If approved, Gordon’s heritage home and tree canopy will be lost.
Traffic and parking chaos will worsen.
Infrastructure will be overwhelmed

Dear Project NSW Team,

I strongly object to the proposed development at 21–25 McIntosh Street and 55 Werona Avenue.

This area does not have the infrastructure to support such a large-scale high-rise. Local roads are narrow and already congested, public transport is under pressure, and essential services such as schools, parks, and healthcare are limited. Adding such a large number of new residents will place unacceptable strain on the community.

The excessive height and density are out of character with the surrounding low-rise residential area and will damage the liveability of the neighbourhood. The proposal fails to respect the existing planning framework and will negatively affect both current and future residents.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask that Council refuse the development in its current form.

Yours faithfully,
A concerned local resident

Dear Project Screening Team,

I strongly object to the proposed development at 21–25 McIntosh Street and 55 Werona Avenue.

This area does not have the infrastructure to support such a large-scale high-rise. Local roads are narrow and already congested, public transport is under pressure, and essential services such as schools, parks, and healthcare are limited. Adding such a large number of new residents will place unacceptable strain on the community.

The excessive height and density are out of character with the surrounding low-rise residential area and will damage the liveability of the neighbourhood. The proposal fails to respect the existing planning framework and will negatively affect both current and future residents.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask that Council refuse the development in its current form.

Yours faithfully,
A concerned local resident

As a local resident, I’m writing in support of the proposed development at McIntosh Street and Werona Avenue, Gordon. Having lived in this area for many years, I care deeply about its character and future. I believe this project strikes a good balance between growth and sensitivity to the surrounding environment.

This proposal sits within 400 metres of Gordon Station and aligns with the government’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program, which encourages responsible housing supply near public transport. The design respects that vision with buildings that are thoughtfully planned and scaled.

I was reassured to see that while some trees will be removed, none are indigenous, and the overall tree canopy will actually increase, with 66 new trees being planted. This will help maintain the green, leafy streetscape that makes Gordon such a beautiful place to live.

In terms of heritage, the proposal is careful not to impact Eryldene House, which is not adjacent to the development site and remains separated by another residential property. Overshadowing has been addressed in detail, and access to Eryldene is protected by a registered right of carriageway that remains unchanged by this proposal.

I also appreciate the inclusion of 33 affordable apartments, which will open the suburb to a more diverse range of people while supporting essential workers and those seeking to stay in the area close to transport and services.

From everything I’ve read in the Environmental Impact Statement, the proposal meets all planning requirements, respects the existing context, and offers benefits to both current and future residents.

I’ve also noticed that many objections to this project take a very black-and-white view of change, as if any development is automatically harmful. But this kind of thinking isn’t helpful, especially when we’re facing a housing crisis. We do need to be considerate of different price points and life stages, and streets like McIntosh should be accessible to more than just one kind of resident. Proximity to transport and good schools should not be a class privilege, it’s something we should plan for more inclusively.

Thank you for considering my submission. I hope the Department will support this project as a well-planned and positive contribution to our community.

While I understand the need for more housing in NSW, this particular development just isn’t right for the area. It’s far too dense, completely out of scale with the neighbourhood, and brings serious concerns around traffic, parking, the environment, and the overall character of our community.

Too Many Apartments for the Area
Packing 165 units into this site is simply too much. Gordon is a low-rise suburb made up mostly of houses and small-scale buildings. Dropping high-rise towers in the middle of it would drastically change the feel of the neighbourhood and set a worrying precedent for more overdevelopment in similar areas.

Traffic and Parking Will Be a Nightmare
McIntosh Street is already a busy and narrow road, with parking allowed on both sides on weekends and several tricky intersections. Adding hundreds more residents — and their cars — will overwhelm local streets, create serious traffic congestion, and cause parking chaos that spills into surrounding roads.

This development would also put more pressure on the already congested Gordon overpass and underpass, especially during peak hours. It’s not a good fit for this kind of location.

The Buildings Are Way Too Tall
Nine storeys is completely out of step with the rest of the area, where most buildings are two storeys at most. These towers would dominate the streetscape, block light, affect privacy, and change the look and feel of the neighbourhood in a really negative way.

“Affordable Housing” in Name Only
Although the proposal uses the label of “affordable housing,” the reality doesn’t match. Apartments near Gordon Station are selling for close to $1m — hardly affordable for most people. This is essentially a standard, market-rate development, with no real affordability or public benefit for the community.

No Support for Local Infrastructure
There’s no sign this development would come with any meaningful investment in local schools, parks, or transport. Yet it would place even more pressure on services that are already stretched. It’s not fair to current or future residents to keep adding density without proper planning.

Conclusion
This development doesn’t suit the location — it’s too dense, too tall, and puts too much pressure on our local streets, environment, and infrastructure. It would permanently change the character of Gordon for the worse.

I strongly urge the Department to reject SSD-83478456 and help protect what makes this neighbourhood livable and unique.

The traffics can’t cope with the increase of apartments. So does the pubic school.
Also have impact on the nearby heritage buildings.

SSD-83478456
No. 21,23,25 McIntosh St & 55 Werona Ave Gordon

To whom it may concern,

As a student living in Killara, I feel compelled to speak up about the proposed 8-storey apartment development planned for our neighbourhood. While I understand the need for more housing in Sydney, this particular project feels completely out of step with the character of our community.

Loss of Privacy and Wellbeing
My bedroom window faces the proposed development site. If this project goes ahead, I’ll be living under the constant gaze of residents, with balconies and windows looking directly into my personal space. This isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s an invasion of privacy. It will affect how I study, sleep, and live in my own home.

Environmental Damage
The development will result in the removal of over 30 established trees, many of which provide shade, privacy, and habitat for local wildlife. These trees are part of what makes this area feel like home. Replacing them with small shrubs or low-canopy trees won’t come close to restoring what’s lost. The environmental impact is permanent, and the proposed landscaping offers no real solution.

Overshadowing and Loss of Sunlight
At 26.8 metres tall, the building will cast long shadows over neighbouring homes and backyards. Our family garden that I use daily throughout the year, will be in shade for most of the day. Natural light is essential—not just for comfort, but for mental health and wellbeing. This development will take that away from many residents, including myself.

This video is a drone I flew at the building height around the boundary facing out across the suburb, residents here will be able to see into the backyards and through windows of hundreds of houses, the oldest house in the street Eryldene Historic House will have an 8 story, 26.8 metre apartment block as the backdrop that will destroy the character and privacy of the gardens backyard. I don't understand why anyone would approve apartments so close to such an iconic landmark.

Traffic and Safety Concerns
The area is already under pressure during peak hours, especially near schools like Ravenswood. Adding approximately 400 new residents and vehicles will only make things worse. As someone who walks and takes public transport daily, I’m concerned about increased congestion, reduced pedestrian safety, and the lack of infrastructure upgrades to support this growth.

Community Disconnection
What’s most frustrating is that this development seems to be driven by profit, not people. There’s been little meaningful consultation with residents, and the scale of the project feels like it’s being forced into a space that simply can’t support it. The character of Gordon and Killara—quiet, green, and community-focused—is at risk of being lost.

I’m not against development. I understand the need for more housing, especially for young people like me. But this proposal is excessive, poorly planned, and out of touch with the needs of the community it will affect most.

Please reconsider this development and work with local residents and council to find a solution that supports growth without destroying the heritage of these already busy streets.

Regards,
TM

I object to the proposed development at 21-25 McIntosh St and 55 Werona Ave due to the detrimental impact it will have on the following issues:
Bulk & Scale; Negative impact on Conservation Areas and Heritage Items; Overshadowing; Loss of Privacy; Deep soil landscape; Significant tree removal; Right of Way; Increased traffic; and Visitor parking.
Please refer to the detailed statement attached.