William Ballis
Unit 2005, 280–288 Burns Bay Road
Lane Cove NSW 2066
October 24, 2023
Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
NSW Government
RE: OBJECTION TO STATE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT – SSD-27925706 (300 BURNS BAY
ROAD)
To the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure,
I am writing to formally lodge my strongest opposition to the proposed development at 300 Burns Bay Road.
As a resident of the adjacent complex at 280–288 Burns Bay Road, I am not merely an interested neighbor; I
am a citizen whose daily life and fundamental independence will be profoundly compromised by this project.
Being legally blind, I rely on the consistency, safety, and light of my current environment to navigate the
world with dignity. This submission outlines how this gross overdevelopment threatens to strip away my
privacy, endanger my physical safety, and destroy the sanctuary I have built for myself in this community.
1. Personal Impact and Accessibility
As a legally blind citizen, my home and its immediate surroundings are my primary interface with the world.
I have chosen this location specifically because it provides a predictable, navigable environment that allows
me to maintain my independence. This proposal, in its current form, threatens to dismantle the safety and
quality of life I have worked hard to secure.
2. Loss of Privacy and Sanctuary
As a ground-floor resident, my courtyard is my only private outdoor sanctuary. The proposed 15-storey
tower—more than double the height of our current precinct—will create a "fishbowl" effect, with dozens of
balconies looking directly down into my living space. For a person with a visual impairment, the feeling of
being watched without being able to see who is watching creates a profound sense of vulnerability and a total
loss of the "quiet enjoyment" of my home.
3. Safety and Navigation Risks
Burns Bay Road is already a high-traffic environment. The influx of hundreds of additional vehicles and the
inevitable construction chaos represent a physical danger to me. Increased traffic density makes street
crossings more hazardous, and the added pressure on on-street parking will likely lead to footpath
obstructions. For me, a congested footpath or a chaotic intersection is not just an inconvenience—it is a
barrier to my mobility and a risk to my physical safety.
4. Overdevelopment and Character
The jump from a 21m height limit to a 15-storey tower is a gross violation of the planning controls that
protect this community. This scale is overwhelming and incompatible with the character of Lane Cove. It
feels like a predatory attempt to maximize profit at the expense of the residents who actually live here.
5. Strained Public Services
I rely heavily on local bus services and public infrastructure. These services are already stretched to their
limit. Adding a massive new population without a commensurate upgrade to transit and utilities will lead to a
breakdown in the services that residents like myself depend on for daily life.
6. Environmental Impact and Visual Amenity
While I reside on the ground floor and do not personally hold water views, I am acutely aware of the
"devastating" impact this development will have on residents on higher floors. The total obstruction of highly
valued views is a significant loss to our community’s character. For me personally, the impact is found in the
loss of light and space. As a person with limited remaining vision, I rely on high-contrast natural light to
perceive my surroundings. Replacing open sky with a looming 15-storey concrete wall will effectively "box
me in," reducing the ambient light I depend on and creating a shadowed environment that will negatively
impact my daily life and mental well-being.
7. Conclusion
This proposal is not a community-building exercise; it is an overdevelopment that ignores the lived reality of
the people it will overshadow. It fails to account for the needs of vulnerable residents and ignores the
established planning logic of the area. I urge the Department to refuse this application. A development of this
scale is a direct threat to my independence, my privacy, and my safety.
Sincerely,

William Ballis

I acknowledge the government is trying increase housing supply in Australia, however this current proposed design is highly unsuitable for the area. Firstly it is a desolate location for transport so will be adding a significant amount of traffic and add to environmental pollution. Secondly the proposed design is incredibly unsuitable for current area. Far too tall for the existing buildings and trees lines. Why are we forgoing our environment to cram more people in.
As a suggestion low to mid level apartment blocks would be much more suitable to the area. Let's not ruin what lane cove achieves so well of a balance of environment and infrastructure.

This 12-15 story building is expected to consist of 225 apartments and will cause major densification in a currently relatively low-medium density riverside area.
Burns Bay Road is already a key east-west connector, feeding into Epping Road & wider network.
With 300-500 extra cars, this will exacerbate an already overloaded road system, with its peak congestion and bottlenecks.
The area has limited public transport accessibility.
The proposed building is too tall & out of character. Setting a precedent for more high-rise nearby.
The strain on local facilities will be immense.
Parks, shopping, schools, childcare health services, water, sewer & stormwater systems.
We strongly object to this structure.

We simply do not have the infrastructure for hundreds of people in this vicinity. Lane Cove is already a crowded suburb, we simply are unable to offer the resources - schools / car parks / road use throughout peak hour / the impact on our natural environment etc for this amount of apartments.
Burns Bay Road in Lane Cove West has diabolical wait-times at peak hour and yet you’re willing to create further traffic. It’s nonsensical.
But let’s face it. This is about fiscal gain for a company, not community growth. Lane Cove does not want to turn into high rise skyline like you have done with North Ryde / Macquarie area.

I am writing to formally oppose the proposed development involving the demolition of existing structures and the construction of three residential flat buildings (RFBs) at 300 Burns Bay Road. This development poses several concerns that I believe warrant serious consideration:
Height and Scale: The proposed buildings are significantly taller than the existing dwellings in the area, creating an imposing visual impact. This height increase will overshadow neighbouring properties and disrupt the established streetscape, diminishing the neighbourhood's character. It’s unbelievable that the new buildings are proposing to over double the number of levels of existing buildings.
Aesthetic Concerns: The architectural design of the proposed RFBs is inconsistent with the surrounding homes, which predominantly feature low/mid-rise and family-oriented designs. This disparity will detract from the visual appeal of Lane Cove, making the development an eyesore. The introduction of high-rise buildings this tall will alter the fabric of our area.
Traffic Congestion: The addition of three residential flat buildings will likely increase the volume of vehicles on local roads, particularly during peak hours. Limited access points may cause bottlenecks, especially on Burns Bay Road, leading to safety hazards for pedestrians and cyclists. The intersection of Burns Bay Road and Penrose st is already congested.
Public Transport Capacity: The proposed development could overwhelm existing public transport services, leading to overcrowded buses and longer wait times for residents who rely on these services. This increased demand could discourage the use of public transport, contrary to sustainable development goals. There are no trains or metro in this area.
Impact on Burns Bay Reserve: Burns Bay Reserve, a vital green space in our community, is currently unsuitable for such a large increase in population. The increase in residents will place undue pressure on the reserve, which is already facing challenges related to visitor capacity, maintenance, and environmental preservation. The master plan for this area is already many years overdue. Many residents oppose development to this beautiful, natural space as there are not many like this in the area.
Loss of Privacy and Amenity: The increased density resulting from this development will likely lead to reduced privacy for nearby residents. Moreover, the anticipated increase in noise levels and traffic will disrupt the peaceful atmosphere that current residents value.
For these reasons, I urge the council to reject this development application. Preserving the character and integrity of our community, along with maintaining the quality of our local green spaces, is vital for current and future residents.
Thank you for considering my views on this important matter. I hope the council will prioritize the interests of the community and uphold the unique qualities that make Lane Cove a desirable place to live. This proposal does not follow any guidelines or ratios for the area which is a significant issue.

Traffic Impact
A development of this scale is likely to generate a substantial increase in traffic volumes, which would place significant strain on the existing local road network. In particular, the shared access road between our driveway and the roundabout, as well as the intersection at Burns Bay Road, is not designed to accommodate such increased demand.
Insufficient Street Parking
The proposal does not adequately address the existing limitations in on-street parking, and the increased demand generated by the development would exacerbate current parking shortages in the area.
Pedestrian Safety Concerns
The development has the potential to create hazardous conditions for pedestrians, particularly school children traveling to and from school. These risks would be especially heightened during the construction phase due to increased vehicle movements and site activity.
Impact on Public Open Space
The development is likely to cause additional overshadowing to nearby public spaces, including Hughes Park and Burns Bay Reserve, reducing their usability and enjoyment for the community.
Loss of Privacy
The proposal raises concerns regarding overlooking and the resulting loss of privacy for neighbouring properties.
Operational Noise Impacts
Noise generated from building services, including air conditioning plant, lifts, and other mechanical equipment, is likely to have an ongoing adverse impact on nearby residents.
Overshadowing, dampness, Safety, Impacts loss of views
The proposed development would result in a loss of existing views and increased overshadowing to surrounding properties, negatively impacting residential amenity. The scale and positioning of the building are likely to cast extensive and potentially permanent shadows, reducing access to natural light and airflow, and potentially contributing to dampness and moisture issues in neighbouring properties.
The increased overshadowing, combined with existing limited street lighting, also raises concerns regarding pedestrian safety, particularly during early morning and evening hours. Additionally, reduced outlook, increased noise, and a diminished sense of openness would further impact the quality of life for nearby residents.
Impact on wildlife
The proposal may also have adverse impacts on local wildlife, as increased shading, noise, and disruption to the natural environment could affect habitats and movement patterns within the area.
Impact on Property Values
The cumulative effect of the above concerns—including loss of views, overshadowing, reduced natural light and airflow, increased noise, diminished privacy, and overall changes to neighbourhood character—is likely to adversely affect the desirability of neighbouring properties. This may result in a measurable devaluation of surrounding properties and consequent financial loss for existing residents

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed construction of 3 RFB's in the Lane Cove area.

While I understand the need for urban growth and increased housing supply, I have significant concerns regarding the potential negative impacts this development may have on the local community, environment, and overall livability of the area.

1. Impact on Local Character and Community
Lane Cove is known for its village atmosphere, low- to medium-density housing, and strong sense of community. The introduction of large-scale apartment developments risks fundamentally altering this character. Increased density at this scale may strain existing community cohesion and reduce the quality of life for current residents.

2. Traffic and Infrastructure Pressure
The proposed development is likely to result in a substantial increase in traffic volume. Local roads in Lane Cove are already under pressure, particularly during peak hours. Additional congestion may lead to longer commute times, increased safety risks, and greater wear on infrastructure that may not be adequately upgraded to support this growth.

3. Environmental Concerns
The Lane Cove area is valued for its greenery, tree canopy, and proximity to natural bushland. Large-scale development may result in:

Loss of mature trees and local biodiversity

Increased urban heat island effect

Greater stormwater runoff and potential impacts on local waterways

These environmental impacts could be long-lasting and, in some cases, irreversible.

4. Noise and Construction Disruption
The construction phase alone is likely to generate prolonged noise, dust, and general disruption for nearby residents. For those living in close proximity, this may significantly impact daily life, including work-from-home arrangements, schooling, and general well being.

5. Overdevelopment and Precedent
Approving this project may set a precedent for further high-density developments in the area, leading to cumulative impacts that extend well beyond this single proposal. This raises concerns about overdevelopment and whether adequate long-term planning has been undertaken

Conclusion
For the reasons outlined above, I respectfully request that this proposal be reconsidered or refused. At a minimum, I urge the council to require significant modifications to reduce its scale and better align with the existing character and capacity of Lane Cove.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Yours sincerely,
Astin Klover
Lane Cove resident

The proposed development at 300 Burns Bay Road Lane Cove is a concerning attempt to revise existing planning requirements. The amenity of the Burns Bay Reserve and Tannery Creek precinct is a fine balance between medium density housing, residential properties (in Riverview) and a relatively pristine border bushland and natural features.

The Burns Bay precinct is already utilised beyond what would be considered sensible levels, with weekend sport and weekday sporting activity (particularly during winter) compromising the quality of life in the area. The proposed bulk and scale, including floor space ratio increases and likely overshadowing, will fundamentally change the lifestyle, flora and fauna of this precinct. It is concerning that existing residents appear to have been ignored in terms of concerns, and classifying this development as state significant feeds the perception of development beyond all else.
Anybody who lives in the precinct will tell you that the availability of public transport is severely lacking, with access to the city difficult and oversubscribed at the best of times. Public Transport services will need to be increased by some frequency to service the development. A previous meeting resulted in the traffic planners advising that residents will need to consider riding motorbikes and pushbikes for a workable solution. This is a laughable and unsustainable response. If this is meant to be the option to occupants requiring motor vehicles, the proposal is already wide of the mark. In terms of motor vehicles, the ratio of occupancy to parking spaces is grossly underspecified, which will result in occupants attempting to park in surrounding streets. The issue with this is that there is no additional parking close to the precinct, with existing residents in the developed area already parking on the eastern side of Burns Bay Reserve (and competing with sporting crowds and boat ramp users). The parking facility is of significant concern and needs to be addressed to ensure 2 vehicle spaces (minimum) per residence prior to any further consideration of the development.
In terms of traffic, current access to the 300 Burns Bay Rd precinct is via a service road controlled by traffic lights, which already results in compromised access. Increasing traffic volume will exacerbate this issue with vehicle stacking likely to impact traffic on Burns Bay Rd which is already heavily impacted during peak periods, resulting in significant delays both Northbound and Southbound, along with significant delays westbound on Penrose Street on weeknights and all weekend. The infrastructure surrounding the development is not sufficient to support the density of this development.

It goes without saying overshadowing and overlooking from the proposed development will significantly impact the precinct and forever change the ecological balance of Burns Bay forever. This development is inappropriate in terms of size and scale and should only be approved if it complies with existing planning guidelines.

I am a co-owner of an apartment at Parkway at 300C Burns Bay Road. It has always been my intention to use this property as my primary residence when I retire in the next few years. I object to the proposed multi-storey residential development at 300 Burns Bay Road on planning, traffic, amenity, quality of life, and economic grounds.

⸻

Excessive Height, Scale and Density Out of Character

The proposal introduces a height, bulk, and density materially greater than comparable buildings in the immediate precinct. This is inconsistent with the established and emerging low- to mid-rise character along Burns Bay Road and would create a visually dominant form that overwhelms the streetscape. The development represents a step-change in intensity that the surrounding environment and road network were not designed to accommodate.

⸻

Traffic, Access and Safety Constraints

Access relies on a constrained local road network that already experiences congestion in peak periods. The additional vehicle movements generated by a development of this scale will exacerbate congestion, increase conflict points for pedestrians and cyclists, and place unsustainable pressure on local streets.

Concerns include:

* Peak-period congestion and delays
* Pedestrian and cyclist safety risks
* Inadequate provision for construction, servicing, and deliveries
* Increased parking pressure and local access conflict
* Inadequate public transport options

The traffic approach appears disproportionate to the proposal’s intensity and does not adequately address cumulative impacts on Burns Bay Road and adjoining streets.

⸻

Loss of Natural Light, Outlook, Privacy and Residential Amenity

The height and bulk of the proposal will cause significant overshadowing and loss of natural light to neighbouring properties, particularly Parkway at 300C Burns Bay Road which will likely lose natural light for significant periods of the year. This will materially reduce solar access, outlook, and privacy for existing residents of the entire complex and diminish day-to-day living amenity and quality of life.

These impacts are not minor or incidental; they are a direct consequence of excessive height and insufficient setbacks relative to surrounding residential buildings.

⸻

Strain on Local Infrastructure and Services

Local infrastructure — roads, parking, open space, and community facilities — is already under pressure. A development of this size requires commensurate infrastructure capacity and upgrades, which have not been convincingly demonstrated. Without such support, the proposal will intensify demand on facilities already operating with limited capacity. Burns Bay Road is frequently at stand still during morning and evening peak hours.

In addition this this public transport is impacted and it frequently takes between 30 and 40 minutes to travel from Lane Cove’s main hub to the bus stop closest to 300 Burns Bay Road, making reliance on public transport impractical and likely resulting in more excessive traffic during peak periods.

⸻

Likely Negative Impact on Surrounding Property Values

Residential desirability in this precinct is strongly linked to light access, outlook, privacy, manageable traffic conditions, and a coherent streetscape. By materially degrading these attributes through overshadowing, bulk, and congestion, the proposal risks reducing the attractiveness and market value of neighbouring properties, including my own.

This represents an unfair economic impact on existing owners who purchased under a markedly different built-form context.

⸻

Inconsistency with Context-Sensitive Planning

The proposal does not reflect incremental, context-sensitive planning. It fails to balance development objectives with the protection of existing residential character and amenity and introduces a scale of development that is out of proportion with its surroundings.

⸻

Conclusion

For these reasons, the proposal should be refused in its current form or required to undergo substantial redesign to reduce height, bulk, and density; properly address traffic and access constraints; and mitigate overshadowing and amenity impacts on neighbouring properties.