Hi there, I write in support of the proposed Darby Street development. Newcastle is a growing city with a need for more housing of all types, to cater for those who live in the city and those who wish to move here. I believe the proposed development provides Newcastle an opportunity to think bigger, and activate the city’s spaces in ways that haven’t previously been able.

I believe the benefits that this proposal would have for local business, public transport patronage, housing availability, and the way in which Newcastle is able to think about itself far outweigh any concerns about the height of the building or purported impacts on the community made by a noisy minority.

The access that the site has to green space, beaches, public transport, and retail and hospitality, along with the opportunities which it would afford its residents makes it a must for the city. It should be regarded as the opportunity it is for a growing city.

There is a strong and long held view from a small group of Novocastrians that the city should remain as it was when BHP ruled the roost. This is an outdated and NIMBY perspective that does not consider the world as it is, or the potential that Newcastle has as NSW’s second biggest city. I believe this development represents that potential and should be allowed to move forward, so that Newcastle can realise that potential.

Agree

As a resident of Cooks Hill I have significant concerns about the proposed development. I am mindful in writing this submission that we have a housing crisis and the NSW government and our council need to work to provide affordable housing options. My concerns are as follows:

- The proposed development does not provide affordable housing for our young people and those who contribute to our community such as first responders, teachers or aged care service providers as it is targeted to the ‘luxury’ market. We need developments to focus on affordable housing for those who contribute to our community not those who can afford luxury properties (these properties are championed by developers as they provide higher margins).

- The proposed submission ignores local development rules, for example the proposed development is three times the legal height limit. Legal limits have been established for good reason.

- Inner city Newcastle and particularly Cooks Hill already face significant parking issues, this development has insufficient parking and will further increase congestion for residents and local small businesses.

- The plans do not adequately consider the heritage footprint of Newcastle / Cooks Hill.

I support well consider development of affordable housing. The proposed submission should not be approved.

I believe this building height is not in keeping with the culturally and historically significant area it is proposed to be built in. We have a beautifully designed art gallery soon to be opened across the road which will be overshadowed by a building of this height.

We don't need another huge apartment tower in Newcastle that will affect the already dismal parking and logistics of the city. We need more affordable housing but not in the heart of the city. It can't handle it.

I think the building that currently exists there is an eyesore and a new building IS appropriate, however i am concerned about the height of the proposal....keeping it in line with the surrounds is appropriate, not to swamp the art gallery, Civic Park and other important buildings. It should not set a president in our beautiful city.

This building height is not sensitive to the street scape.
It is 3 x the legal limit.
Neighbouring a cultural precinct and a heritage conservation area.
Overshadowing, over dominating.
Ignoring local sentiment and local planning controls.

This proposal places profit over people. The development is not suitable for our city whose historical ambience will be destroyed by such a development. The beautiful historic building and nearby parklands will be compromised.
I understand that some of the adjacent area is culturally significant to my Awabakal peoples.

I strongly oppose the proposed development due to concerns about its impact on the community and surrounding environment.
This development raises significant concerns regarding traffic, infrastructure strain, and neighborhood character.

I’m writing to comment on the proposed development at 47 Darby Street.

I support new housing and sensible growth in Newcastle. But I don’t support the scale of what’s being proposed. A 12-storey building in this location is too tall and out of step with the area. A more reasonable height would be around five storeys.

The current height limit for the site is much lower than what’s being sought. Allowing a building three times taller than the existing controls would undermine the planning rules that are meant to guide development across the city. It would also set a precedent for similar proposals in places that were never intended for high-rise buildings.

This part of Newcastle is defined by Civic Park, heritage buildings and cultural institutions. A tower of this height would dominate the precinct and change its character in a way that can’t be undone. Mid-rise buildings would allow growth without overwhelming the area.

There are also concerns about bulk, overshadowing and the impact on public spaces. A lower-rise design would sit more comfortably within the streetscape and better protect the amenity of the precinct.

Newcastle does need more housing, but height and density should be directed to the right places. A five-storey limit at this site would strike a fair balance between growth and protecting what makes this part of the city special.

For these reasons, I urge the decision-makers to reject the 12-storey proposal and require a significantly lower height.

Thank you for considering my submission.