JENNIE JARICK
Object
JENNIE JARICK
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
---
## Executive Summary
I am writing to formally object to the proposed high-density residential development planned for our historic low-density neighborhood. This development threatens the fundamental character, heritage, and community values that have defined our area for generations. The proposed project would irreversibly damage the intimate scale, architectural integrity, and social fabric that makes our neighborhood a cherished place to raise families and maintain meaningful community connections.
Our neighborhood represents more than mere housing – it embodies a way of life that prioritizes human-scale development, historical preservation, and the cultivation of deep community bonds. The proposed high-density development would fundamentally alter this delicate balance, transforming our tree-lined streets into urban corridors and replacing our close-knit community atmosphere with the anonymity typical of high-density living environments.
## Historic Preservation and Architectural Integrity
### Irreplaceable Heritage Assets
Our neighborhood contains numerous buildings of significant historical and architectural value, many dating back over a century. These structures represent irreplaceable examples of period architecture that tell the story of our community's evolution and contribute to its unique identity. The proposed development, with its modern high-density design, would create jarring visual conflicts with these heritage buildings, diminishing their historical context and reducing their cultural significance.
The historic buildings in our area were designed and constructed during an era when craftsmanship and attention to detail were paramount. Hand-carved woodwork, original brick facades, decorative stonework, and period-appropriate windows and doors create an architectural tapestry that cannot be replicated with modern construction methods. These buildings serve as living museums, educating current and future generations about construction techniques, design philosophies, and social conditions of earlier eras.
### Scale and Proportion Harmony
The existing low-density character of our neighborhood creates a harmonious relationship between buildings, lots, and streetscapes that has evolved organically over decades. Single-family homes, duplexes, and small apartment buildings create varied rooflines and building heights that contribute to visual interest while maintaining human scale. The proposed high-density development would introduce building masses and heights that overwhelm this carefully balanced composition, creating shadow effects, blocking natural light, and fundamentally altering the neighborhood's visual character.
The current building scale allows for adequate spacing between structures, providing privacy for residents, space for mature landscaping, and visual breathing room that contributes to the area's peaceful atmosphere. High-density development typically requires minimal setbacks and maximized building coverage, eliminating the generous spacing that currently defines our neighborhood character.
## Impact on Family Values and Community Life
### Nurturing Environment for Children
Our low-density neighborhood provides an ideal environment for raising children, with quiet streets suitable for bicycle riding, sidewalks perfect for learning to walk and play, and front yards where children can safely play under parental supervision. The current scale and design of our neighborhood encourage outdoor family activities, neighborhood friendships among children, and the kind of informal supervision that occurs when adults can easily observe and interact with children playing throughout the area.
High-density development typically brings increased traffic, reduced green space, and fewer opportunities for children to play safely outdoors. The proposed development would introduce significantly more vehicles to our quiet streets, creating safety hazards for children and reducing the peaceful atmosphere that makes outdoor family time enjoyable and stress-free.
### Multi-Generational Community Connections
Our neighborhood's low-density character facilitates the kind of inter-generational relationships that strengthen community bonds and provide valuable social support networks. Elderly residents often develop meaningful relationships with young families, providing informal childcare assistance, sharing gardening knowledge, and contributing to the sense of extended community family that characterizes our area.
The current housing stock, with its variety of sizes and price points, allows families to remain in the neighborhood as their needs change over time. Young couples can start in smaller homes and later move to larger properties within the same area, maintaining community connections while accommodating growing families. Elderly residents can downsize to smaller units while remaining close to established social networks and familiar surroundings.
High-density development often attracts more transient residents who lack the same investment in long-term community building. The anonymous nature of large apartment complexes can reduce the informal social interactions that currently strengthen our neighborhood's social fabric.
### Support for Local Institutions
Our neighborhood's stable, family-oriented population provides crucial support for local institutions including schools, religious organizations, and community groups. Long-term residents develop deep commitments to these institutions, volunteering their time, contributing financially, and ensuring continuity of programs and services that benefit the entire community.
The proposed high-density development could introduce population instability that undermines these community institutions. High-density housing often attracts more transient residents who may be less likely to invest in local schools, participate in community organizations, or contribute to the volunteer activities that sustain neighborhood institutions.
## Preservation of Leafy Green Streets and Natural Environment
### Mature Tree Canopy Protection
Our neighborhood's mature tree canopy represents decades of growth and careful cultivation, providing environmental benefits including air purification, temperature moderation, stormwater management, and habitat for local wildlife. These established trees create the leafy green corridors that define our streets and contribute significantly to property values, air quality, and overall quality of life.
The proposed high-density development poses direct threats to this mature tree canopy through construction activities, changed drainage patterns, soil compaction, and the need to accommodate larger buildings and increased parking. Many of our oldest and most magnificent trees could be damaged or destroyed, representing an irreplaceable loss of environmental resources that took decades to develop.
### Urban Heat Island Mitigation
The current low-density development pattern, combined with extensive tree coverage and green spaces, helps mitigate urban heat island effects that are increasingly problematic in many metropolitan areas. Our neighborhood's design allows for natural air circulation, provides shade through mature trees, and maintains green surfaces that absorb rather than reflect heat.
High-density development typically involves removing vegetation, increasing impervious surfaces, and creating building configurations that trap heat and reduce air circulation. This transformation would make our neighborhood significantly less comfortable during warm weather and could increase energy costs for all residents as air conditioning demands increase.
### Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat
Our neighborhood's green character supports local biodiversity by providing habitat corridors for birds, small mammals, and beneficial insects. Mature trees, established gardens, and green spaces create an interconnected ecosystem that supports species diversity and provides educational opportunities for children to observe and learn about local wildlife.
The proposed development would fragment these habitat areas, reduce biodiversity, and eliminate many of the nature-based learning opportunities that currently enrich children's experiences in our neighborhood. The loss of green space and wildlife habitat would diminish one of the key features that makes our area special and educationally valuable for families.
## Impact on Seasonal Celebrations and Community Traditions
### Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Traditions
Our neighborhood's low-density character creates ideal conditions for the elaborate Christmas light displays that have become a beloved community tradition. Single-family homes with front yards, mature trees, and generous setbacks provide perfect canvases for creative holiday decorations that bring joy to residents and attract visitors from throughout the region.
These holiday traditions serve multiple important functions in our community. They encourage homeowner investment in property improvement and maintenance, create opportunities for neighbors to collaborate on displays, provide safe family entertainment during the holiday season, and generate positive economic impact as visitors come to enjoy our neighborhood's festive atmosphere.
The current housing stock, with its variety of architectural styles and generous lot sizes, allows for diverse and creative holiday expressions. Front porches can be decorated with lights and garlands, mature trees can support elaborate lighting displays, and spacious yards provide room for lawn decorations and themed displays that would be impossible in high-dens
## Executive Summary
I am writing to formally object to the proposed high-density residential development planned for our historic low-density neighborhood. This development threatens the fundamental character, heritage, and community values that have defined our area for generations. The proposed project would irreversibly damage the intimate scale, architectural integrity, and social fabric that makes our neighborhood a cherished place to raise families and maintain meaningful community connections.
Our neighborhood represents more than mere housing – it embodies a way of life that prioritizes human-scale development, historical preservation, and the cultivation of deep community bonds. The proposed high-density development would fundamentally alter this delicate balance, transforming our tree-lined streets into urban corridors and replacing our close-knit community atmosphere with the anonymity typical of high-density living environments.
## Historic Preservation and Architectural Integrity
### Irreplaceable Heritage Assets
Our neighborhood contains numerous buildings of significant historical and architectural value, many dating back over a century. These structures represent irreplaceable examples of period architecture that tell the story of our community's evolution and contribute to its unique identity. The proposed development, with its modern high-density design, would create jarring visual conflicts with these heritage buildings, diminishing their historical context and reducing their cultural significance.
The historic buildings in our area were designed and constructed during an era when craftsmanship and attention to detail were paramount. Hand-carved woodwork, original brick facades, decorative stonework, and period-appropriate windows and doors create an architectural tapestry that cannot be replicated with modern construction methods. These buildings serve as living museums, educating current and future generations about construction techniques, design philosophies, and social conditions of earlier eras.
### Scale and Proportion Harmony
The existing low-density character of our neighborhood creates a harmonious relationship between buildings, lots, and streetscapes that has evolved organically over decades. Single-family homes, duplexes, and small apartment buildings create varied rooflines and building heights that contribute to visual interest while maintaining human scale. The proposed high-density development would introduce building masses and heights that overwhelm this carefully balanced composition, creating shadow effects, blocking natural light, and fundamentally altering the neighborhood's visual character.
The current building scale allows for adequate spacing between structures, providing privacy for residents, space for mature landscaping, and visual breathing room that contributes to the area's peaceful atmosphere. High-density development typically requires minimal setbacks and maximized building coverage, eliminating the generous spacing that currently defines our neighborhood character.
## Impact on Family Values and Community Life
### Nurturing Environment for Children
Our low-density neighborhood provides an ideal environment for raising children, with quiet streets suitable for bicycle riding, sidewalks perfect for learning to walk and play, and front yards where children can safely play under parental supervision. The current scale and design of our neighborhood encourage outdoor family activities, neighborhood friendships among children, and the kind of informal supervision that occurs when adults can easily observe and interact with children playing throughout the area.
High-density development typically brings increased traffic, reduced green space, and fewer opportunities for children to play safely outdoors. The proposed development would introduce significantly more vehicles to our quiet streets, creating safety hazards for children and reducing the peaceful atmosphere that makes outdoor family time enjoyable and stress-free.
### Multi-Generational Community Connections
Our neighborhood's low-density character facilitates the kind of inter-generational relationships that strengthen community bonds and provide valuable social support networks. Elderly residents often develop meaningful relationships with young families, providing informal childcare assistance, sharing gardening knowledge, and contributing to the sense of extended community family that characterizes our area.
The current housing stock, with its variety of sizes and price points, allows families to remain in the neighborhood as their needs change over time. Young couples can start in smaller homes and later move to larger properties within the same area, maintaining community connections while accommodating growing families. Elderly residents can downsize to smaller units while remaining close to established social networks and familiar surroundings.
High-density development often attracts more transient residents who lack the same investment in long-term community building. The anonymous nature of large apartment complexes can reduce the informal social interactions that currently strengthen our neighborhood's social fabric.
### Support for Local Institutions
Our neighborhood's stable, family-oriented population provides crucial support for local institutions including schools, religious organizations, and community groups. Long-term residents develop deep commitments to these institutions, volunteering their time, contributing financially, and ensuring continuity of programs and services that benefit the entire community.
The proposed high-density development could introduce population instability that undermines these community institutions. High-density housing often attracts more transient residents who may be less likely to invest in local schools, participate in community organizations, or contribute to the volunteer activities that sustain neighborhood institutions.
## Preservation of Leafy Green Streets and Natural Environment
### Mature Tree Canopy Protection
Our neighborhood's mature tree canopy represents decades of growth and careful cultivation, providing environmental benefits including air purification, temperature moderation, stormwater management, and habitat for local wildlife. These established trees create the leafy green corridors that define our streets and contribute significantly to property values, air quality, and overall quality of life.
The proposed high-density development poses direct threats to this mature tree canopy through construction activities, changed drainage patterns, soil compaction, and the need to accommodate larger buildings and increased parking. Many of our oldest and most magnificent trees could be damaged or destroyed, representing an irreplaceable loss of environmental resources that took decades to develop.
### Urban Heat Island Mitigation
The current low-density development pattern, combined with extensive tree coverage and green spaces, helps mitigate urban heat island effects that are increasingly problematic in many metropolitan areas. Our neighborhood's design allows for natural air circulation, provides shade through mature trees, and maintains green surfaces that absorb rather than reflect heat.
High-density development typically involves removing vegetation, increasing impervious surfaces, and creating building configurations that trap heat and reduce air circulation. This transformation would make our neighborhood significantly less comfortable during warm weather and could increase energy costs for all residents as air conditioning demands increase.
### Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat
Our neighborhood's green character supports local biodiversity by providing habitat corridors for birds, small mammals, and beneficial insects. Mature trees, established gardens, and green spaces create an interconnected ecosystem that supports species diversity and provides educational opportunities for children to observe and learn about local wildlife.
The proposed development would fragment these habitat areas, reduce biodiversity, and eliminate many of the nature-based learning opportunities that currently enrich children's experiences in our neighborhood. The loss of green space and wildlife habitat would diminish one of the key features that makes our area special and educationally valuable for families.
## Impact on Seasonal Celebrations and Community Traditions
### Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Traditions
Our neighborhood's low-density character creates ideal conditions for the elaborate Christmas light displays that have become a beloved community tradition. Single-family homes with front yards, mature trees, and generous setbacks provide perfect canvases for creative holiday decorations that bring joy to residents and attract visitors from throughout the region.
These holiday traditions serve multiple important functions in our community. They encourage homeowner investment in property improvement and maintenance, create opportunities for neighbors to collaborate on displays, provide safe family entertainment during the holiday season, and generate positive economic impact as visitors come to enjoy our neighborhood's festive atmosphere.
The current housing stock, with its variety of architectural styles and generous lot sizes, allows for diverse and creative holiday expressions. Front porches can be decorated with lights and garlands, mature trees can support elaborate lighting displays, and spacious yards provide room for lawn decorations and themed displays that would be impossible in high-dens
Sydney Water
Comment
Sydney Water
Comment
PARRAMATTA
,
New South Wales
Message
Thank you for notifying Sydney Water of SSD-81890707 at 10-14 and 14a Stanhope Road, Killara (Killara TOD). Please see attached response, Growth Data form and information sheet for the applicant.
If this response raises any enquiries, please contact Sydney Water at [email protected].
If this response raises any enquiries, please contact Sydney Water at [email protected].
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
This proposal has caused a great deal of stress and anxiety for my family. What was meant to be a peaceful transition into a new home on a quiet, leafy street has now turned into weeks of worry and sleepless nights since we found out about the proposal. Stanhope Road is a beautiful, character-filled street and developments like this threaten to permanently change the nature of the area.
We are extremely concerned about the overshadowing and the loss of privacy that this development would bring. The proposal’s excessive height and scale would impose directly on neighbouring properties, blocking light and overlooking private open spaces. That kind of intrusion is simply unacceptable, especially in a residential area like this.
Living here was meant to provide our family ,including elderly relatives with a sense of calm and comfort. This development undermines that entirely.
Surely someone with common sense and genuine regard for community interest would not approve such a plan.
We are extremely concerned about the overshadowing and the loss of privacy that this development would bring. The proposal’s excessive height and scale would impose directly on neighbouring properties, blocking light and overlooking private open spaces. That kind of intrusion is simply unacceptable, especially in a residential area like this.
Living here was meant to provide our family ,including elderly relatives with a sense of calm and comfort. This development undermines that entirely.
Surely someone with common sense and genuine regard for community interest would not approve such a plan.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
NORTH SYDNEY
,
New South Wales
Message
Hello,
I am writing to object to SSD-81890707, as I have concerns relating to its ecological and heritage impacts.
Firstly, the proposed development will result in the removal or disturbance of significant vegetation, including Blue Gum High Forest and Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest — both of which are classified as endangered and contains biodiversity significance. These native species are ecologically critical, not only for their rarity but for the habitat they provide to local fauna. The survival of these trees through excavation and construction is highly unlikely. Deep excavation for basement levels and site regrading typically results in root loss, soil compaction, and changes to hydrology — all of which are incompatible with the long-term survival of mature native canopy trees. Losing these trees would be a permanent damage to local biodiversity and contradicts the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
Secondly, I wish to highlight the heritage value of No. 14 Stanhope Road. While the property has undergone some rear alterations, its street-facing façade remains largely intact and consistent with its original early 20th-century architectural form. Many of the key features — including the roofline, materials, and decorative details — appear period-correct and contribute to the character of Stanhope Road as a whole. As such, the building has representative value as a surviving example of its era and context, and should not be dismissed merely because of non-visible changes at the rear.
In light of these concerns, I consider that it is inappropriate for the state to approve such development at the cost of heritage and ecological damage.
Resident in north shore.
I am writing to object to SSD-81890707, as I have concerns relating to its ecological and heritage impacts.
Firstly, the proposed development will result in the removal or disturbance of significant vegetation, including Blue Gum High Forest and Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest — both of which are classified as endangered and contains biodiversity significance. These native species are ecologically critical, not only for their rarity but for the habitat they provide to local fauna. The survival of these trees through excavation and construction is highly unlikely. Deep excavation for basement levels and site regrading typically results in root loss, soil compaction, and changes to hydrology — all of which are incompatible with the long-term survival of mature native canopy trees. Losing these trees would be a permanent damage to local biodiversity and contradicts the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
Secondly, I wish to highlight the heritage value of No. 14 Stanhope Road. While the property has undergone some rear alterations, its street-facing façade remains largely intact and consistent with its original early 20th-century architectural form. Many of the key features — including the roofline, materials, and decorative details — appear period-correct and contribute to the character of Stanhope Road as a whole. As such, the building has representative value as a surviving example of its era and context, and should not be dismissed merely because of non-visible changes at the rear.
In light of these concerns, I consider that it is inappropriate for the state to approve such development at the cost of heritage and ecological damage.
Resident in north shore.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
I am over 90 years old and although I now live in a nursing home, Stanhope Road is still very special to me. I’ve always loved the leafy, peaceful nature of the street, it has a character that’s hard to find these days. I often visit and still enjoy gardening there as part of my daily exercise. It keeps me active and connected to the place I’ve called home for many years.
The idea of such a large construction project on this quiet street is deeply upsetting. The noise, dust, and disruption will make it difficult for me to continue gardening when I visit. More importantly, I fear that the peaceful charm of the area will be permanently lost.
Please consider the impact this development will have on elderly residents like me, and on the quiet, natural beauty of Stanhope Road that so many of us value.
The idea of such a large construction project on this quiet street is deeply upsetting. The noise, dust, and disruption will make it difficult for me to continue gardening when I visit. More importantly, I fear that the peaceful charm of the area will be permanently lost.
Please consider the impact this development will have on elderly residents like me, and on the quiet, natural beauty of Stanhope Road that so many of us value.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
KILLARA
,
New South Wales
Message
I am an elderly resident, and my family plans to care for me in our home at Stanhope Road so I can enjoy a peaceful retirement surrounded by nature and the familiar character of our neighbourhood. However, this proposed development has caused me great distress.
The scale, noise, and disruption from such a large project would take away the quiet enjoyment of my home in my later years. The street has always been a calm and beautiful place, with heritage homes and trees that make it special. And I worry that will be lost.
This is not just about a building — it is about protecting the quality of life for people like me who have called this place home. I ask that you please consider the human impact of this development and reject the application in its current form.
The scale, noise, and disruption from such a large project would take away the quiet enjoyment of my home in my later years. The street has always been a calm and beautiful place, with heritage homes and trees that make it special. And I worry that will be lost.
This is not just about a building — it is about protecting the quality of life for people like me who have called this place home. I ask that you please consider the human impact of this development and reject the application in its current form.
Mrs M Hau
Object
Mrs M Hau
Object
Sydney
,
New South Wales
Message
I forgot to attach my submission a few seconds ago.
I hope I get it right now.
I hope I get it right now.
Attachments
Mrs M Hau
Object
Mrs M Hau
Object
Sydney
,
New South Wales
Message
Please see attached.
Xinyu Li
Object
Xinyu Li
Object
CASTLE HILL
,
New South Wales
Message
Hi council,
I am writing to you today not just as a resident, but as a deeply concerned long-standing member of the family who calls 12 Stanhope Road, Killara, home. It is with considerable alarm and outright dismay that we object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed 10-storey apartment development in such close proximity to my relatives property.
This isn't just a house; it's a heritage building, a significant part of Killara's historical fabric. Its architectural integrity and historical value are undeniable. To allow a towering, modern apartment block to overshadow a property of such cultural significance is not only architecturally incongruous but also a gross dereliction of the Council's duty to preserve our local heritage. Such a development would irrevocably diminish the character and setting of a building that should be protected, not dwarfed into insignificance.
Furthermore, let's talk about privacy – or the complete lack thereof that this development would inflict upon us. Our home, like many in Killara, was designed with a certain expectation of space and seclusion. We have a private backyard, complete with a tennis court and swimming pool – amenities that are fundamental to our family's enjoyment of our home and our quality of life. The notion of a 10-storey apartment building peering directly into our private recreational spaces is utterly unacceptable. It's an egregious invasion of privacy that would render our backyard unusable and transform our cherished home into a fishbowl for hundreds of new residents. This is not just an inconvenience; it is a profound infringement on our right to enjoy our own property in peace.
Finally, and perhaps most immediately impactful for the entire neighborhood, are the traffic concerns. Stanhope Road is, to put it mildly, a narrow street. It was never designed to accommodate the sheer volume of vehicles that a 10-storey apartment complex housing a staggering 192 car spaces would generate. The idea of nearly 200 additional cars trying to navigate our already constrained local roads is frankly terrifying. We foresee immediate and severe traffic congestion, increased noise pollution, significant safety risks for pedestrians and cyclists, and a drastic reduction in the quality of life for every single resident on Stanhope Road and surrounding streets. The existing infrastructure simply cannot cope, and the thought of perpetual gridlock in our quiet, residential area is an absolute nightmare.
In conclusion, this proposed development poses an unacceptable threat to our heritage, our privacy, and the fundamental liveability of our community. We urge you, to consider the profound and negative ramifications of this project and to reject the development application. Please prioritize the preservation of Killara's unique character and the well-being of its long-standing residents over the interests of developers.
Thank you for your time and serious consideration of these critical issues.
Sincerely,
I am writing to you today not just as a resident, but as a deeply concerned long-standing member of the family who calls 12 Stanhope Road, Killara, home. It is with considerable alarm and outright dismay that we object in the strongest possible terms to the proposed 10-storey apartment development in such close proximity to my relatives property.
This isn't just a house; it's a heritage building, a significant part of Killara's historical fabric. Its architectural integrity and historical value are undeniable. To allow a towering, modern apartment block to overshadow a property of such cultural significance is not only architecturally incongruous but also a gross dereliction of the Council's duty to preserve our local heritage. Such a development would irrevocably diminish the character and setting of a building that should be protected, not dwarfed into insignificance.
Furthermore, let's talk about privacy – or the complete lack thereof that this development would inflict upon us. Our home, like many in Killara, was designed with a certain expectation of space and seclusion. We have a private backyard, complete with a tennis court and swimming pool – amenities that are fundamental to our family's enjoyment of our home and our quality of life. The notion of a 10-storey apartment building peering directly into our private recreational spaces is utterly unacceptable. It's an egregious invasion of privacy that would render our backyard unusable and transform our cherished home into a fishbowl for hundreds of new residents. This is not just an inconvenience; it is a profound infringement on our right to enjoy our own property in peace.
Finally, and perhaps most immediately impactful for the entire neighborhood, are the traffic concerns. Stanhope Road is, to put it mildly, a narrow street. It was never designed to accommodate the sheer volume of vehicles that a 10-storey apartment complex housing a staggering 192 car spaces would generate. The idea of nearly 200 additional cars trying to navigate our already constrained local roads is frankly terrifying. We foresee immediate and severe traffic congestion, increased noise pollution, significant safety risks for pedestrians and cyclists, and a drastic reduction in the quality of life for every single resident on Stanhope Road and surrounding streets. The existing infrastructure simply cannot cope, and the thought of perpetual gridlock in our quiet, residential area is an absolute nightmare.
In conclusion, this proposed development poses an unacceptable threat to our heritage, our privacy, and the fundamental liveability of our community. We urge you, to consider the profound and negative ramifications of this project and to reject the development application. Please prioritize the preservation of Killara's unique character and the well-being of its long-standing residents over the interests of developers.
Thank you for your time and serious consideration of these critical issues.
Sincerely,