The height of this proposal is enormous and completely out of character with the surrounding suburb. This project would spoil views, block sunlight and stick up like a sore thumb. I choose to live on this side of the bridge to feel like I am in the suburbs - not to look at an enormous building and have the residents look at me!

I am writing as an owner-occupier at 52/19-23 Herbert Street, St Leonards, directly adjacent to the proposed development, to formally object to SSD-88511459.

Scale and neighbourhood character
The proposal for three towers, with the tallest reaching approximately 39 storeys, is grossly disproportionate to the surrounding built environment. Herbert Towers, where I reside, is 13 storeys. This development would represent a near-tripling of scale on a site that has not historically supported residential density of this kind.Loss of solar access and privacy
My apartment directly faces the proposed site. The approved massing will result in severe overshadowing of my living areas and balcony for the majority of daylight hours, particularly during winter months. The towers will also directly overlook private living spaces, eliminating any reasonable expectation of privacy for residents on the western side of Herbert Towers.Traffic and emergency access
Herbert Street and Westbourne Street are the primary access routes to the Birth Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital. Adding 413 apartments to this precinct will materially increase vehicle movements on roads that already struggle with hospital traffic, SBS staff commutes, and Australia Post operations. In an emergency, every additional minute of delay has real consequences.Parking and infrastructure
The proposed on-site parking is inadequate for a development of this density. Overflow parking will saturate the surrounding streets, which are already at capacity. I am also concerned that the proposal has not adequately assessed the cumulative stormwater and utility load in the context of other concurrent St Leonards developments.Conclusion
I urge the Department to reject this application in its current form. At minimum, any approved scheme must be significantly reduced in height, floor space ratio, and unit count to be compatible with the existing neighbourhood.

I am an owner at Herbert Towers (19-23 Herbert Street) and I object to this proposal.

I am very concerned about the scale of the development. Two towers with up to 39 storeys and 413 apartments seem far too large for the site and would have a major impact on surrounding residents.

My apartment is north facing and currently receives valuable winter sunlight in both bedrooms, the living and dining area, as well as the balcony and sunroom. I am concerned that the proposed tower on the northern boundary will significantly reduce the sunlight currently enjoyed by my apartment and negatively affect its amenity and liveability.

I currently enjoy an open outlook from my living areas and balcony. Herbert Towers consists of two relatively low-rise buildings and, despite seeing the neighbouring Herbert Tower, I still enjoy a sense of space and a substantial view of the sky. This open aspect is one of the things I value most about my apartment. I am concerned that a 39-storey tower immediately next door would replace this with a wall of high-rise buildings, resulting in the loss of sky views, openness and natural light that I currently enjoy.

Herbert Towers is already an older and lower-rise building compared with many of the newer developments surrounding us. In my view, we have already become less attractive to buyers and tenants compared with the newer buildings in the area, and I am concerned that a 39-storey development immediately next door would further worsen this. The loss of sunlight, outlook and increased density so close to our building would make existing apartments less desirable and could adversely affect their resale and rental values.

I am also concerned about wind safety around the footpaths and entrances that residents use every day. Tall buildings can create strong wind gusts, and I do not believe these impacts have been properly assessed before approval. The safety and comfort of pedestrians and residents should not be overlooked.

We have already experienced low water pressure issues in our building, and I am concerned that adding another 413 apartments connected to the same water mains could place even more pressure on the existing infrastructure. This also raises concerns for me about fire safety, and I do not believe sufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate that the current services can adequately cope.

I am also concerned about years of construction noise, dust and vibration, and the potential risk of damage to neighbouring buildings. The proposed basement excavation and construction right on our boundary would have a significant impact on residents.
St Leonards is already experiencing significant high-density development, and I do not believe the cumulative impact of so many projects on residents and local infrastructure has been properly considered.

For these reasons, I respectfully object to this proposal and ask that it be refused. Existing residents and owners should not bear the cost of excessive development through the loss of sunlight, amenity and property value.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Loss of Sunlight: The 39-storey tower blocks winter sun to our northern face.
Excessive Scale: The project is far bigger than current zoning rules allow.
Loss of Views: Residential apartment views have been completely ignored.
Wind Tunnel Effects: Desktop testing has been deferred instead of doing real tunnel tests.
Water Pressure & Fire Safety: The developer hasn't proven the water mains can cope.
Construction Impact: Severe noise, vibration, and structural risks on our boundary.
Precinct Density: The cumulative impact of too many local towers at once.

Please refer to the attached objection letter dated 12 June 2026.

1: Solar Access & Overshadowing:
Potential reduction of sunlight and solar access to your specific apartment, balconies, or our building's common property.
2: Privacy, Views & Visual Character:
Direct looking-in from the new towers, loss of existing views, and the impact on the visual character of our immediate area.
Traffic, Parking & Pedestrians:
Increased local traffic congestion, delivery vehicle pressure, parking demand, and pedestrian activity on Herbert Street.
3: Water Supply & Infrastructure:
Increased strain on local water supply, infrastructure capacity, and general utility servicing requirements.
4: Construction Disruption:
Significant local impacts during excavation and building phases, including noise, dust, and structural vibrations right next to our foundations.
5: Wind Impacts:
Altered wind conditions, down-drafts, and increased wind velocity around the site and surrounding streets.
6: Scale, Density & Cumulative Impact:
The sheer scale and density of this proposal, alongside the cumulative impact of other high-density developments in the St Leonards precinct.

please find attachement

1. Solar Access & Overshadowing: Potential reduction of sunlight and solar access to your specific apartment, balconies, or our building's common property.
2. Privacy, Views & Visual Character: Direct looking-in from the new towers, loss of existing views, and the impact on the visual character of our immediate area.
3. Traffic, Parking & Pedestrians: Increased local traffic congestion, delivery vehicle pressure, parking demand, and pedestrian activity on Herbert Street.
3. Water Supply & Infrastructure: Increased strain on local water supply, infrastructure capacity, and general utility servicing requirements.
5. Construction Disruption: Significant local impacts during excavation and building phases, including noise, dust, and structural vibrations right next to our foundations.
6. Wind Impacts: Altered wind conditions, down-drafts, and increased wind velocity around the site and surrounding streets.
7. Scale, Density & Cumulative Impact: The sheer scale and density of this proposal, alongside the cumulative impact of other high-density developments in the St Leonards precinct.

PLease find Attached Objection to development Application SSD-88511459
Sincerely
Melvyn White

whilst i agree with the need for more housing in nsw, sydney and the local area.
i’m concerned with the height of the 39 storey tower in this development.
it’s visual impact on the surrounding houses and the local environment. it will be visually unappealing and intrusive for most residents.
the examples given in the visual impact statement is bias , understated and completely unrealistic to the true impact of this building to the local residents and its surroundings.

the developer has used the recent and ongoing high rise development in the crows nest and St leonard’s area as a reason for its height, however the area it plans to be built in is far away from the current TOD rezoning area.
it’s not in keeping with the current height of buildings in the area - a low rise suburban environment.
i’m also concerned with the amount of car spaces planned for this development and the impact it will make on the already congested traffic issues in the area- made up of local streets and the main thoroughfare being herbert st - a high pedestrian area due to the hospital and other facilities- currently with a 40km speed limit.

could it not be 3 towers of lower height- still providing much needed housing whilst still maintaining an acceptable height and a pleasant environment for the existing residents- and also utilising the nearby transport hub to reduce the need for so many cars.