I am a long-term resident of Willoughby/Castlecrag (26 years). I strongly object to the proposed development at 100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag. My concerns relate to the scale of the proposal, transport capacity and access constraints, limited public transport, the proposal’s contribution to housing need, and inconsistency with the area’s recognised planning and heritage character.

The following grounds set out the basis of my objection and the matters I request the Department consider and require to be addressed as part of any assessment.

1. The scale of the development is completely out of line with anything in Castlecrag or its surrounding suburbs (550% taller than any other building in Castlecrag). Twin 13 storey towers are so out of scale with Castlecrag’s established character that I initially assumed it could not be a serious proposal. I have been shocked to learn that not only was the submission real, but that the Planning Minister and Department are considering it.

2. The roads surrounding the site are woefully inadequate to support a development of this scale. The intersection at Castlecrag is the primary access point for residents living on the peninsula and already experiences heavy congestion and queuing. It took years to get Transport for NSW to approve a right turn arrow at the intersection (which was much needed after many serious accidents) because of the traffic queue it would cause both on Edinburgh Road and on Eastern Valley Way. Any additional traffic will worsen delays, reduce intersection safety, and increase emergency services access risk. I request an independent traffic and transport assessment by Transport for NSW addressing (at minimum) peak-hour intersection performance, queue lengths and spillback on Edinburgh Road and Eastern Valley Way, construction traffic impacts, and mitigations (with costings) that are feasible within the existing road network. This assessment should allow public input in the same way the last one did.

3. Public transport serving the site is limited (no rail/metro/light-rail/ferry/cycleways and bus services are infrequent outside peak periods). I request a thorough independent assessment by Transport for NSW of public transport congestion impacts, requirements for extra services, and the impacts of increased road traffic on public transport trip times. The assessment should not assume mode shift without evidence. The transport assessment should include realistic trip-generation assumptions, public transport service capacity/frequency analysis, and measures to reduce car dependency (including parking supply/management and safe walking/cycling connections).

4. The proposal’s stated public benefit should be clearly demonstrated, including how it contributes to housing need in a meaningful way. If the development is predominantly (>93%) ultra-high-end apartments, its contribution to affordability and housing diversity will be minimal. Any proposed public benefit should be weighed against the public cost of mitigations required to address traffic and public transport issues. I request that the applicant provide clear evidence of how the proposal delivers a net community benefit consistent with the objectives of the planning system and that the Minister and the Department clearly set out the reasons and strategic justification for how this proposal fits with the intended purpose of the SSD process.

5. Castlecrag is widely recognised for its architectural and planning significance, including the Griffin legacy and the suburb’s “planning with nature” character. I request a robust and independent assessment of heritage and character impacts (including view corridors, landscape setting, tree canopy/vegetation impacts where relevant, and streetscape context).

For these reasons I request that the Department refuse this proposal; and, before any determination, undertakes and publishes independent studies of the public benefit vs cost, traffic/transport impacts and heritage/character impacts of this proposal.

I OBJECT to this Project
I am a long time resident in Castlecrag - it is a Unique area.
The plan that was passed in 2024 after 5 years of reviews was the best outcome for this development.
I OBJECT to the height if this is passed then it starts a precedent in the area around it.
Many trees will be lost and it will be an eyesore to the area.
Many homes will loose sun on the southern side of this development.
There is only one road in and out of Castlecrag and the height and number of units will over power the area and create more congestion. The traffic in peak hour is congested now and with the units being built now in Eastern Valley Way and Warners Avenue more added traffic.
There is only a bus service to the city that runs on small feeder roads .
It is NOT on the train line or metro line
If it is passed more high rise will follow.
Why have a large Coles when there is a large Woolworths 800meters away to the South and 1 kilometre to the North a smaller Woolworths plus Harry Farm 500 meters- so many supermarkets.
My main objection is the height and the number of units loss of trees and congestion of traffic.
The NSW government housing plan was for high rise on train lines and metro lines this area does NOT have trains or metro.
Please REJECT this plan and advise the developer to build the existing plan that was passed.
Regards
Janette St Clair
.

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on the proposed development by Conquest at the site known as 100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag (corner of Eastern Valley Way).

Firstly, may I say I am not anti development. Having undertaken significant renovations of homes myself and enjoyed facilities brought to cities and suburbs by new facilities.

However, in the case of 100 Edinburgh Road, what I am objecting to is the location of such a large development using the State Significant Development planning when a perfectly acceptable Development Application had been approved by Willoughby Council and accepted by a large majority of the residents.

My objections to the SSD at 100 Edinburgh Road are:

- Scale, bulk and height is out of proportion to existing and new developments in the surrounding area. Particularly with the location on the top of the hill.

- Overshadowing of the surrounding area. Including the heritage area to the south-east - particularly the homes in The Postern.

- Public Transport. As a daily bus commuter to and from a city office I am aware that the transport provided cannot be considered a major corridor. Busses are the only option and are often full by the time they reach Cammeray. Trains and Metro are not within walking distance and require a bus or car to access.

- Affordable housing. Yes, we do need affordable housing. My understanding is the housing is for essential workers eg hospital, fire, police etc. The nearest large public hospital is some distance away at St Leonards, meaning car use, not public transport as it does not run early enough in the morning or late enough at night to accommodate shift work. It is the same for fire and police. Really there is no public infrastructure nearby and accessible by public transport to require affordable housing unless this extends to teachers, nursing home employees and retail workers.

- Traffic flow. Cars turning in and out of such a proposed large development will cause cars to bank up behind - particularly travelling east along Edinburgh Road. Cars leaving a larger development will have issues accessing Edinburgh Road, particularly at peak hour.

I found it interesting that even the heritage architect employed by the developer, Conquest, could not clearly state that she thought this development was within character of the suburb. I felt she was there to try and keep some sort of semblance of reasonability within the developer’s office; she seemed to be failing and I think she knew it. I applaud her for here efforts.

A little bit about me as a Castlecrag resident. My parents built in Castlecrag in the 1950’s, my father a returned RAAF serviceman and prisoner of war (who grew up in Paddington) and my mother a nurse from New Zealand. Having lived in various Sydney suburbs (including a 35 story apartment building in Darlinghurst), interstate and overseas I am now the custodian of the home I grew up in. My parents contributed greatly to shaping Castlecrag and I would hate to see the entry way to this unique suburb ruined by a development that is totally inappropriate to the land on which it is proposed to be built.

Thank you for allowing the project submission process to take place.

Grounds for objection:
1. Incompatibility with surrounding built form: The scale of this development, at 11 residential stories, is fundamentally unnecessary given the many in-development and soon to be completed multi-storey residential developments along Eastern Valley Way within 500 meters of the site. All of those other developments are sympathetic to the local built form at 4-6 storeys high. There is no precedence or need for development of this scale.
2. No Transit Oriented Development: The site is not located near a transport hub but instead at a busy cross roads controlled by traffic lights which already results in long traffic lines and bus queues. Concentrating a further 200+ cars at any one time in the immediate vicinity is impractical. Similarly the influx of commuters on a single bus stop servicing routes to the city during peak periods will cause congestion on the footpaths and increase the risk of harm to pedestrians.
3. Environmental impact: At 11 storeys, the proposed development will significantly over-shadow properties to the south well beyond the previously approved scheme. What compensation in perpetuity is being offer to those that have invested in solar to lower their power bills ad reduce demand on the electricity grid?
4. Environmental impact: With further loss of tree canopy beyond the previously approved scheme there will be less shade available to reduce the effects of hot summer days, and with the development exceeding tree canopy levels all north-facing windows from storeys 7-11 will act as greenhouses throughout the entire day, greatly increasing the need for unnecessary air-conditioning.
5. Environmental impact: Further tree canopy loss beyond the previously approved scheme will also increase surface run off during rain events, exacerbating flooding at lower lying areas, especially Sugarloaf and Sailors Bay Creek. It is not acceptable to say the site (at the top of a hill!) is not subject to flooding when considering tree canopy removal.

A previous development approval at a lower height has already been granted and was supported by the community. This new proposal comes from an overseas private equity consortium with no connection to Australia or to our community.

The scale of the project would dominate every other building in the area. It would permanently erode the historic character of Castlecrag and diminish its heritage. With its strong association with Walter Burley Griffin, Castlecrag draws visitors from across Australia and around the world.

The surrounding roads are not equipped to handle the increase in traffic generated by this number of units or by a large shopping centre. The projected traffic would place severe strain on local businesses, residents and visitors, with flow on impacts for neighbouring suburbs.

The development assumes access to a train or metro connection, yet neither is feasible. The geography of the area limits infrastructure options, and there is no State Government commitment to improve the already constrained public transport network.

There local schools are already at capacity. NSW Education are referring parents other catchment areas. No new schools are being proposed.

The so called affordable housing component undermines the intent of the NSW Government initiative. It appears to be a mechanism to secure approval for a large scale development without delivering the intended public benefit. The remaining units, priced between $3.7 million and $10 million, reinforce this concern. The overseas developer shows no genuine commitment to affordable housing in NSW.

If approved, this development would be an irreversible error and a lasting stain on NSW Planning. It would stand as a reminder of the individuals who made the decision to disregarded local heritage and community values.

I am a local resident living near the proposed development at 100 Edinburgh Road, and I strongly object to this project.
First, traffic is already a serious issue in this area. The main road is consistently congested, particularly during peak hours. Castlecrag effectively has a single main access point, and any additional load from a large-scale development will significantly worsen congestion. This will not only increase travel times but also reduce safety for residents.
Public transport is also inadequate. Buses are limited and already overcrowded — particularly in the morning, where it is common for buses to be full around 8:00 AM. Increasing the population density without improving transport infrastructure will make commuting to work even more difficult for residents.
Secondly, the scale and height of the proposed building are completely inappropriate for Castlecrag. This suburb is known for its quiet, low-density, and community-focused environment. A large, high-rise structure does not blend with the existing character and will negatively impact the visual harmony of the area. It will feel out of place and diminish the unique identity of Castlecrag.
Residents here have chosen to live in a peaceful, safe, and low-rise environment. Introducing a development of this scale contradicts the established planning intent and the expectations of the community. If higher-density or affordable housing is required, it should be directed to areas that are already designed and equipped to support such developments.
Additionally, this proposal has been ongoing for many years, creating prolonged uncertainty and stress for residents. It is frustrating to see a project of this nature continue despite strong community concern.
If development must occur, it should be limited to a scale that is consistent with the surrounding environment — for example, low-rise buildings (around 2–3 storeys) that integrate respectfully with the existing streetscape.
In its current form, this proposal is unsuitable for Castlecrag and will have long-term negative impacts on traffic, infrastructure, and community wellbeing.
I strongly urge that this development be reconsidered or significantly reduced in scale to align with the character and capacity of the area

I have just done a Heritage Tour of Walter Burley Griffin homes in Castlecrag and was made aware of the proposed development for 100 Edinburgh Road. It is an increased height from a previously approved DA and I object to that. The Castlecrag suburb is unique in a heritage and design sense. It is something to be treasured and for a tall monstrosity of a building to be allowed at its gateway would make Walter Burley Griffin turn in his grave! A small scale village style development, as previously planned, would be more suitable. I am currently undergoing a similar situation where I live in Hornsby. Developers get greedy wanting to extend an already approved DA. This precedent should not be allowed to be set. I object strongly and hope you do not allow for the development to proceed.

With the size of buildings disproportionate to the small road it’s a human calamity waiting to happen should there be a bushfire or an earthquake the entry n exit is one lane. There is a majority senior residents here. The idea of affordable does not even apply to this project as it has 150 flats and Only 10 are affordable!! Also there is No train connection anywhere unless you get to North Sydney. Total hoax in the name of Affordable!!

I object to the development at 100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag because:
1. It is far too high for the area - ie. both the suburb and the surrounding suburbs. There is not other development this high on Eastern Valley Way or in the surrounds.
2. Traffic will worsen in the area. There is only one main road in and out and I worry about emergency vehicles and increased traffic especially around peak hours.
3. This area bears great significance in Australia's history and feel this is being ignored.
4 There is not enough public transport servicing the area. Buses are already full at peak hour and many buses (eg. 270) do not stop at Castlecrag. There is not enough public parking near the intersection.
5 Shadowsing is unreasonable and selfish for those affected

Firstly I would say as a resident of Castlecrag , I am completely in favour of appropriate development of this site. However i have serious objections to the way this development has been "upsized" and in no way no represents the original planning and DA.
Particularly I object because :
- The approved lower scale development already exists (3-5 storeys) . 12-14 stories is completely unsupported within the local community . It will overwhelm the surrouding areas and harm local character.
- 12-14 stories significantly conflicts with planning controls to "around 3 stories"
- The design and scale is clearly at odds established panning and design policies and does not align in any way with Council's planning fraemwork or heritage preservation priorities.
- Limited public transport access will significant strain on bus services and the site is not near train/metro . (It is not a transport-oriented development . (TOD)
- The obvious increase in traffic and consequential congestion will restrict and complicate access for residents
- The same obvious traffic and congestion will restrict access for emergency services.
- This high rise development will cause irreversible damage to the heritage and character of the area.