I strongly object to this redevelopment proposal on the grounds that it will replace 80 affordably priced and livable studio apartments with just 9 affordable units during a cost of living and housing crisis.

Really? Using an affordable housing policy to destroy affordable housing itself? The developer is weaponising a public welfare policy turning it against the very people it is designed to protect.

The statutory intent of the Housing SEPP is to incentivise the creation of new, additional affordable housing to ease the housing crisis. The developer is using the SEPP to demolish 80 affordable homes and replace them with 34 luxury homes. A net destruction of 46 dwellings. They are using the letter of the law to completely violate its spirit.

The 15-year limit on the 9 ‘affordable’ units exposes the developer’s real agenda. This short-term affordability is not a genuine public benefit, but a strategic move to exploit a policy loophole. In exchange for a temporary expiring discount on just 9 units, the developer secures a permanent 30% bonus in height and FSR, permanently bypassing local planning controls. This is a blatantly one-sided deal made to benefit the developer at the expense of the community.

This proposal is using public policy for private profit at the expense of vulnerable communities. It’s a calculated effort to destroy affordable housing and replace it with exclusive, high-end real estate. The community deserves more than empty promises and loopholes that benefit only the developer’s bottom line.

AMENDED APPLICATION STAGE 1 -- TO DEMOLISH THE CHIMES
I strongly object to this Amendment to the current Development Proposal. The reasons areas follows :--
1) DEMOLITION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
This amendment to the Development Proposal for demolition of this valuable, much needed building, prior to all the previous major and serious objections to the proposed development being addressed and resolved should not be permitted.
To demolish affordable housing on the pretence that the new proposed development would improve the grave lack of affordable housing in this community is incorrect.
The suggestion that to do so will speed up the redevelopment is a deliberate attempt to quickly remove The Chimes building which currently presents many hurdles to the approval of the current development proposal.

2) DESTRUCTION OF 80 LOW INCOME AFFORDABLE HOMES TO CREATE ONLY 5 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES
The Chimes apartment building comprises 80 low income affordable homes. This proposed development seeks approval to increase the height and bulk of existing planning regulations by virtue of its claim to be adding to the quantity of affordable housing. But this proposal would only create 5 low income affordable housing units whilst destroying 80 thereby achieving a net loss of 65 homes.
This is clearly a backward step. The result would be totally the opposite of the government's claim to be addressing the current dire affordable housing problems.

3) AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK REDUCED : NOT INCREASED
Any proposed development that seeks to reduce housing availability in Potts Point is undesirable and should not be approved.
In the Executive Summary, page2, headed 'Updated Justification and Evaluation' the developer uses the opinions of their paid consultant, who is necessarily obliged to support their development. The consultant's statement claims that the proposed development '...would facilitate the redevelopment of the site for diverse and affordable housing in an accessible location directly responding to the NSW Government's policy mandate to improve housing choice and affordability'.
However the current development proposal aims to provide 33 luxurious, high-end apartments and only 5 low income affordable apartments. This clearly demonstrates that the proposed development is hugely skewed in favour of luxury development. It does not provide adverse range of housing. It seriously reduces the existing 80 affordable homes on this site to a token of 5.
It does not facilitate the NSW Government's affordable housing mandate.

4) POPULATION DIVERSITY DIMINISHED
This proposed development, if approved, would continue the rampant reduction of the once diverse demographic of this community which since the early 1900's has been acknowledged as highly desirable, creating a dense, broad, vital and lively mix of residents.
Recent Census results show a population decline in this community; not an increase. The recent government approved destruction of many buildings providing a considerable amount of affordable housing is turning this community into a ghetto for hugely rich downsizers whilst removing the much needed supply of housing for the essential workers who support our community.
If this continues, most average buyers and renters will no longer be able to buy into the Potts Point area.

5) IGNORING CURRENT DEVELOPMENT HEIGHT LIMITS TO FAVOUR THE DEVELOPER
This development proposal seeks approval to exceed the current building height limit by a further 3 storeys to allow the developer to build 33 large luxury apartments. It tries to justify this increase of the allowable building height by offering justb5 affordable housing units to replace the 80 existing affordable homes.
This increase to the building height would allow the developer to reap huge profits at the expense of vitally needed diverse and affordable housing.
it is a pretence to suggest that this proposed development achieves anything except developer profit. It offers nothing to the community. It should not be permitted.

6) MERITS OF ARCHITECTURAL AND SOCIAL HERITAGE OF THE CHIMES IGNORED
I object to the ignorant dismissal of The Chimes as a valuable element of the diverse building environment in Potts Point.
It is a sad fact that the recognition of our built heritage post World War II is largely lacking on the register of heritage buildings.
The developer, in 'Response to Submissions', again uses their paid consultant to denigrate the value of The Chimes, dismissing it as an '...undistinguished example of its building type' designed by '...modestly well-known post-war emigre architect'.
These statements ignore the that the design of The Chimes is a forerunner of virtually all the post-war apartments built in the eastern suburbs of Sydney during the 1960's and!970's. Apartments designed and built in answer to the huge need for inner-city housing for the rapidly growing post-war population in a time of finance.
The Chimes architect, Hugo Stossel, was well respected member of a cohort of emigre european architects who sought refuge in Sydney at the time of World War II. Architects who brought with them knowledge of, and expertise in, the new advanced approach to Modern Architecture being developed in Europe.
Hugo Stossel himself designed and built many apartment buildings in the Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Darling Point precincts, successfully demonstrating the use of this new, modern architectural typology. The Chimes was carefully designed as a practical response to post-war budgets, which could no longer afford the additional decorative elements of previous eras. The Chimes skillful use of modern construction techniques and materials provides a pared back but distinctive architecture. The clever use of the bands of concrete sunshades provides excellent design elements to its facades whilst the modern mix of pale brickwork, metal windows and lightly coloured, painted concrete make The Chimes stand out as a very modern adjunct to the neighbouring mix of Victorian, Federation and Art Deco buildings.
It is this example of modern design and post-war architectural principles that make The Chimes an important part of the variety of built Architectural Heritage in Potts Point.
It is the addition to the streetscape and the history of the vast and diverse number of residents who have lived in The Chimes for over 60 years which declares The Chimes as an integral component of the Social Heritage of Potts Point.

7) VIEWS AND OUTLOOK LOSS BOTH TO AND FROM HERITAGE BUILDINGS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE BULK
The massive bulk that would occur in this development proposal by building over the current 3 storey Chimes carpark to a height of 35 metres, exceeding the current allowable height limits, would result in the loss of existing important views and outlook being lost for ever.
In particular, view loss would be significant both to and from the Macleay Regis building which stands directly opposite The Chimes on Macleay Street. The Macleay Regis, quite literally the king of Macleay Street, is a significant, heritage listed nine storey Art Deco architectural gem. To shield it from view with the massive wall of the proposed building envelope would obscure the visibility of Macleay Regis where it sits proudly on the skyline. No longer visible from the City, the Domain, and the terraces of AGNSW. Prominent heritage listed buildings such as this need to be viewed from near and far.
A close study of the section headed 'Response to Submissions Appendix c - Amended Envelope Plans, shows plainly just how vast and bulky the proposed building footprint would be. The envelope drawings showing north and south elevations reveal the huge added depth the building would take. Further analysis of the western and eastern elevations show that the proposed building envelope would virtually double the width of the building along Macleay Street presenting a 35 metre high wall blocking all views and outlook to the city beyond.
The developer's paid consultant relies on the 'Tenacity' methodology for assessing loss of views and suggests that the loss of views to Macleay Regis would be minor and insignificant. Tenacity methodology only considers loss of views of iconic buildings and landscape. It ignores the much more invaluable loss to residents of a distant outlook which has been enjoyed since 1938 when Macleay Regis was built. It also ignores the fact that there would be a loss of views to this iconic heritage building from the city.
Furthermore the 2 centrally positioned one-bedroom apartments on each of the top 6 floors of Macleay Regis would not only have their views but, more importantly, their only outlook, blocked by the huge wall of the proposed building. Thus 12 apartment owners will feel blocked in for ever more, denying their enjoyment of location, which has existed for the past 87 years. These apartments have no other windows, no other outlook.

8) LIKELY USE OF THE GROUND FLOOR TENANCY FOR RESTAURANTS
Despite the statement contained in this amended proposal addressing previous objections and assuring the minister that the ground floor retail areas would not be used for restaurants, this not likely to happen.
Anyone who has lived at this end of Macleay Street knows that retail premises used for any purpose other than restaurants continually fail. Anywhere north-west of Challis Avenue has never succeeded as retail or office use. It is inevitable that the property owner will be forced to lease the ground floor for restaurant use.
I object to this use of further additions of restaurants or bars in this location. Residents already suffer greatly from the excessive late- night noise created by the 6 adjoining bars and restaurants, all of which have late-night pavement use.

Please see attached correspondence being issued on behalf of Macleay Regis Ltd.

Kind regards,

Submission in Objection to Concept Proposal for Mixed Use with Affordable Housing – 45–53 Macleay Street, Potts Point
Site Address: 45–53 Macleay Street, Potts Point

To Whom It May Concern:

I have lived in the Potts Point/Darlinghurst/Elizabeth Bay area since 2013 and, in 2017, purchased my current residence at 12 Macleay Street, Potts Point. I chose this community for its unique character and diversity, qualities that are now under direct threat from the proposed redevelopment of 45–53 Macleay Street (The Chimes).

I respectfully lodge my objection to this development on the following grounds:

1. Loss of Affordable Housing
The Chimes currently provides 80 affordable apartments that have housed a diverse and vibrant community for over 50 years. The proposal would demolish these dwellings and replace them with only 34 apartments, of which just 9 would be designated as “affordable”—and only for a temporary 15-year period. This represents a net loss of 71 affordable homes.
This is wholly inconsistent with both NSW Government and City of Sydney objectives to increase affordable housing. Recent approvals in the area (e.g., 11A & 13A Wylde Street, and 51–57 Bayswater Road) have already contributed to a significant decline in affordable housing stock. The demolition of The Chimes would exacerbate this trend, displacing long-standing residents and undermining community diversity.

2. Reduction of Residential Amenity – Light and Sun Access
My apartment faces west and currently enjoys limited sunlight between 11:00am–1:00pm and again from 3:00pm–4:00pm. The excessive height and bulk of the proposed building would reduce sunlight further, diminishing liveability for myself and other residents. Apartments already struggling to meet minimum amenity standards will fall below acceptable levels if this development proceeds.

3. Loss of Views
The current separation between The Chimes and Yellow House (57–59 Macleay Street) provides unimpeded views of the Sydney skyline for many Macleay Regis apartments, including mine. These views, visible from all west-facing windows and my outdoor terrace, were a significant factor in my decision to purchase my home. The proposed development would permanently obstruct these outlooks, causing a substantial and irreversible loss of amenity.

4. Heritage Conservation Impact
The Chimes itself is representative of 1960s architecture and forms part of the area’s layered heritage. Its demolition, combined with the bulk and scale of the proposed new building, will compromise the character of the precinct. Minimal setbacks and excessive height will overshadow the heritage terraces and interwar apartments that define Potts Point/Elizabeth Bay, diminishing the integrity of the streetscape and the suburb’s cultural value.

5. Excessive Height and Bulk
At 13 storeys and 50.05 metres, the proposed building is grossly disproportionate to surrounding structures, which average 20–30 metres. The trade-off—a mere 9 affordable apartments for only 15 years—does not justify the long-term negative impacts. After this limited period, the affordable units could revert to market housing, while the excessive height remains permanent, delivering an unfair windfall to the developer at the expense of the community.

6. Unsuitable Retail and Hospitality Outlets
Macleay Street in this section is a quiet, residential area with a leafy character, as recognised in the Sydney Development Control Plan (SDCP 6.1.2.2). The introduction of ground-floor cafes and outdoor dining is unnecessary and inconsistent with the locality. Potts Point already has an oversupply of such venues a block away, and this addition would bring unwelcome noise, congestion, and late-night activity. The inclusion of retail outlets appears more a strategy to enable a “fast-track” planning process than a genuine response to community need.

7. Construction and Excavation Risks
The scale of excavation required for three levels of underground parking raises legitimate concerns about impacts on surrounding buildings and the amenity of neighbours. The documentation provided is voluminous and highly technical, leaving residents with inadequate time and resources to fully assess potential risks to structural integrity and quality of life during years of construction.

Conclusion
Approval of this development would cause permanent and irreversible harm to Potts Point. It would:

Displace 80 households and erode affordable housing stock.
Reduce access to light and views for neighbouring residents.
Undermine the heritage character of the precinct.
Introduce inappropriate commercial uses.
Allow an oversized building that will dominate the landscape long after its token “affordable” contribution has lapsed.

Once sunlight, affordability, views, and diversity are lost, they cannot be recovered. This proposal is inconsistent with both the City of Sydney’s vision for the area and broader NSW Government policies to support affordable housing.

For these reasons, I strongly urge that this proposal continue to be rejected.

Resident
12 Macleay Street, Potts Point

I refer to my previous correspondence regarding the proposed development and enclose
once again a copy of my objection for ease of reference.
After careful consideration, I wish to confirm that, for the same reasons as set out in
my earlier submission, I continue to object to the proposed development under the State
Significant Development framework. The concerns previously highlighted remain unresolved and,
My view, present significant grounds for maintaining its objection.
I request that these objections be duly considered in the assessment process. Please do not
hesitate to contact me should any further clarification be required.
Yours sincerely

Duane ODonnell

I am a resident of the Macleay Regis and my west-facing unit looks directly onto the site of the proposed development.

I would like to raise the following objections to the proposed redevelopment of the Chimes:

The size of the proposed development is much larger and yet it will reduce the overall no.of dwellings and the no.of affordable apartments by 100% to the detriment of the demographic mix of the area
The proposed building will dominate its surrounding buildings and is not at all sympathetic to the historic precinct of Potts Point detracting from the heritage feel to the area which currently attracts tourists and visitors. The proposed retail outlets are superfluous with cafes etc being prolific in this area without encroaching on what has been a predominantly residential sector of the suburb reknowned for its Art Deco architecture
The bulk of the building will substantially rob existing Macleay St residents of their views and sunlight whilst subjecting them to increased noise and congestion both during demolition and after reconstruction in the longer term reducung quality of life for current residents
There is NO advantage to the community from the proposal only substantial negative impact particularly to west-facing Macleay Regis residents
The option of renovating the existing Chimes building to something more sympathetic to its location as well as commercially viable does not appear to have been fully explored

In summary, the proposal if passed will definitely adversely affect the local community to an unreasonable extent in both the long and the short term whilst essentially providing benefit only to the developers bank balance. A fairer resolution would be to cosmetically upgrade the current Chimes building, allowing local residents to continue to enjoy their quality of lifestyle whilst providing a more aesthetically pleasing and diverse range of dwellings in keeping with the neighbourhood of Potts Point.