Dear Mr Keiran Thomas,
I have been a resident in Herbert Tower A, 19-23 Herbert Street over 20 years. The location of Herbert Tower A is right next to 33-37 Herbert Street, St Leonards (“the Site”). I set out below my objections based on the following grounds:
1 Neighbourhood Character and Design
- Visual bulk and scale: The 2 towers (“the Site”) are out of proportion with the neighbouring properties on Herbert Street – the taller Tower (right next to Herbert Tower A) has over 28 levels which is twice the heights of Herbert Towers A and B (13 Levels).
- Site overdevelopment: The footprint of the Site takes up too much of the block, leaving little room for open space and landscaping right next to the neighbouring property i.e. Herbert Towers at 19-23 Herbert Street.

2 Residential Amenity
- Overlooking and loss of privacy: Balconies or upper-story windows of the Site look directly into private dining living spaces of Herbert Tower A.
- Overshadowing: The new structure will cast shadows on Herbert Tower A, reducing natural light into our home or outdoor areas eg balconies and sunrooms.
- Noise and disturbance: The proposed use residential/commercial will generate excessive traffic, noise and late-night activities and will jeopardise the tranquillity of Herbert Street.

3 Traffic and infrastructure
- Traffic congestion and safety: As 33-37 Herbert Street is right next to Westbourne Street which leads up to the Birth Unit in the Royal North Shore Hospital, it is totally irresponsible to build another 400 units on a main road that leads to the Birth unit of a major hospital (map is attached for ease of reference). This development could cause dangerous traffic increases and enormous stress and delay for mothers on way to the Birth Unit. Furthermore, this could create negative impact on pedestrian safety especially for staff from RNSH, SBS, Australia Post and other commercial units nearby and this was recognised and implemented by NSW Transport for Herbert Street to be a 40K Zone area.
- Insufficient parking: The plans do not provide adequate on-site parking and this could lead to congestion for street parking.
- Drainage and infrastructure: There are major concerns that the development will overload the local stormwater, sewage or utility systems etc.
Suggestions:
(a) Open space:
A semi-private courtyard in the size of at least 20 sqm be built between the Site and Herbert Tower A in order to create more open space and reduce density in the area. I attach 2 photos of the latest design from their developer – showing a big courtyard being placed between their 2 towers. I would suggest that they swap the courtyard to be placed in between the Site and Herbert Tower A to create more space and light for the neighbouring residents in Herbert Tower A.
(b) Heights:
In order to reduce the density in the area, the heights of the 2 towers should be restricted to similar heights as the existing buildings.
(c) On-site parking:
On-site parking within the Site should be built and made available to all residents in the Site. 2 levels of underground parking should be built which is the same as Herbert Towers. In this way, the Site will not overtake the heights of the nearby buildings.
(d) Commercial Use:
This should be restricted as this could create excessive traffic, noise and late-night activities.
I also attach photos and map.
Kindest regards
Christina Chiu

I write as a resident of St Leonards to object to the development planned for 33-37 Herbert St. Herbert Street already experiences severe traffic jams during morning rush hour, and is the main means of access to the RNSH birth unit. With the additional traffic from this many new residents, plus added commercial traffic, the road will become very backed up. Apart from inconvenience to existing residents, this will pose a big problem for expectant mothers who need to access the hospital birth unit.

I object to the proposed State Significant Development application SSD-88511459 for the shop top housing development at 33 & 37 Herbert Street, St Leonards.

1. Excessive Density and Scale
The proposed development introduces an exceptionally high density of over 400 dwellings on a relatively small site. This is significantly denser than existing developments along Herbert Street and Dalleys Road and is out of scale with the surrounding built environment.

The scale of the proposed building, including a height of up to 135 metres and a Floor Space Ratio of 7.15:1, represents a substantial intensification that is inconsistent with the current character of the neighbourhood and will place considerable strain on local infrastructure.

2. Traffic Congestion and Road Capacity
The proposal includes over 400 residential dwellings, 2 levels of commercial/retail space, and 377 car parking spaces, indicating a substantial increase in traffic generation.

Herbert Street and Dalleys Road are both narrow, single-lane (two-way) streets with limited capacity for expansion and are not designed to accommodate the level of traffic that this development will generate.

Herbert Street already experiences significant congestion, particularly during peak periods, with queues extending several blocks around the Herbert Street and Dalleys Road junction. This proposal will materially worsen existing bottleneck conditions.

3. Safety Risks to Pedestrians and Children
Herbert Street is heavily used by children walking to Artarmon Public School and families accessing Naremburn Park. Increased vehicle movements associated with the development will significantly increase risk to pedestrians, particularly young children.

4. Impact on Access to Royal North Shore Hospital
Herbert Street and surrounding roads are commonly used for access to Royal North Shore Hospital, including its maternity and birth units. Increased traffic congestion may delay patients, medical staff, and urgent care access.

5. Noise and Loss of Neighbourhood Amenity
The introduction of retail/commercial premises, increased traffic volumes, and higher population density will substantially increase noise levels and reduce residential amenity.

6. Insufficient Parking and Increased Street Parking Pressure
Street parking in Herbert Street and Dalleys Road is already fully utilised. The development is likely to increase demand for street parking and reduce availability for existing residents.

7. Impact on Public Open Space
Naremburn Park is already heavily used. Increased population will place additional pressure on park facilities and reduce accessibility.

8. Community Infrastructure and Services
The development will place additional strain on local infrastructure including waste management, pest control, schools, childcare, and other community services.

I respectfully request that the Department refuse SSD-88511459 and the associated rezoning proposal.
The proposal:
• lacks sufficient strategic merit;
• is inconsistent with the objectives of the NSW Industrial Lands Action Plan;
• results in the unnecessary loss of strategically important industrial land;
• seeks excessive height, bulk and density;
• generates unacceptable overshadowing and amenity impacts;
• creates significant visual and urban design impacts;
• fails to adequately address cumulative impacts; and
• is not in the public interest.