As a long time resident of Castlecrag I am dismayed by the size of the project, and appalled that local council processes can be bypassed by developers.
I can't see how either public transport or existing roads will cope with a few hundred more residents and their vehicles perched on Edinburgh Rd at the intersection of Eastern Valley Way.
The bus service in Castlecrag is infrequent and sparse. It is our only public transport option. Residents have already been forced back into cars for journeys once taken by bus.
Eight or more volunteer bush care groups restore and protect remaining bushland in Castlecrag, with support from Willoughby Council. And yet it's proposed many and old trees be felled for this unnecessarily large project.
My hope is that the size of the project be reconsidered and reduced so the landscape envisioned by Walter Burley can be enjoyed by existing and new residents.

This development is entirely out of step with the area of Castlecrag, and should not be approved in its current form. I am supportive of additional housing, but the size and scale of this development is beyond what is appropriate. A development of some 11 storeys is completely out of step with the size and scale of other recent developments opposite this site on Eastern Valley Way, and within Castlecrag itself - all of which are of a size and scale that is appropriate, and provide additional housing but without placing unnecessary strain on surrounding residents and infrastructure. This development would be appropriate if it was 3-5 storeys - not 11. There is only 1 road in and out of Castlecrag. The traffic is already backed-up several hundred metres up Edinburgh Rd during morning peak already. This development would cause further traffic congestion and make the intersection at Edinburgh Rd unworkable. Furthermore, given surrounding bushland, if there was a bushfire impacting on Castlecrag the additional traffic at this intersection could be a safety issue with people trying to get out via Edinburgh Rd.
There is very little by way of public transport at Castlecrag - 1 infrequent bus service down Edinburgh Rd (Route 203), and limited bus services along Eastern Valley Way. This development would place unreasonable strain on already overstretched bus services.
Castlecrag, unlike other adjacent suburbs such as Northbridge, does not have the capacity to absorb a development of this scale and all of the associated additional residents and pressure on transport and traffic infrastructure.
By all means, approve this development at 3-5 storeys - but trying to wedge 2 x 11 storey towers on this site is simply an abuse of this process and driven by developer greed - not the desire to provide necessary housing. Please reject this development in its current form.

I believe this project will have a detrimental effect on the community within Castlecrag. The proposed number of apartments will bring extensive numbers of people to the close-knit but quiet Castlecrag, affecting traffic, overcrowding small businesses and public transport. As a resident of Raeburn Avenue, it is already near impossible to exit at the top of the street in peak hour due to traffic. Additional residents will increase this. Whilst more traffic may help local businesses, the charm of the French patisserie and Walter’s will be lost with a drastic and significant number of new residents. Castlecrag already lacks a consistent and diverse public transport system, with many buses full by the time they arrive at the top of the street. A higher number of residents trying to travel to the city will not just affect us here in Castlecrag, but in Northbridge, as more often than not, the bus has to pass stops due to being full. I believe this is better suited to an area like Chatswood, a suburb with a fantastic public transport system and diverse shops that can accommodate many more patrons.

I am not against new development at the top of Castlecrag, however the size and scale is not reflective of the community and the area, and will cause significant harm to the day to day life of those already living there.

We need more housing close to the city. Castlecrag has built 33 homes since 1991, which is terrible. We have been pushing our housing growth to our urban fringes too much, which is very expensive for government to provide. Housing near the city is also in very high demand, so these apartments will help meet that demand. It will also provide more housing diversity for the area, providing options for downsizers and first home buyers who want to stay within the area without paying several million for a detached home. The benefits of this far outweigh the consequences to the 'heritage' of the area.

The proposed updated Plan for a much higher build is not in line with the Castlecrag heritage area.
The so called affordable units will still be over the value deemed actually affordable to the people that need them. They actually need to be able to afford the rent for it to be an affordable residence. These units will only be affordable to those with plenty already. This is not an appropriate use of the site.

Attached is my submission as well as my husband's submission because he did not receive verification of his account and so was unable to lodge his submission.

I strongly object to the proposed development at 100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag. Castlecrag is a unique, village based community of recognised heritage significance, located on a small peninsula with severely restricted road access. Planning controls in this area exist to protect its fragile character and limited infrastructure, yet this proposal represents an excessive and poorly sited development at a known traffic choke point on Edinburgh Road, the primary access route for the entire suburb.
The scale and intensity of the proposal will generate a substantial increase in traffic at the most constrained section of the road network, resulting in unmanageable congestion. This will inevitably encourage rat running through residential streets, increase unsafe driving behaviour, and significantly heighten risks to pedestrians in a community valued for its walkability and shared public spaces.
Additionally, the development does little to meaningfully address the shortage of affordable housing, alleviating this need only in the most minuscule way. In contrast, it effectively gifts substantial air space, bulk and communal open space benefits to wealthy developers and a small number of individuals. These gains come at the direct expense of the broader community, through the loss of shared canopy, sunlight, openness and amenity that should rightfully benefit Castlecrag residents.
The proposal fails to respect the heritage, safety, equity and community values of Castlecrag and should not be approved.
I respectfully ask instead that development approval be restricted to the previously approved plans for this site, which appropriately considered the scale and bulk of the development in accordance with the local natural and built environment, heritage context, and community well being.

I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed mixed-use development at 100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag.

Sydney is facing a serious housing shortage, and projects like this are exactly the kind of development we need more of. The proposal would provide 150 new apartments, including 10 affordable housing units, in a location that can support greater density and mixed-use activity.

I support the inclusion of retail space at ground level, which will help create a more active and useful local centre, as well as the provision of communal open space for residents. Increasing housing supply in well-located areas is essential if Sydney is to become more affordable, sustainable and inclusive.

While no development is perfect, the broader public benefit of providing more homes, including affordable homes, should be given significant weight. I urge this proposal to proceed and help deliver much-needed housing for the community.