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Submission Objecting to Development Application – Woolworths Customer Fulfilment Centre and Warehouse, Macquarie Park (Application Number SSD-48853239)

To: The NSW Department of Planning
Subject: Objection to Proposed Development Application – Woolworths Customer Fulfilment Centre and Warehouse, Macquarie Park
Date: 5 June 2025

1. Flawed Community Consultation Process
I strongly challenge the applicant’s suggestion that a lack of feedback equates to community support or disinterest. The consultation process was notably flawed:
- The letterbox drop was distributed across a very narrow area, failing to reach many directly affected residents, particularly on the south side of Epping Road (Morshead Street, Cam Street and beyond).
- The feedback period provided by the applicant lasted only one week, insufficient time for residents to become aware of and respond meaningfully to the proposal.
- Several of my neighbours were unaware of the proposal until I personally informed them and they have not had time to submit to the applicant or to the Department of Planning.

I respectfully request that the public consultation period be extended and the notification area expanded to ensure that the broader community—particularly residents along Epping Road, Wicks Road, and surrounding streets—has a fair opportunity to provide input.
2. Inappropriate Location for 24/7 Operations
The site is immediately adjacent to residential properties, making 24-hour operations inappropriate. Unlike Woolworths’ Auburn CFC—which is isolated from homes—this development will expose residents to:
- Constant noise pollution from vehicle movements, loading docks, reversing beepers, and operational equipment;
- Disruption to sleep and mental wellbeing, particularly during overnight hours;
- Degradation of local residential amenity due to constant industrial activity.

The Department must require that operating hours be restricted, particularly during night-time hours (10pm to 7am), to maintain liveability for surrounding residents close to the Wicks Road/Epping Road intersection.
3. Traffic and Noise Management
The development will intensify local traffic volumes and noise during the day and overnight, especially at the already-congested Epping Road and Wicks Road intersection (which is a residential area). To mitigate this, I strongly recommend:
- All traffic be directed to exit via Waterloo Road (left-turn only), a predominantly commercial road with no nearby residents;
- A ‘No Right Turn’ rule be implemented from the new DCP Road onto Wicks Road;
- Clear signage and road treatments to enforce these traffic patterns.

Additional concern: This development will likely increase the number of large delivery trucks using the Caltex service station at Epping and Wicks Road, as well as the Wicks Road/Epping Road traffic intersection, particularly during overnight hours. These vehicles already cause significant sleep disruption due to:
- Loud beeping when reversing;
- Sharp banging noises from cargo doors, tail lifts, and hydraulics;
- Prolonged engine idling and vibration at the service centre and at the traffic intersection
- Compression braking used by heavy vehicles.

Traffic controls should be in place to redirect traffic away from residential areas (e.g. the Wicks Road/Epping Road traffic intersection. Without strong traffic controls and limits on overnight operation, these problems will escalate. Even a small number of heavy vehicles has a major impact to residents given the loud, sudden and sharp noises in the peaceful night.
4. Other Concerns Raised by Stakeholders and Planning Reports
The proponent’s own engagement report outlines several further issues raised by stakeholders that remain relevant:
- Air Quality: Concerns about reduced air quality during construction must be met with enforceable mitigation measures in the Construction Environmental Management Plan.
- Pedestrian Safety: Increased vehicle movements pose risks to pedestrian safety. Design solutions such as clear separation of footpaths and vehicle areas must be implemented.
- Overshadowing and Overlooking: Residents near the site have expressed concern about the building’s scale, overshadowing, and loss of privacy.
- Loss of Trees and Green Space: The proposal should preserve existing mature trees and deep soil areas, in line with State Design Review Panel recommendations.
- Sustainability and Emissions: The facility must commit to genuine emissions reduction, noise mitigation, and sustainable building practices aligned with NSW Government targets.

These issues collectively point to a development that, in its current form, does not adequately respond to its context or community.
5. Conclusion
The scale, location, and 24/7 nature of this proposal is incompatible with the surrounding residential character and amenity of Macquarie Park. I urge the Department to:
- Extend and expand public consultation;
- Restrict operating hours to prevent overnight disturbance (especially between 10pm-7am);
- Enforce traffic and noise mitigation strategies, particularly around Wicks and Epping Roads;
- Require stronger design, environmental, and cultural integration to align with the area’s planning context.

Thank you for considering this submission.

We have a young family and this is a quite neighbourhood and this would be incredibly disruptive to traffic, safety and noise.

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing as a concerned parent of a child enrolled at Nought to Five Early Childhood Centre, a not-for-profit, community based childcare facility located near the proposed Woolworth’s Customer Fulfilment Centre and Warehouse in Macquarie Park.

While I understand the need for development and economic activity, I have concerns about the potential impacts this particular proposal may have on the local environment — especially for young children in our community and object to this proposed development.

My key concerns are as follows:
1. Traffic and Safety
The development is expected to bring a significant increase in heavy vehicle and delivery truck movements. This raises concerns about road safety, particularly during peak drop-off and pick-up times when families and young children are present.
2. Air and Noise Quality
Increased vehicle activity and industrial operations may affect local air quality and introduce persistent noise. These environmental changes could impact children’s outdoor play, rest, and learning experiences.
3. Suitability for the Local Area
The proposed facility is located in a precinct that includes homes, schools, and childcare centres. A large-scale industrial warehouse may not align with the character and needs of a family-oriented neighbourhood.
4. Impact on Early Childhood Development
Children thrive in calm, safe, and healthy environments. The potential disruptions from this development could affect their wellbeing and the ability of educators to provide high-quality care and learning.
5. Uncertainty Around Access Routes
With multiple access routes still under consideration — including options that may direct trucks near the childcare centre — the full impact on traffic and safety remains unclear.

I respectfully ask that these concerns be carefully considered in the assessment of this proposal. Our community values a safe and nurturing environment for children, and it’s important that future developments reflect and support those values.

Sincerely,

Hui Qin teoh
Parent at Nought to Five Early Childhood Centre

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing as a concerned parent of a child enrolled at Nought to Five Early Childhood Centre, a not-for-profit, community based childcare facility located near the proposed Woolworth’s Customer Fulfilment Centre and Warehouse in Macquarie Park.

While I understand the need for development and economic activity, I have concerns about the potential impacts this particular proposal may have on the local environment — especially for young children in our community and object to this proposed development.

My key concerns are as follows:
Traffic and Safety
The development is expected to bring a significant increase in heavy vehicle and delivery truck movements. This raises concerns about road safety, particularly during peak drop-off and pick-up times when families and young children are present.
Air and Noise Quality
Increased vehicle activity and industrial operations may affect local air quality and introduce persistent noise. These environmental changes could impact children’s outdoor play, rest, and learning experiences.
Suitability for the Local Area
The proposed facility is located in a precinct that includes homes, schools, and childcare centres. A large-scale industrial warehouse may not align with the character and needs of a family-oriented neighbourhood.
Impact on Early Childhood Development
Children thrive in calm, safe, and healthy environments. The potential disruptions from this development could affect their wellbeing and the ability of educators to provide high-quality care and learning.
Uncertainty Around Access Routes
With multiple access routes still under consideration — including options that may direct trucks near the childcare centre — the full impact on traffic and safety remains unclear.

I respectfully ask that these concerns be carefully considered in the assessment of this proposal. Our community values a safe and nurturing environment for children, and it’s important that future developments reflect and support those values.
Thanks,
Alison

I object to this proposal given its immediate proximity to multiple childcare centres (including Nought to Five, which is directly adjacent to the planned site) and the negative impacts the construction as well as operation of this warehouse and CFC imposes on the local area.
In particular, I am concerned about the following to name a few:
1. Traffic and Safety
The development is expected to bring a significant increase in heavy vehicle and delivery truck movements, adding to the already congested local road network on Wicks Road and Waterloo Road (which during peak hours are currently at a stand-still and is set to deteriorate further with the additional high density residential units being built on Halifax Street). This further raises concerns about road safety, particularly during peak drop-off and pick-up times when families and young children are present. Has the developer conducted a road safety audit and traffic modelling assessment to support their development?
The increase in road utilisation will impose further wear and tear and degradation on the existing road and pavement, yielding ongoing maintenance requirements and costs to repair pot holes and the like.
2. Air and Noise Quality and Pollution
Increased vehicle activity, construction activity and industrial operations will affect local air quality and introduce persistent noise. These environmental changes could impact children’s outdoor play, rest, and learning experiences. The airborne debris (cement dust, chemicals) produced during construction is of particular concern for the respiratory health and wellbeing of the children at nearby childcare centres.
3. Suitability for the Local Area
The proposed facility is located in a precinct that includes homes, schools, and childcare centres. A large-scale industrial warehouse may not align with the character and needs of a family-oriented neighbourhood. It also impedes on the existing flora and fauna which surrounds the childcare centre. It is natural haven for wildlife including many native birds in an area where so few natural green space exists. This is also vital to childrens health and upbringing, especially in today's society where children are in high density living. The removal of the present green space will futher contribute to the urban heat island effect increasing local temperatures which will have a negative impact on the local area and most importantly, the children.
4. Impact on Early Childhood Development
Children thrive in calm, safe, and healthy environments. The potential disruptions from this development could affect their wellbeing and the ability of educators to provide high-quality care and learning.
5. Uncertainty Around Access Routes
With multiple access routes still under consideration — including options that may direct trucks near the childcare centre — the full impact on traffic and safety remains unclear.
6. Fire Hazards
The proximity of the warehouse and the materials housed and the certain storage and use of flammable materials (fuel, lithium batteries, etc) is a major cause for concern given the increased risk to the safety of children in the near vicinity.

I respectfully ask that these concerns be carefully considered in the assessment of this proposal. Our community values a safe and nurturing environment for children, and it’s important that future developments reflect and support those values.