I object to the Government's proposed Crows Nest Over Station
Development application and submit an alternative proposal, being a
submission for the construction on the site above Crows Nest Metro
Station, Pacific Highway Crows Nest, of

CROWS NEST PUBLIC PRIMARY AND PRE SCHOOL.




Concerning the Government's Crows Nest/St Leonards "precinct," the
Planning Publicity material indicates that:

"With a new Sydney Metro station opening at Crows Nest in 2024 there
are exciting opportunities to rejuvenate the St Leonards and Crows
Nest area with new jobs, open space, infrastructure and homes, while
ensuring the local character of the area is maintained and enhanced."
(DP&E)


In its entirety, this is not an easy attainable rationale.

Provision of additional recreational "open space" and "infrastructure"
commensurate with a project population increase of 100% is a
substantial goal to satisfy, together with "ensuring the local
character of the area is maintained and enhanced."

But I focus my attention concerning this submission, on the
dramatically increased number of children expected in the area, the
question of the community dissatisfaction Government has created in
the provision of State Public Education to the children in the
electorates of the Lower North Shore exemplified by unsatisfactory
enrolment opportunity, "bussing" of children and the current
conditions for example, at Willoughby Public School (2017 enrolment of
1079 children.) Children have to share site and facilities with
students from the adjacent High School and to work and play in an area
to be dominated by the now all too common collection of Departmental
demountable classrooms.
"The work on this upgrade will commence during 2018 and is planned to
be completed by 2020."(WPS).

The Over Station Development submission document repeatedly refers to
the need for a hotel to provide accommodation for the non-existent
"educational cluster" although obviously teachers do not live in
hotels (although certainly the provision of affordable teacher
accommodation in this locale would prove popular). The EIS [p179]
recognises that it is important, in reflecting on the height of
development ......

"to respond to the local community's expectations for
development within their precinct."


The Government proposes an aspirational minimum of 7,500 additional
unit residences in their Crows Nest/St Leonards "precinct" excluding
developments already planned, approved or in construction. Based on
latest census statistics this means over an extra 1,000 school age
children living in the area. With the Government's own decision to
sell their two school sites actually within the Crows Nest "precinct"
there are now no schools, Public or Private, in the area of their
Crows Nest/St Leonards precinct and children must be "bussed" to
school.
The Government plan does not mention provision of a school within the
precinct although a map "dot point" is noted, located in the grounds
of Gore Hill Cemetery.

Since previous Government planning decisions created the current
enrolment crisis, the Government cannot again claim, that they "failed
to anticipate a rise in high-density housing" in Sydney (SMH September
12, 2014). In the Crows Nest/St Leonards "precinct" the Government
itself has created the "plan" for "high-density housing" and should
certainly be planning now to cater for future needs. Failure to do so
means that scenes currently at Willoughby Public School demountable
classrooms and construction Zone of Day 1, 2019 may well be re-enacted
in the future (as they occur, and have occurred at other Lower North
Shore schools).

Within the Government's Rezoning submission of a

"Concept State Significant Development Application seeking consent for
the broad concept for an Over Station Development above the Crows Nest
Metro Station"

the Government itself has recognised and committed to the need for

" social infrastructure (i.e. community facilities)."

Accordingly, with adjacent Public Primary schools already overcrowded
and generally continuing to increase their enrolments to, or above the
Department's own Enrolment Ceiling, the time is right to take the
initiative with construction of A PUBLIC PRE-SCHOOL AND PRIMARY SCHOOL
on currently vacant Crows Nest Metro site. Remember, there is no
Public or Private School in the Crows Nest/
St Leonards precinct delineated by the Department of Planning and
Environment.

Not only is the site ideally placed in the centre of the Government's
precinct but it is the only suitable Government owned vacant site in
the vicinity. The site may not be large enough for a conventional
sprawling Australian style suburban Public School, but it is certainly
adequate for a Paris Style Public School, many of which are
constructed in Paris on sites of even less area than is available
here.

Creatively planned architecture would ensure that a school building
was designed to facilitate a smooth conversion to satisfy future
community requirements which might emerge later, eg Aged Citizens'
Care Facility, so that the Government would be not have to dispose of
State owned property.

Concept State Significant Development Application - SSD 18_9579 Crows
Nest Overstation Development - Submission

I strongly object to the above application for the reasons outlined
below:
* The proposed OSD, consisting of 2 x 27 storey residential towers, a
17 storey hotel and an 8 storey commercial tower will destroy Crows
Nest. It completely ignores the requirements of the Placemaking and
Principles Study that underpins the St Leonards Crows Nest precinct.
It is a shameful grab for value capture whilst ignoring the
community's preference for retention of the Crows Nest Village.

* The proposed OSD would encourage developers to submit planning
proposals for adjacent sites, seeking to vary planning controls in the
St Leonards Crows Nest precinct, thus further destroying the fine
grain nature of Crows Nest.

* The DPE has vowed to protect Crows Nest village more simply
described as the Willoughby Road strip, and this proposal destroys it.
It is the duty of the DPE to reject the OSD proposal and insist on an
alternative that meets the existing planning controls in the NSLEP
2013.

* The buildings above the Crows Nest Metro station should be designed
to support our destination as a Health and Education Precinct and to
bring more jobs into the area, enabling achievement of the jobs target
set by the Greater Sydney Commission.

* I object to a change in planning controls for this site as proposed
by the rezoning proposal. The proposed setbacks are designed to
maximise the building footprints, not to enable Crows Nest to be a
viable vibrant place.

* I object building any high-rise residential towers on this site.
Residential developments do next to nothing to bring jobs and business
to the area.

* I object to the proposed 17 storey hotel which, if history is any
guide, would be doomed to failure just like the Ramada. That building
has been recently converted to residential apartments, and has done
nothing to help create jobs.

* There should be no building on Block C, thus leaving that site
available for a pedestrian plaza directly near the station
entrance/exit.

* I object to any parking on this site. We want the area to be as CAR
FREE as possible.

* Rather than residential buildings, this site must continue as a
vital employment and business generating retail/commercial/service
district without the encroachment of residential development which
does nothing for jobs or business.

* Any buildings above the Metro site should be part of an education
hub. They could contain, for example, a high-tech technology park;
TAFE that specialised in technology, hospitality, cooking and the film
industry; a comprehensive, non-selective high school; a selective
technology high school; a language school; a music school; a drama
school; a dance school and a culinary institute.

* I want any buildings above the Metro to contain services and
activities that maintain and improve the health of the community:
medical services; alternative health care; recreational spaces; a
performance space; movie theatres; a new community centre; more
childcare; a start-up hub and serviced offices.

* I want any buildings above the Metro to bring people and jobs to the
area - not more high-rise residential towers.

* I object to the visual impact and dwarfing effect that the proposed
buildings will have on Crows Nest and Wollstonecraft. These low-rise
suburbs will feel `hemmed in'. The OSD development must reflect the
fine grain nature of Crows Nest that currently exists.

* I object to the overshadowing of Nicholson Street, Hume Street Park,
Willoughby Road and Ernest Place in particular year-round, not just
between 9.00 am and 3.00 pm.

* I object to the inadequate setbacks as proposed along the Pacific
Highway, Hume and Oxley Streets, and Clarke Lane.

* I want to ensure there are generous setbacks to enable wider
sidewalks and tree lined streets.

* I would like part of the site between Pacific Highway and Clarke
Lane dedicated to open space with a tree line to Pacific Highway and
some green space as well.

I object to the Crows Nest Metro Concept SSD for the following reasons:-

1. the proposed use of the site is inconsistent with the primary
objective of the Greater Sydney Commission's North District Plan to
increase employment in the area adjacent to the Metro Station. The
bulk of the development over the station is designated for residential
use.

Development over the station is the optimal location for commercial
office space, especially with the erosion of quality office space that
has characterised the development of St Leonards and Crows Nest in
recent years

2. the Metro is a public authority. It has a responsibility to set
standards for development that are consistent with NSW government
planning policies and to develop the site for public benefit, not to
facilitate commercial objectives of developers

3. the bulk and scale of the development is inconsistent with the
stated objective of NSW Planning to preserve the village atmosphere of
Crows Nest and Willoughby Road

4. assessment of the SSD should not be progressed until completion of
the consultation period for the St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 Plan
and the Metro re-zoning proposal and full assessment by and feedback
from the NSW Department of Planning. To do otherwise calls into
question the commitment of the NSW Department of Planning to genuine
community consultation.

I object to the Crows Nest Metro Concept SSD for the following reasons:-

1. the proposed use of the site is inconsistent with the primary
objective of the Greater Sydney Commission's North District Plan to
increase employment in the area adjacent to the Metro Station. The
bulk of the development over the station is designated for residential
use.

Development over the station is the optimal location for commercial
office space, especially with the erosion of quality office space that
has characterised the development of St Leonards and Crows Nest in
recent years

2. the Metro is a public authority. It has a responsibility to set
standards for development that are consistent with NSW government
planning policies and to develop the site for public benefit, not to
facilitate commercial objectives of developers

3. the bulk and scale of the development is inconsistent with the
stated objective of NSW Planning to preserve the village atmosphere of
Crows Nest and Willoughby Road

4. assessment of the SSD should not be progressed until completion of
the consultation period for the St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 Plan
and the Metro re-zoning proposal and full assessment by and feedback
from the NSW Department of Planning. To do otherwise calls into
question the commitment of the NSW Department of Planning to genuine
community consultation.

I object to the Crows Nest Metro Concept SSD for the following reasons:-

1. the proposed use of the site is inconsistent with the primary
objective of the Greater Sydney Commission's North District Plan to
increase employment in the area adjacent to the Metro Station. The
bulk of the development over the station is designated for residential
use.

Development over the station is the optimal location for commercial
office space, especially with the erosion of quality office space that
has characterised the development of St Leonards and Crows Nest in
recent years

2. the Metro is a public authority. It has a responsibility to set
standards for development that are consistent with NSW government
planning policies and to develop the site for public benefit, not to
facilitate commercial objectives of developers

3. the bulk and scale of the development is inconsistent with the
stated objective of NSW Planning to preserve the village atmosphere of
Crows Nest and Willoughby Road

4. assessment of the SSD should not be progressed until completion of
the consultation period for the St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 Plan
and the Metro re-zoning proposal and full assessment by and feedback
from the NSW Department of Planning. To do otherwise calls into
question the commitment of the NSW Department of Planning to genuine
community consultation.

Crows Nest is becoming overdeveloped. Planning needs to address issues of
over development with regard to infrastructure and preservation of
lifestyle for current residents

REFER TO FILE

Concept State Significant Development Application SSD 18_9579
Sydney Metro Crows Nest Over Station Development
Final date for submissions 8 February 2019

I object to the Crows Nest Metro Concept SSD for the following
reasons:-
1. the proposed use of the site is inconsistent with the primary
objective of the Greater Sydney Commission's North District Plan to
increase employment in the area adjacent to the Metro Station. The
bulk of the development over the station is designated for residential
use.
Development over the station is the optimal location for commercial
office space, especially with the erosion of quality office space that
has characterised the development of St Leonards and Crows Nest in
recent years

2. the Metro is a public authority. It has a responsibility to set
standards for development that are consistent with NSW government
planning policies and to develop the site for public benefit, not to
facilitate commercial objectives of developers

3. the bulk and scale of the development is inconsistent with the
stated objective of NSW Planning to preserve the village atmosphere of
Crows Nest and Willoughby Road

4. assessment of the SSD should not be progressed until completion of
the consultation period for the St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 Plan
and the Metro re-zoning proposal and full assessment by and feedback
from the NSW Department of Planning. To do otherwise calls into
question the commitment of the NSW Department of Planning to genuine
community consultation.

I object to the Crows Nest Metro Concept SSD for the following reasons:
1. the proposed use of the site is inconsistent with the primary
objective of the Greater Sydney Commission's North District Plan to
increase employment in the area adjacent to the Metro Station. The
bulk of the development over the station is designated for residential
use.
Development over the station is the optimal location for commercial
office space, especially with the erosion of quality office space that
has characterised the development of St Leonards and Crows Nest in
recent years

2. the Metro is a public authority. It has a responsibility to set
standards for development that are consistent with NSW government
planning policies and to develop the site for public benefit, not to
facilitate commercial objectives of developers

3. the bulk and scale of the development is inconsistent with the
stated objective of NSW Planning to preserve the village atmosphere of
Crows Nest and Willoughby Road

4. assessment of the SSD should not be progressed until completion of
the consultation period for the St Leonards and Crows Nest 2036 Plan
and the Metro re-zoning proposal and full assessment by and feedback
from the NSW Department of Planning. To do otherwise calls into
question the commitment of the NSW Department of Planning to genuine
community consultation.

I object to the Crows Nest Sydney Metro Site Rezoning Proposal. My
detailed objection is attached.