population increase for the suburb, the average 150 apartment building holds 400 people, Castlecrag has 2,965 = 13.5% increase in residents. All being concentrated in one building.