I support the project

My objections relate to the 113 units and the incredible traffic this will add to already congested roads in that immediate area.
As one of the older cities in Australia, inner city Newcastle has narrow streets and limited parking which already struggles with the increased traffic. More businesses, more high density housing in East Newcastle and Newcastle and Newcastle West has created a car gridlock for peak hours. This is already the situation and the government officials considering this proposal will surely do due diligence and drive in this area and conduct traffic studies before making a decision. The public deserve access to the results of these traffic studies.
We certainly need more housing but such a building would be better placed with traffic and transport infrastructure to compliment and support such a project.
This situation is similar to what has happened on the Gold Coast. Many high density buildings giving developers and investors substantial returns but creating a terrible traffic fiasco that now makes visiting the area less desirable.

Both myself and my husband consider the position selected for this development is not the appropriate.
The Civic Centre precinct is Newcastle’s cultural hub. There is already too much congestion in the inner city of Newcastle. Alternate suggested locations for high rise residential buildings are Hamilton North, Wickham, Maryville, Broadmeadow. These locations would be close to public transportation.

Public Submission – Objection to 47 Darby Street Proposal
I object to the proposed development at 47 Darby Street, Newcastle. While I support appropriate inner‑city growth, this proposal is inconsistent with Newcastle’s planning controls, heritage values, and long‑term strategic direction.
Excessive height and bulk
The legal height limit is 14 metres. The developer seeks a “spot rezone” to increase this to 45 metres, an unprecedented departure from the LEP that would set a damaging precedent for ad‑hoc height escalation.
Impact on Civic Park and public spaces
The front tower would visually dominate Civic Park, overshadowing its gardens, cultural institutions, war memorials, and places of worship. This is one of Newcastle’s most significant civic spaces and deserves protection.
Poor planning and inadequate setbacks
Both buildings lack appropriate setbacks, creating an overbearing, bulky form that is incompatible with the human scale of Darby Street and the Civic Precinct.
Strategic failure
Newcastle’s planning strategy directs high‑rise development to designated corridors—not the Civic Park edge. This proposal disregards that strategy and undermines coherent city planning.
Minimal public benefit
The public benefit offered is minimal compared with the permanent impact on a regionally significant civic and cultural precinct. Private luxury housing does not justify this scale of intrusion.
Loss of heritage
The proposal demolishes the 1930s Interwar former electrical machine shop, identified as a ‘Contributory 2’ Historic Building. Removing recognised heritage fabric further erodes the character of the precinct.
Conclusion
This development is inappropriate in scale, location, and impact. I urge the consent authority to reject the proposal and uphold the planning principles that protect Newcastle’s heritage, civic spaces, and strategic vision.

In particular having a 12 story building that is 45 metres high directly opposite the newly completed art gallery is completely out of character of the culturally and historic Civic precinct, a part which is Newcastle’s jewel in the crown
This particular area of Newcastle needs to be retained for future generations to appreciate and enjoy
Cooks Hill is considered unique historically and with all buildings being low rise and now having a high rise development being proposed and if approved will set the precedent for more high rise to be built and completely change the Cooks Hill environment we now appreciate
There are already traffic problems at the corner of Tyrrell and Darby Street and traffic banks up Tyrrell street at that intersection particularly in the morning peak and after the school pick ups in the afternoon
Vehicles exiting from the 113 residential units plus the commercial development are going to exacerbate the problem we locals now have at that intersection

Height is too high. Nothing in street scape is this high. Surrounded by terrace of heritage.

This is absolutely absurd and with so many unit blocks going up this will ruin the aesthetics of newcastle.

This project does not align with the Darby Street Cooks Hill precinct. This area is located on a peninsula there is basically one road in and out. This project is not supported by appropriate infrastructure. In recent years the Harris Farm Market development in Darby Street has increased traffic to a stand still level on most days in and out of Darby Street and this proposed project would only exacerbate this. The traffic movement in and out of this facility is dangerous and many accidents occurring from drivers turning right when leaving causing the complete road of Darby Street to be held up from flowing.
This is a small village area and does not support such a large development. There is already no parking for those enjoying the cafes and nightlife in Darby Street and this would make it impossible for those coming into the area for the day especially on weekends. The University of Newcastle central hub is located within 200 metres of this development and does not have parking and they are increasing their footprint at honeysuckle again with no parking facilities. The parking facilities at Honeysuckle are ear marked to be removed to support futher development by Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation and the University of Newcastle and this will remove 3500 current car parking spaces. These are not to be replaced and therefore this development that is not supported would only add to this difficult situation of traffic management, parking and quiet enjoyment of the area. We do not want this area to become like the Gold Coast that has approved similar developments without due consideration of the surrounding areas and not having the infrastructure to support the same.

My objection is based on several issues with this project: social impacts given the location right opposite the Newcastle Art Gallery and the impact of the height of this project, the traffic congestion and the loss of light on existing residences behind this proposed development and this being a luxury housing project rather than an affordable housing project and finally the inappropriate proposed height of the building which is not in keeping with that exact area. Other thoughtfully located housing developments of the height and higher exist in the corridor between Hunter and King streets without impacting existing residences.
Thank you.

This project insults the sound integrity of Newcastle heritage and history, seeking to ruin our skyline for the capital gain of wealthy pockets.