I write to formally object to the above development application. The proposal for nine buildings up to five storeys, comprising over 200 units and visitor accommodation, is fundamentally incompatible with the Katoomba community and its environment. I urge the decision-maker to refuse this application for the following reasons:

1. WORLD HERITAGE AND VISUAL IMPACT
The site sits adjacent to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The proposed scale of nine buildings up to five storeys would cause severe and irreversible visual harm to the escarpment landscape. UNESCO World Heritage listing carries an obligation to protect outstanding universal value, including the visual integrity of the surrounding landscape. This development fails that obligation.

2. SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATION AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Given the tourism-focused nature of the proposal (serviced apartments, visitor-related uses), there is a strong likelihood that a significant proportion of residential units will be used as short-term rental accommodation (e.g. Airbnb). This would do nothing to address the chronic housing affordability crisis affecting Blue Mountains residents. The community needs permanent, affordable housing. Not more tourist accommodation dressed as residential development.

3. TRAFFIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY
Katoomba's road network is already under significant strain, particularly in the town centre and on key tourist routes. The addition of over 200 dwellings and visitor facilities will exacerbate existing traffic congestion well beyond what local infrastructure can absorb. No evidence has been presented that the surrounding road network can accommodate this increase in vehicle movements.

4. BUSHFIRE RISK
The Blue Mountains is one of the highest bushfire risk areas in Australia. The proposed density of residential and visitor uses in this location raises serious concerns about evacuation capacity and the safety of future occupants. I am not satisfied that bushfire risk has been adequately assessed or that appropriate mitigation measures are achievable at this scale.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT — KATOOMBA CREEK CATCHMENT
The scale of construction and increased impervious surfaces will significantly impact stormwater runoff into the Katoomba Creek catchment. Increased sediment loads, changed hydrology, and potential contamination from construction and ongoing occupation pose unacceptable risks to this sensitive catchment.

6. SCALE AND BUILT FORM
The proposed built form is grossly out of character with the surrounding neighbourhood and the Blue Mountains generally. The development does not reflect local planning controls and sets a dangerous precedent for overdevelopment in a sensitive heritage and environmental context.

7. INADEQUATE COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
I am concerned that community consultation before lodgement was insufficient.

For the reasons above, I strongly urge the decision-maker to refuse this application in its entirety. If the application is not refused, I request that significant conditions be imposed to reduce density, height, and the proportion of short-term accommodation uses, and to require comprehensive traffic, bushfire, and environmental impact assessments.
I lived on Cedar Street, and I do not want to see my neighbourhood ruined by a gigantic building.

We passionately object to the fact that this project proposes the building of 270 high rise apartments in a bushfire prone zone.

This development is going to impact the important surrounding ecosystems and would alter the whole look and feel of the upper mountains - where both locals and the conservation society have managed to prevent high density projects like this for so long.

Moreover, a development like this will set a precedent for more large and potential high rise developments to come, changing a large part of that makes our place feel so unique - like a village.

I am a resident of the Blue Mountains, living in Springwood for 18 years. I am concerned that the scale of the proposed development is too big for the sensitive ecological environment of the Blue Mountains and will significantly and negatively impact this World Heritage area. The proposal is putting multi-story buildings in an area that is zoned for low level building heights and is in contradiction to our Blue Mountains Local Environment Plan (LEP).

The site is adjacent to Blue Mountains Swamps, a Threatened Ecological Community. These swamps feed the Katoomba Falls catchment - one of a handful of areas supporting the Critically Endangered Dwarf Mountain Pine (Pherosphaera fitzgeraldii).
Increased hard surfaces would change water flow to the swamps, increase stormwater velocity and reduce groundwater infiltration, severely degrading these ecosystems. Polluted runoff and weed spread would impact the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (BMWHA) and Sydney’s drinking water catchment.
I have lived through a number of major bushfires in the Blue Mountains. Putting a housing development in such a high-risk area is dangerous and negligent. Having one evacuation exit endangers the proposed residents and the existing residents. Only one main evacuation route leads to the Great Western Highway, and this is vulnerable during fires and other major weather events.
The Blue Mountains is one of the most bushfire prone areas in Australia - currently, 26% of homes in the area are exposed to high bushfire risk. This figure is expected to increase to 90% by 2090, due to climate change. Adding hundreds of new residents would increase risk to life and hamper emergency response. The Blue Mountains City Council has stated that housing more people in high bushfire-risk areas is reckless and dangerous.
The proposal suggests good access to public transport and optimum roads int the area. This is incorrect as public transport is limited in that area leading to car dependence. The development would add several hundred additional vehicles to the narrow local roads.
One of the attractions of the Blue Mountains to both residents and visitors is its unique bush environment, the escarpments and vistas and the unique character of the towns. The proposal threatens the distinctive character of Katoomba, and surrounding visitor destinations. High density, multi-story, urban-style development is incompatible with the Mountains' scale,
landscape and cultural identity. Tourism, liveability and community wellbeing would be adversely affected.
The Blue Mountains are not an outer suburb of Sydney. They provide a unique bushland environment for both humans and the diverse flora and fauna. Development needs to be sensitive, appropriate and at a low scale so as not to negatively impact this unique part of NSW. I urge the panel to reject this application.

Refer to attachment

Dear Major Projects,
I attach my submission/objection in relation to SSD‑80626208.
Yours faithfully,
David Liebhold

Good evening

Yet again, another proposed development that gives rise to a net loss of affordable housing and a gain of too many car spaces for a building in a major transport hub. These features run directly counter to the NSW Government's intent of building more affordable housing.

I understand that the developer would demolish two existing low-rise buildings that currently contain 106 dwellings (including 50 studios), and replace them with a just 65 dwellings (24 two-bedroom and 41 three-bedroom apartments). Only two of these are proposed to be Affordable Housing in perpetuity.

There are no studio or one-bedroom apartments proposed at all. That means fewer smaller, more attainable homes in a location that is exceptionally well-served by public transport, including a major train station and bus interchange.

The proposal also increases basement excavation from three to five levels, delivering 140 car spaces (including 118 for residents), along with motorcycle and bicycle parking. For a site located right next to a major transport hub, this level of car parking is excessive and sends the wrong signal about how the area should function. I would like to see modelled the likely impact on the existing infrastructure.

Kind regards

I am the owner of 31 Cameron Street Edgecliff where I have resided for some three decades. I want to register a strong objection to the proposed development at 8-10 New McLean Street. While not objecting to a sympathetic redevelopment or upgrade of the site, the proposed plans indicate a gross overkill that would change the entire nature of the locale irrevocably. All this while failing a number of criteria that should prevent such over-development taking place. I am aware that you will have correspondence outlining such concerns in detail. Rather than bog the department down with repetitive argument let me state simply and clearly why this development application should - for a number of compelling reasons - be denied:

1. It is completely inappropriate for the area
2. It overwhelms local infrastructure
3. It fails the 'no net loss of dwellings' test, with no provision for genuinely affordable units
4. Construction breaches acceptable noise and vibration levels
5. Entails removal of 50% of the sites trees and overshadowing of Trumper Park
6. Unacceptable traffic congestion with no plan for alleviating it
7. Unpleasant local environmental change with the introduction of overshadowing and the creation of wind tunnels.
Yours sincerely,
Bani McSpedden

Refer to the Council Staff submission and annexures.