This should not be approved until the Ku-Ring-Gai council's proposed scenario has been voted on.

SSD's should not be approved until Ku-ring-gai Council's preferred scenario has been voted on and dealt with.

I believe that the proposal to construct a 10-storey residential building on Stanhope Road represents a significant disruption to the established urban fabric and community character of the area. Killara is renowned for its low-density housing and status as a Heritage Conservation Area—its unique identity is built upon the presence of single- and double-storey dwellings that harmonise with the natural environment. This development not only dramatically exceeds the height of surrounding buildings, but also introduces excessive density, increased population, and traffic pressure, all of which threaten the daily lives of local residents. A structure so vastly out of scale will inevitably lead to issues such as overshadowing, noise, loss of privacy, and reduction of green space, diminishing the overall quality of life for those living nearby. This proposal disregards the existing planning intent for the area and ignores the community’s legitimate expectations for environmental preservation and neighbourhood stability.

As a resident of Ku ring gai for the past 55 years, I write with a deep sense of concern regarding the proposed development project that threatens the cultural and environmental heritage, amenity, and liveability of our unique neighbourhood and particularly my neighbours in Killara. I have visited the Marian Street Theatre with family on many occasions and my children have played sport on the nearby reservoir.

Amenity and Liveability
One of the defining aspects of Ku ring gai is its tranquillity and the balanced integration of green spaces with residential areas. This amenity supports physical and mental well-being, offering residents calm retreats from the bustle of urban life. The proposed development, however, introduces urban density and designs that are starkly at odds with the neighbourhood's character. It jams everything together and suggests residents should be grateful for this.

The increased traffic, noise pollution, and strain on local infrastructure will disrupt the peaceful rhythm of daily life. Moreover, the design of the project, which is out of character with the existing urban framework, risks creating an environment that feels alien and uninviting, undermining the sense of belonging that residents treasure and visitors enjoy.
I urge the State Planning Authority to delay approval of this project in its current form and to engage with local residents to develop a plan that preserves the liveability and identity of this end of Stanhope Road. It is distressing to many of us, that this project will come at the expense of heritage and harmony.

Proposed Development in Stanhope Road

The NSW in-fill affordable housing provisions “ require the consent authority to consider the character of the local area or the desired future character for areas under transition.”
By accepting the proposed scale of this project, the consent authority would ignore the character of the area. Densified and affordable housing is acceptable, but this project is overkill, being too high and imposing on the neighbourhood.
We accept the need and intent of the TOD to increase the density of housing and supply of affordable housing around Killara Station. However, that should not be a licence to trash the character of the area and needs to be a sensitive development.
This proposal is inappropriately out of scale for the battle-axe site and its surroundings.
If the development is to proceed, we request the consent authority rejects this architectural form and requires a lower maximum height, and reduces the number of apartments to a sustainable scale. That revised architecture would hopefully address:
• the need for a greater set-back from the rear neighbours;
• require less excavation;
• provide some vehicular access at ground level to the rear buildings for fire and services access; and
• some on grade visitor parking

Build Form
The proposed maximum height of 35 m is excessive and would adversely impact all adjacent and opposite houses on Stanhope Rd with compromised street scape and natural light.
The developer is attempting to use the Affordable Housing provisions to grossly over-develop the site, presumably for maximum profitability, and in the process totally disregards the character of the Killara neighbourhood. At the very least the Variation Request must be denied.

Traffic and Parking impact
The increased traffic will increase danger, congestion and on-street parking adversely affecting the resident parking with difficult access to each of the resident’s driveways and also compromising pedestrian safety. Many children access this road for commuting to the station including our own and this new development proposal will significantly increase the risk of accidents.
The Proposal includes an estimate of around 20,000 tonnes of demolition and excavation material to be trucked off the site. This would have to use Culworth Avenue, which is not up to standard or safe.
Stanhope Road already carries heavy am and pm traffic. Access to and from the Pacific Highway at Stanhope Road is already at capacity and is unsafe. The additional burden of construction traffic and a further addition of 168 resident cars plus 27 visitor spaces would create an increased traffic and safety problem. The carparking proposed is scaled back for the TOD concessions but it is unlikely to be adequate for a development with a large number of 3- and 4-bedroom apartments, where typically, owners have more than one car. The basement level of visitor carparking is inconvenient and is likely to result in visitors parking on the street in Stanhope Road, which because of being parked out, would inevitably result in council imposing future parking restrictions – again, a retrograde and unnecessary consequence for the local community.

Stormwater
Increased stormwater runoff. The proposed increase in site coverage would result in a serious increase in stormwater runoff, particularly in the event of a major storm event. This has the real potential to cause flooding of neighbouring properties.
There is a real risk of blockages and consequential flow would rise out of the manholes causing an above ground flow and flood.

To: The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Re: Submission Opposing the Residential Flat Building Development at 10, 14 & 14A Stanhope Road, Killara (SSD Proposal)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I write to formally object to the proposed development for residential flat buildings incorporating infill affordable housing at 10, 14 and 14A Stanhope Road, Killara.

1. Traffic Management and Safety Concerns
Stanhope Road is already under considerable traffic pressure as it serves as a well-used cut-through for vehicles bypassing the Pacific Highway and accessing Fiddens Wharf Road. It is a narrow, predominantly residential street that cannot accommodate the increased traffic volumes, congestion, and road safety issues this development will undoubtedly create.

The proposed high-density development will add significant vehicle movements from residents, service vehicles, and construction traffic. This will further compromise pedestrian safety, increase noise pollution, and degrade the livability of an otherwise quiet suburban street.

2. Inconsistency with Heritage Character
Stanhope Road is home to several heritage and character dwellings, forming part of the established historical and architectural identity of Killara. Introducing a 10-storey residential flat building in this context is completely at odds with the existing streetscape and would severely diminish the suburb’s cultural and visual appeal. The scale, bulk, and intensity of the development are entirely out of character with the existing built form.

3. Contrary to Ku-ring-gai Council’s TOD Draft Plan
This proposal directly contradicts Ku-ring-gai Council’s current Draft Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Plan, which proposes a measured and locally-sensitive approach to housing growth. The TOD plan encourages context-appropriate densification around transport hubs, but not at the expense of local amenity, traffic flow, and heritage conservation. The current SSD proposal disregards this balance entirely.

This premature and overly intense development undermines Council’s authority and community-informed strategic planning processes. Approving this application would set a dangerous precedent for future high-rise incursions into historically low-density, character-filled neighbourhoods like Stanhope Road.

4. Conclusion
While I support the intent to increase housing supply and affordability, such initiatives must be integrated thoughtfully and in collaboration with local planning authorities. This proposal fails on multiple fronts—traffic impact, heritage erosion, community character, and non-compliance with Ku-ring-gai Council’s TOD plan.

I urge the Department to decline this development application in its current form.

Yours sincerely,

I object to this development on the following grounds -
> Excessive height compared with the surrounding buildings causing shadowing, loss of privacy and visual changes not in keeping with the existing streetscape of Stanhope Road.
> the development isolates and towers over adjacent homes some of which are Heritage listed. Stanhope Road currently has no unit blocks so the change will be dramatic. The overshadowing, loss of privacy and loss of amenity issues will affect more than 50 residences directly to the north, south, east and west of the proposed development.
> while the Government’s aim was to develop low/medium-rise buildings around transport hubs this is a high-rise development which is completely incompatible with the locality and hence, is not in the public interest.
> this development is not consistent with the Ku-ring-gai Council’s Preferred Scenario which recommends a maximum height of 12 meters in this area rather than the 35 meters proposed in this application.
> this development will cause further overloading of services including local schools (enrolments in numerous schools in Ku-ring-gai already above their maximum designated maximum numbers) as well as medical and other health services.

I am writing to formally lodge my objection to the proposed development at 10 stanhope rd killara, which involves the construction of a high-rise building adjacent to my property at 4 stanhope rd killara.

As a long-term resident of this neighbourhood, I am deeply concerned about the potential negative impact this development will have on our community and quality of life. My main concerns are as follows:
1. Loss of Privacy
The proposed building’s height will result in significant overlooking into my home and backyard, severely impacting my family’s privacy.
2. Overshadowing
The height and bulk of the proposed structure will cast long shadows over my property, reducing natural sunlight, especially during the winter months.
3. Traffic and Parking Issues
An increase in residents or commercial tenants will undoubtedly add pressure to already limited street parking and worsen local traffic congestion.
4. Change in Neighbourhood Character
Our suburb has traditionally consisted of low-rise residential homes. A tall building would be inconsistent with the area’s existing character and may set an undesirable precedent for future overdevelopment.
5. Impact on Property Value
The proposed high-rise may negatively affect the value of surrounding properties due to the reasons mentioned above.

I respectfully request that the Council reconsider the scale and scope of this development, and ensure that it aligns with the local planning controls and the best interests of the existing community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

My husband and I and our family have lived at 21 Stanhope Road for 27 1/2 years and we strenuously oppose the TOD SSD for 10,14 and 14a Stanhope Road Killara and we believe the SSD does not address a number of the requirements contained in the SEARS documents.

Objection attached