I object to the size of this development for the following reasons:
1. Massive overdevelopment for the combined site.
2. Lack of infrastructure in surrounding streets.
3. Very limited access in and out of Darley Street.
4. Inadequate parking facilities within the development.
5. No provision for affordable housing.

Your Government has continued to halt all transport infrastructure developments on The Northern Beaches but pushing hard on massive housing infrastructure.

I would not object to this development if it was scaled back in size and there was a guarantee from your Government to proceed with the upgrade of Mona Vale Road, flood proofing of Wakehurst Parkway and building of The Northern Beaches tunnel.
Without this, the access in and out of The Northern Beaches remains a major concern.

am writing to lodge a formal objection to the proposed development at 159–167 Darley Street West, Mona Vale, which involves the construction of three buildings, each six storeys high.

My concerns are shared by many in the local community and relate to the scale of the development, its location within a small residential cul-de-sac, the complete absence of on-site parking, and the resulting impacts on safety, amenity, and daily life for existing residents.

1. Impact on a Small Residential Cul-de-Sac

Darley Street West is a quiet, small cul-de-sac that currently functions as a low-traffic residential street. It is used daily by local residents, including families, children, older residents, and people walking or cycling within the neighbourhood.

Introducing a development of this size and intensity will dramatically change the nature of the street. Increased traffic from residents, visitors, deliveries, ride-share vehicles, trades, and waste collection will overwhelm a street that was never designed for this level of activity. This will fundamentally alter the character of the area and reduce the sense of safety and liveability that residents value.

2. No On-Site Parking – Direct Impact on Residents

The proposal includes no on-site parking, which will place the full burden of parking demand onto Darley Street West and surrounding streets.

This will:

- Reduce already limited on-street parking available to existing residents and their visitors
- Increase congestion and vehicle movements as drivers search for parking
- Create frustration and conflict within the community
- Obstruct access for waste collection, deliveries, and emergency vehicles

Rather than managing impacts within the site, this proposal shifts them directly onto neighbours and public streets, which is inconsistent with the intent of the Northern Beaches Development Control Plan to protect residential amenity.

3. Safety Concerns for Pedestrians and Residents

With increased traffic and parked vehicles on a narrow cul-de-sac, there will be heightened safety risks for pedestrians. This is particularly concerning for:

- Children playing or walking in the street
- Elderly residents and those with mobility challenges
- Residents accessing their homes, driveways, and footpaths

Local streets should prioritise safety and community use. This development would do the opposite.

4. Flow-On Effects Beyond the Street

The impacts of this proposal will extend beyond Darley Street West. Additional traffic will affect surrounding local streets and contribute to congestion on Pittwater Road, which already experiences significant peak-hour delays.

Incremental developments of this nature, when approved without supporting infrastructure, place growing pressure on the broader Mona Vale community and erode overall quality of life.

5. Cumulative Impact on Community Character

This proposal cannot be considered in isolation. Allowing three six-storey buildings in a cul-de-sac with no parking sets a troubling precedent and signals a level of density that is out of step with the existing neighbourhood.

The Northern Beaches LEP and DCP seek to balance growth with the protection of neighbourhood character, infrastructure capacity, and community wellbeing. This development fails to achieve that balance.

6. Conclusion

The proposed development at 159–167 Darley Street West is not just a planning issue — it is a community issue. Its scale, lack of parking, and traffic impacts will significantly diminish safety, amenity, and liveability for current residents and place unreasonable pressure on local streets and the wider area.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that the consent authority refuse the application, or require a substantially revised proposal that genuinely respects the capacity, character, and wellbeing of the local community.

Thank you for considering this submission.

Kind regards,

Jan Bentley

Huge negative impact on traffic and the character of the suburb

Mona Vale District Association objects to the development proposal on the following grounds:
1. Scale and type of development inconsistent with surrounding low-rise housing
2. Overshadowing and overlooking of neighbouring properties
3. Street parking and traffic over-load particularly movements through the Pittwater Rd - Darley St intersection
4. Objections made by residents and property owners in Darley Street West, Mona Vale
5. Affordable housing in one building rather than spread through the 3 residential flat buildings
6. Building over a sewer main and water way
7. No mitigation of existing flood and drainage issues
8. Loss of tree canopy and non-compliances with LMR Canopy guidelines
9. Insufficient common open areas
9. No stormwater drain in Darley St according to residents
10. Developers record of prior consultation with residents is challenged by some residents

This street is a 300 meter long cul-de-sac terminating in a low lying area adjacent to a creek and sewerage plant situated across the road from the proposed development. Flooding in extreme weather events is common.
In addition, access to the street consists of a busy intersection catering for traffic traveling along Pittwater Road as well as the industrial area of Darley Street. Currently the traffic flow can be very congested and will be extremely difficult to navigate with the proposed additional traffic should this development proceed.

Proposed Development at 159-167 Darley Street West
Application Number: SSD91496958

I object to the proposed development at 159-167 Darley Street West, Mona Vale. Darley Street West is a short, narrow residential street with 1 and 2 story houses and townhouses with only 1 access point at Pittwater Road and Darley Street West. There is no alternative entry or exit to the street.

Darley Street West is a cul-de-sac with parking on both sides of the street, limiting passing due to cars parked on both sides of the street. This also makes it difficult for existing residents to exit their properties due to poor visibility because of parked cars and cars racing to make the light at Pittwater Road and Darley Street West.

In the proposed development, traffic movement is significantly underestimated at peak hour times. When you add in visitors, delivery trucks and service vehicles coupled with a high number of vehicles owned by residents and workers from Mona Vale parking on Darley Street West to the already restrictive parking in Mona Vale and surrounding streets, you have a very congested bottleneck on Darley Street West, Darley Street and Pittwater Road.

Pittwater Road and Darley Street West is a known dangerous intersection. Turning lanes are poorly designed, you already have high turning traffic, poor visibility and inconsiderate drivers speeding to make the poorly set up traffic light. Add another 164 vehicles coming and going through this intersection, you have a severe bottleneck and high accident probability.

All of these issues make it difficult for emergency vehicles and services vehicles to provide emergency services when required.

Mona Vale already has restricted access as there are is no rail service or ferry service to the area. With only 2 access roads, Mona Vale is already experiencing difficult traffic conditions and with any new developments, will add frustrations and poor vehicle movements. Road networks are already at capacity.

The proposed development at 159-167 Darley Street West does not fit in with existing residential townhouses and houses, presents unacceptable traffic conditions and unacceptable strain and stress on current lifestyle for existing residents.

The development should be rejected based on these stated concerns.

My Submission is attached below.
I strongly object to this project.

I am a resident and owner of Unit 2, 155-157 Darley St West. These are the reasons for my objection to the development application at 159-167 Darley St West Mona Vale NSW 2103

This part of Darley St only has 1 and 2 storey residences. The proposed new building of 6 floors with 82 apartments is completely out of character, but even more concerning, with parking for 164 cars, will add to the congestion of an already congested part of Darley St. The street already has a great deal of on-street parking of cars, trucks, trailers and boats, making it dangerous for cars to pass each other without extra care. The Pittwater Rd intersection is already a hazard and will become more so with the extra accommodation.

A 6-storey building will lead to a loss of privacy for the downhill, western side of our complex. There will also be a loss of sunlight with a detriment to the wellbeing of both people and building.

Public transport is already very challenged. The B1 is a great service for the people who can walk to a stop but is a huge problem for people who need the car to get to a stop. The park and ride parking spots are filled very quickly. The 2 main roads into Mona Vale are already very busy and will become even more so with the extra buildings proposed.

The site at 159 to167 Darley St would be built over an underground waterway. We have the same situation here at 155-157. Adequate drainage with pumps can only cope with so much and last weekend's stormy weather proved the point with considerable flooding in our garages. The problem would only be aggravated further down the hill.

Regards
Helen O’Meara