The height of this proposal is not in keeping with the surrounding area, with the Newcastle Art Gallery recently renovated at only 3 storeys this building proposal would tower over it and all surrounding buildings around the Civic Park precinct.
Being luxury apartment style accomodation this will not assist the housing crisis we are all currently facing where average family accommodation is out of reach for many.
This development proposal is not in keeping with the general vibe of Darby St which has a rich Novocastrian cultural feel to it. Any developments in this area need to be carefully considered in this context.

Firstly, I am not opposed to development on 47 Darby Street Newcastle. That site can suit new housing. My issue is with the scale of the development in relation to the immediate surrounds — especially the cultural precinct of the Art Gallery, library, Civic Park and town hall — but also the Darby Street precinct in general. A smaller development of four-five storeys in front and perhaps 6-7 storeys behind would seem appropriate, that is, keeping to the height limits in the area (14m).

As a general comment, there are plenty of opportunities to develop higher-density housing in Newcastle West, as is currently underway.

I object to the development proposal on the following grounds -
• The current legal height limit at this location is 14 metres. The developer proposes to increase this to 45m through a ‘spot rezone’. This will have a detrimental affect on residences nearby, as sunlight for the residents will be severely reduced. The lifestyle of the nearby residents will be negatively impacted, and their property values will reduce.
• The proposed development will dominate the two-storey Newcastle Art Gallery, Civic Park gardens, and nearby historic landmarks and buildings. This will considerably reduce the current attractiveness of the Cooks Hill area and have a negative impact on the surrounding public spaces.
• There will be minimum benefits gained for public housing in relation to the adverse impact on the surroundings.
• The proposed development will bring increased traffic activity to the area.

I object to the project in its current format.
Both buildings are too high. They should be no higher than the current buildings.
The building on the corner of Darby and Tyrrell Sts will dominate the beautiful new Art Gallery.
Both buildings as proposed will result in unacceptable shadowing of several dwellings in Regency Park.
High apartment buildings should be reserved for the Hunter St and Honeysuckle Drive corridor.
I am concerned that a number of matters raised in the various consultants’ report still need to be resolved.
Which entity will sign off on the final design details and ensure that the construction meets the approved design?

I say NO to the proposed development at 47 Darby Street, Cooks Hill. This proposed development far exceeds current height restrictions and is totally out of character for the Darby Street area. It would dominate the newly opened Newcastle Art Gallery and surrounding landscape.
I question how it is possible that such a development, far exceeding current height limitations, could even be considered or proposed.
I am a resident of Darby Street and enjoy it's village atmosphere. Whilst not
opposed to development, I am Opposed to the proposed development at 47 Darby Street.

Darby Street is not an appropriate location for a high rise development. This community minded, historic neighbourhood will not benefit from such a project. In fact, it will detract from the aesthetic of the area, and cause further congestion (and danger) in an area where pedestrian activity is high, and where parking is already limited.

This proposal would be better suited to Newcastle West, where high rise projects are already well underway.

It is a gross overdevelopment of the site. The proposed building will completely dominate the surroundings and destroy the appearance of Cooks Hill. The new art gallery and civic park across the road will be dominated by this building which is poor urban design and will significantly destroy the ambiance of this area.
It doesn’t comply to any building requirements for this area and will open the floodgates for further similar inappropriate developments, which will result in the destruction of the village feel of Cooks Hill.
There are plenty of other areas where luxury appartments can be and are being built, so there are plenty of opportunities for this development to b located in a more appropriate location.
My family and I strongly oppose this inappropriate development.

As a local resident I support this proposal. I believe we need more high density housing in the inner city to help increase housing supply. Increased inner city housing will also support local busines, which are struggling. The size and scale of this project is in keeping with nearby buildings (for example the ATO on the corner of Darby Street and King Street, approx 100m from the proposed site.

Thank you for increasing housing supply for the people of Newcastle.

The proposed mixed use development for Darby Street, Cooks Hill is of extreme detriment to the area, to wild life, to way-of life to current tenants of Cooks Hill and to the environment. The Newcastle Environment Plan 2012 was established to ensure that the city of Newcastle maintains an urbanization eco-balance. The proposal seeks to amend this eco-balance which will result in the loss of bird life, trees, create traffic congestion and place significant stress on the whole eco-system. This proposal also seeks to exclude clause 7.4 building separation. This clause dictates that a building must be 24 metres away from any other building if said building is 45 metres or higher above ground level. This proposal wants the height of the building to be a maximum of 45m. Therefore why does this proposal need the clause 7.4 building separation to be excluded because it surely is a mute point. Unless - as it appears, the developer Vivacity is planning to breach this height of 45m and wants a clear way forward to build close to existing buildings, or to accommodate the second building on Tyrrell St. For which there appears not be enough space to build the second building. I smell something fishy here. Having this clause removed also brings in the future actions against council, sighting that a precedence has been set with the Vivacity project. What would be next? - demolish the park opposite and build 80 story high apartments? We have to think about what is approved moving forward because of its impact upon the future.
The proposed height of the building to 12 floors need not be this high. I am not opposed with the concept of a new building - however the proposal would be acceptable to 7 floors high on the Darby Street and limit to 5 stories high on Tyrrell Street.
Additionally - This state significant development will not result in "affordable" housing because of its location. Unless the developer has entered an agreement that no lot owner pays more than $600,000 for their unit. Unlikely that these unit will be sold for anything under $800-$900,000. For many this is not affordable housing (first home buyers). The likely target audience (as we have been told by Real Estate Agents) is downsizers from outer suburbs of Newcastle, who in turn will not likely contribute much to the retail community of Cooks Hill. So this development will kill off Darby street vibes, and restaurants. Old retirees watch their pennies not spend them. We need a mixture of new residents - of all ages.
This Mixed Use development needs to be affordable (limited by sale price to what is affordable), and be built to a target audience that will support the retail. However - this could translate into a cheaply built building with little-to-no street appeal.
Alternatively - build a luxury building - put the $1million price tag on it - bring wealth to the area and don't over crowd Cooks Hill.
There is also a great many wild life in the area. Building of any kind will disrupt and potentially displace the wild life. Bigger projects- biggest impact. Keep building to lower heights - less impact. The traffic impact will be significant regardless, which is a shame. What does matter is how long it will be before an accident occurs on that corner - as trucks and cranes blind drivers view.
This project should not be approved or viewed as a State Significant Development - its a money grab by Vivacity.

To whom not may concern, this email is a plea for a revision to be made the development bound for 47 Darby Street.

My excitement for the brutalist abandoned office building to be replaced was quickly met with disbelief as i viewed upon the 12 story proposal.

I think Newcastles building height limit is not tall enough in the city centre but 47 Darby street isn’t even in the ‘city’.

The building needs to be scaled back to fit the residential area it lies in.

Darby street desperately needs more parking and transport. People travel in from out of area and have to park up in the housing commission to get a coffee.

A parking tower behind the art gallery of only 2-3 story’s would be better for Darby street than a 12 story eye sore.

I have to jump through hoops to paint the front of my house and can only paint my roof certain colours and yet this modern Newcastle west tower can be a stones throw away.
Not a happy camper.

I’m someone who has a passion for seeing the city develop, but dropping modern ugly towers everywhere isn’t going to build a city!!!!

We need new tram lines out to merewether, moving people around to the parts of Newcastle where they actually are and want to go.
A line from civic to the merewether surf house going via the junction would move more people in a month than the hunter street line does in a year.

So to end, Darby street needs development! Just development that the area ACTUALLY needs.

I would be genuinely fine with the development if it were half as tall.
There’s just too many factors all at once making me unable to sit quiet.


Thankyou
Jack and Olivia Beckham
Mid 20’s married couple.