The Government’s aim was to develop low/medium-rise buildings around transport hubs. A medium rise building is generally categorised by the NSW government as a 3-6 story building which this development exceeds and is therefore a high-rise development which is completely incompatible with the locality and hence, is not in the public interest. The mass and scale of this development is totally out of proportion to the street and suburb in general. Additionally, council would need to improve connections in the area as this development adding an extra 140+ homes which, in addition to other apartment blocks that have been built will significantly harm pedestrian, vehicular, and cyclist traffic.

Additionally, this set of buildings has been designed in poor taste in alignment with local heritage and environment. This site presents unique opportunities in its set back and lower topography near the rear of the site that could result in beautifully designed homes that integrate more seamlessly with nature and respect the site that could greater benefit the whole community.

 Finally, there are critically endangered Sydney Blue Gum trees on the site, which are at risk if the development proceeds.

Submission from Concerned Long Time Resident – Objection to Proposed Development on Stanhope Road, Killara
I am writing to formally object to the proposed development on Stanhope Road, Killara, due to its significant and unacceptable breaches of planning controls and its detrimental impact on the surrounding community and infrastructure. My concerns are outlined below
1. Breach of Height Restrictions and Incompatibility with Zoning Objectives
The proposed development exceeds the allowable height for the R2 Low Rise Residential Zoning by nearly four times and also surpasses the maximum height permitted under the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Housing SEPP program by over 22%. These are not minor variances—they represent a fundamental disregard for the planning instruments designed to protect the character and liveability of residential areas.
The Government’s stated objective for TOD Housing SEPP is to encourage low to medium-rise developments around transport hubs, not high-density towers. A 10-storey building in this location is completely inconsistent with both the letter and intent of these guidelines. It would establish a dangerous precedent for future non-compliant developments and is clearly not in the public interest.
2. Overburdening of Local Infrastructure
The introduction of a high-rise development of this scale into a low-density residential area places unacceptable pressure on existing community infrastructure. Local schools are already operating at or near capacity. An influx of new residents from a high-density building would likely overwhelm enrolment capacities, leading to larger class sizes and reduced educational quality.
Similarly, local healthcare services—including general practitioners, specialists, and emergency services—are not equipped to absorb the increased demand that would result from such a development. There is no evidence that any additional support for public health services is planned to accompany this proposal.
Traffic congestion and parking shortages in the area are also of serious concern. Stanhope Road and its surrounding streets are already narrow and heavily used. An increase in population density of this magnitude would lead to significant traffic disruptions, pose risks to pedestrian safety, and exacerbate existing parking shortages, particularly around heritage homes and local amenities.
3. Damage to Community Character and Heritage Values
Stanhope Road is one of Killara’s most significant heritage precincts, with numerous homes of historic value located at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 17 and 18 Stanhope Road. The proposed development fails to appropriately consider these heritage assets and would significantly undermine the established character of the neighbourhood. The height, bulk, and modern form of the proposed building are completely at odds with the architectural context and heritage values of the area.
4. Visual Impact, Overshadowing, and Amenity Loss
More than 50 nearby homes would suffer from severe visual intrusion, overshadowing, and loss of privacy and amenity. The towering structure would dominate the skyline, block natural sunlight, and negatively affect the day-to-day quality of life for long-term residents who chose to live in a low-density, heritage-rich environment.
5. Inadequate Community Engagement and Transparency
Community consultation for this project was gravely deficient. Many residents were not informed of the proposal until well after its lodgement on 9th May, and the “drop-in” session held by the developer on 3rd April was poorly attended due to inadequate notification. This violates the principles of fair and transparent community engagement and has prevented residents from having a meaningful opportunity to review, understand, and respond to the proposal.
6. Flawed and Incomplete Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
The EIS submitted by the developer contains numerous inconsistencies and omissions. Key information regarding the true scale of the development and the level of affordable housing proposed is unclear or missing. This lack of transparency makes it impossible for the community to properly assess the impacts of the project.
In summary - given the substantial breaches of planning controls, the strain on community infrastructure, the irreversible impact on heritage and amenity, and the failure of the community engagement process, this proposal must be rejected in its current form. The developer should be required to withdraw the current application, as this building is not suitable on Stanhope Road
Sincerely,
Stuart Mears

The height of the proposed buildings is excessive given the surrounding suburban environment and will impact severely on the ambience of the neighbourhood. in addition, there will be a significant loss of privacy and the shadows cast by these proposed blocks of units will affect the long established plant life. Stanhope Road is already an extremely busy road where parking is a premium which makes the strain that this extra traffic will effect untenable.

I have been a resident at 10 Marian Street Killara since 2009 and I strongly object to high rise buildings of 10 or 11 storeys being built in Stanhope Road very close to the boundary of 10 Marian Street apartments. Our privacy will be impacted which is totally unacceptable. The stormwater discharge proposal through 10 Marian Street is unacceptable. There is high risk the row of Leylandii trees which form a screening hedge will suffer root damage during construction, again privacy will be lost. There is no town centre in Killara so the impact of traffic on local roads would be enormous. Allowing 195 car spaces so close to the station defeats the purpose of building high rise near Killara station.

I have lived in this local area for 30 years and I find that the proposal would significantly change the usability and livability of this area in ways that do not increase wellbeing, nor appropriately or effectively address the reasons behind why more housing is needed in Sydney. It sets a precedent and as such requires appropriate scrutiny and consideration.

I am generally supportive of development of new housing in Ku-ring-gai and Ku-ring-gai Council’s alternative Preferred Scenario plan for TOD, but not what is proposed for this location.

Other apartment buildings in Killara are a maximum of 5 storeys, so will have a massive visual impact on the skyline for the whole suburb and surrounds. Solar access to existing homes (12, 8, 6A) will be severely compromised.

There are 9 Heritage Listed Homes in the street and the street is in a heritage conservation area. This means something to residents in these areas of the north shore. It is worth retaining as whole areas of heritage are at risk of being demolished across Sydney.

On the site there is a Blue Gum High Forest and Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest - both of which are on the NSW Threatened Entity Profiles as of May 2025 (ie they are critically endangered). The Heritage Impact Statement provides for “all trees to be removed." IMHO this is completely outrageous.

I am concerned about the impact on local amenities and the congestion throughout this area as a whole. You cannot simply consider one development on its own. The whole area is under considerable population and amenity pressure, including on schools, transport and commercial premise.

In addition, it undermines the Court-mediated Agreement that Council and the NSW Government entered into; and it undermines the extensive community engagement process that we participated in.
Thank you.

The proposed plan is totally inappropriate for the sight because of the size of the development.
It will have a disastrous effect on storm water which is likely to impact on my building.
The hight of the building has been incorrectly designed
The plan to increase density of dwellings between the Highway and the railway will lead to a significant increase in traffic on the Highway Archbold Rd and Fiddenswarf Rd
Killara is a residential suburb with no shopping facilities ,cafes, libraries therefore more cars on the roads to access these facilities.
I have lived at my present address for 16 years and for over 50 years in Killara I believe the plan to put anything more than 5 stories in this area is a rapacious pursuit of housing density without due diligence
A required percentage of green space should be required of developers in order to protect the environment
I hope the NSW Government will look favourably on this submission

Thank you for considering my comments and my objection.

I have lived in this local area for 30 years and I find that the proposal would significantly change the usability and livability of this area in ways that do not increase wellbeing, nor appropriately or effectively address the reasons behind why more housing is needed in Sydney. It sets a precedent and as such requires appropriate scrutiny and consideration.

I am generally supportive of development of new housing in Ku-ring-gai and Ku-ring-gai Council’s alternative plan for TOD, but not what is proposed for this location.

Other apartment buildings in Killara are a maximum of 5 storeys, so will have a massive visual impact on the skyline for the whole suburb and surrounds.
Solar access to existing homes (12, 8, 6A) will be severely compromised.

On the site there is a Blue Gum High Forest and Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest - both of which are on the NSW Threatened Entity Profiles as of May 2025 (ie they are critically endangered). The Heritage Impact Statement provides for “all trees to be removed." This is completely outrageous.

There are 9 Heritage Listed Homes in the street and the street is in a heritage conservation area. This means something to residents in these areas of the north shore. It is worth retaining as whole areas of heritage are at risk of being demolished across Sydney.

I am concerned about the impact on local amenities and the congestion throughout this area as a whole. You cannot simply consider one development on its own. The whole area is under considerable population and amenity pressure, including on schools, transport and commercial premise.

In addition, it undermines the Court-mediated Agreement that Council and the NSW Government entered into; and it undermines the extensive community engagement process that we participated in.
Thank you.

Stanhope road is a road with countless federation and heritage listed houses. This proposal impedes on natural sunlight to surrounding areas for many properties and will destroy the nature of the road . Despite now living outside of this area, I have spent everyday besides the last year in that area and it ruins the communal aspect.

To Whom It May Concern

Re: State Significant Development SSD-81890707 residential flat buildings with infill affordable housing -10, 14 and 14a Stanhope Road, Killara
My name is Paul Hitchcock and I live the Ku-ring-gai area . I am writing to lodge a formal objection to the above-mentioned State Significant Development (SSD) proposal.

1. Inappropriate Height and Density
The proposed development—comprising 135 apartments, ten storey buildings—is entirely out of character with the Killara area, which is predominantly made up of single and double-storey dwellings, with some low-rise apartments. The scale and bulk of this proposal is grossly inconsistent with the established neighbourhood. 10 storeys is ridiculously high, simply doesn’t fit with the suburb and will stick out as an ugly tower for decades to come.
Not only would this height result in significant overshadowing of nearby homes, but it would also severely compromise the privacy of existing residents, with apartment windows overlooking private backyards. This level of intrusion is unacceptable and unnecessary.

2. Undermining of Council’s Strategic Plan
I acknowledge the urgent need for increased housing in Sydney and am not opposed to well-considered development. However, the current proposal is not in line with thoughtful urban planning. Low rise would be more appropriate and in areas council deem acceptable, this one is not.
Ku-ring-gai Council has developed a carefully balanced housing strategy which, once endorsed by the State Government, will meet—and indeed exceed—the housing targets for this area. That plan was developed through extensive community consultation and reflects local character, infrastructure capacity, and heritage considerations.
Allowing an ad hoc, oversized , 10 level development such as this to proceed in parallel with the council’s more sustainable approach undermines good planning practice. Once the council’s scenario is adopted, this SSD should no longer be considered viable.

3. Lack of Community Engagement
There has been little, if any meaningful consultation with local residents. The Developers have seen a profit opportunity and are hastily submitting oversize apartment blocks to attempt to capitalise on this opportunity until the Kuringai council preferred scenario is adopted.
Neither I, nor my neighbours have received any information, flyers, invitations to community meetings, or surveys regarding this development. This lack of transparency is deeply concerning and suggests an attempt to avoid public scrutiny and bypass local planning controls.

4. Traffic and Parking Concerns
Killara, Lindfield and Roseville areas are already under significant traffic pressure, particularly during peak school and commuting hours. In Stanhope street, there will be additional cars that this oversize apartment block will bring into the area. Many residents will also have to park on the streets as well with many residents unlikely to rely solely on public transport. The resulting congestion on surrounding roads will further degrade the quality of life in Killara and place undue strain on existing infrastructure.

5. Destruction of Established Trees
The planned removal of many mature trees and vegetation is unacceptable. These trees have taken decades to grow and provide critical environmental, aesthetic, and community value. Their destruction for the sake of high-density development is not justifiable—especially when alternative, lower-impact housing options exist within the council’s preferred scenario.
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In summary, this development proposal is poorly suited to the character of Killara and disregards the well-considered planning framework being put forward by Ku-ring-gai Council. I urge the NSW Government to reject this SSD and support a more integrated and community-backed approach to housing growth.
Thank you for considering my submission.

Paul Hitchcock