My husband and I and our family have lived at 21 Stanhope Road for 27 1/2 years and we strenuously oppose the TOD SSD for 10,14 and 14a Stanhope Road Killara and we believe the SSD does not address a number of the requirements contained in the SEARS documents.

Objection attached

The proposed maximum height of 35 m is excessive and would adversely impact all adjacent 39 apartments at 10 Marian Street, along the northern boundary. Stepping down the maximum height towards Stanhope Road may minimise the visual impact of the massive development when viewed from street level, but this completely ignores the impact on existing residents of 10 Marian Street. The developer is attempting to use the Affordable Housing provisions to grossly over-develop the site, presumably for maximum profitability, and in the process totally disregards the character of the Killara neighbourhood. At the very least the Variation Request must be denied.

The increased traffic during and after construction poses serious issues. The Proposal includes an estimate of around 20,000 tonnes of demolition and excavation material to be trucked off the site. This would have to use Culworth Avenue, which is not up to standard or safe. Meanwhile, Stanhope Road already carries heavy morning and afternoon traffic. Access to and from the Pacific Highway at Stanhope Road is already at critical level and is unsafe. The additional burden of a significant number of homes will place extra demand for parking on Stanhope Road itself and will inevitably result in council imposing future parking restrictions, and this is a retrograde and unnecessary consequence for the local community.

The proposed development will result in a serious increase in stormwater runoff, particularly in the event of a major storm event. This has the real potential to cause flooding of neighbouring properties, particularly 10 Marian Street, which Council plans indicate is in a potential flood zone. The stormwater Trunk Main passing through 10 Marian Street is already compromised, given its pipe size reduces as it flows towards Culworth Avenue. There is a real risk of blockages and consequential flow would rise out of the manholes causing an above ground flow and flood, with certain flooding of the basement in Marian Street.

There is also the potential loss of existing Leylandii tree hedging. The existing significant Leylandii trees along the northern boundary of the proposed development provide residents of 10 Marian Street with an effective visual screening of the Stanhope Road properties. It unfortunately would cause significant shading to the lower level Block C residents under the current architectural proposal, and so we are concerned about its protection and longevity. Whatever the final outcome of the Development Application, it is essential that all assurances given by the developer regarding retention of these trees are rigidly enforced. The reality is that such developers provide comforting assurances but then totally disregard them during construction and thereafter at minimal financial penalty. Serious penalties must be included in any consent approvals for any breach of the landscape plans.

We have lived in Killara for 8.5 years and have been concerned for some time about how busy Stanhope road is. There is a constant flow of traffic as local residents and tradesmen use it as the main access between Killara and the Pacific Highway. There are also cars regularly parked on Stanhope between the railway line and Pacific Highway which adds to the congestion. The proposal for 135 apartments will increase the traffic to the Pacific Highway and will have a major impact on noise, traffic flow, safety of pedestrians and congestion at peak hours and with only 195 parking spaces, inevitably more cars will park on the road. We are also concerned that Stanhope is one of Killara's most important heritage areas and this development takes little or no consideration of heritage issues with heritage homes at 1A, 2,3,4,5,6,7,12 and 18 surrounding the proposed site.

I object the building of the apartments as it will create bottlenecks necks on such a tight road as Stanhope road. It will create a build up on a road where there are only houses, ruining the look and feel of the Stanhope road community.

The key issues of the project are:
- Inconsistent with Ku-ring-gai council's Preferred Scenario: The proposal is inconsistent with Council's Preferred Scenario, supporting new housing without sacrificing our heritage and natural environment, determined following consultation with the community.
- Isolation of Heritage Homes: Positioned adjacent to heritage homes, the development will destroy the heritage value and culture of our neighborhood
-Devastating tree canopy and wildlife impact
-Traffic and Infrastructure overload
-No community benefits

The key issues of the project are:
- Inconsistent with Ku-ring-gai council's Preferred Scenario: The proposal is inconsistent with Council's Preferred Scenario, supporting new housing without sacrificing our heritage and natural environment, determined following consultation with the community.
- Isolation of Heritage Homes: Positioned adjacent to heritage homes, the development will destroy the heritage value and culture of our neighborhood
-Devastating tree canopy and wildlife impact
-Traffic and Infrastructure overload
-No community benefits

01 June 2025
Attention: Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Online Submission Portal: [Insert Link to Online Submission Portal - if available]

Subject: Objection to State Significant Development Application SSD-81890707 – 10, 14 & 14A Stanhope Road, Killara
Dear Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure,
I am writing to formally object to State Significant Development Application SSD-81890707 for residential flat buildings at 10, 14, and 14A Stanhope Road, Killara. This proposal seeks to transform three residential lots into a high-density residential complex comprising 135 apartments. I am deeply concerned about the significant and irreversible impact this development would have on the local community, heritage conservation, and environment.
As a frequent visitor to Stanhope Road, Killara, I've been consistently drawn to the area. I absolutely love the grand Federation-era houses and the overall character of the conservation streetscape. It's a truly unique and beautiful part of Sydney. I am appalled by the sheer scale and height of this proposed development, which is completely out of character with the area.

Key Grounds for My Objection:
• Excessive Size, Scale, and Bulk: The proposed development's bulk and scale are entirely unreasonable. The significant increase in height would overshadow neighbouring properties and dramatically disrupt the local landscape.
• Unjustified Height: The proposed 10-storey building is far larger than the highest building currently in Killara (which is only 5 storeys). The visual impact would be unacceptable. With 6 storeys visible from Stanhope Road (4 directly, 2 set back on Building A) and 10 storeys at the rear, the development would be a jarring presence, especially given its location within a Heritage Conservation Area.
• Severe Heritage Impacts: This development would irrevocably change the character and landscape of Stanhope Road and Killara. The proposed high-rise buildings are entirely inconsistent with the low-density character of the surrounding neighbourhood, which is primarily composed of single and two-story homes within a Heritage Conservation Area. The future character of this locality must consider the context of the 9 heritage listed houses in the immediate vicinity.
• Unacceptable Traffic and Parking: Parking along Stanhope Road is already at capacity. The increased traffic congestion associated with the 195 cars from the proposed development when exiting and entering Stanhope Road from the Pacific Highway, and along Culworth Avenue, will create an unacceptable safety hazard.

Conclusion:
While I understand that development is essential to address housing needs, it absolutely must be done with sensitivity and respect for the existing community. Any development should aim to preserve the unique character of Killara's Heritage Conservation Areas and respect these values while addressing the housing crisis.
I submit that the State Significant Development Application SSD-81890707 should not be approved in its current form.
Thank you for considering my submission.
Yours sincerely

Bonnie

I strongly object to SSD-81890707 - Residential flat buildings with infill affordable housing -10, 14 and 14a Stanhope Road, Killara. This development is inappropriate for Killara, not in the public interest, it contradicts Ku-ring-gai Council’s Preferred Alternative Scenario for Killara, and prioritizes corporate profit over community well-being.
I urge the NSW Government to reject Stanhope Road Residence Holdings Pty Limited’s proposal and adopt Ku-ring-gai Council’s approach, which, unlike the NSW Planning TOD or, the Stanhope Road SSD, was developed through extensive community consultation.