I would like to have affordable housing for future generations and shops are always good.

I am writing to object to the proposed SSD-90134958 at 100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag for two high rise towers. I believe the project should be scaled back to the previously approved (2024) DA-2024/13 for 38 apartments with shops with a maximum height of 3 to 5 storeys that is more in line with current regulations and the surrounding neighborhood.
There are two main reasons I object to this project:
1. There will be irreversible harm done to the adjacent Griffin’s Castlecrag Heritage Conservation Area development. The proposed development sits adjacent and in a location that one could say is the front entrance to the HCA (see map in attached pdf). Allowing a building this size will completely change the aesthetics of the entire area. At 11 stories in height, it will be seen long before entering the HCA and will be clearly visible from inside the HCA – something that goes against the most significant aspect of the HCA development.
2. The developer of 100 Edinburgh Road was fully aware of the height restrictions when purchasing this property for redevelopment – zoning height restrictions should be enforced just as rigorously as property lines on the ground between owners or the public right of way. Zoning laws help stabilize the value of everyone’s property. Allowing this building to break with current zoning will cause an uneven shift in values. Adjacent commercial properties at 99 Eastern Valley Way and 93 Eastern Valley Way (both outside but adjacent to the Griffin HCA) will see an opportunity for redevelopment into an 8-10 storey building. While residential properties in the HCA at addresses like 16 The Postern will find values dropping as concerns that a future 10-storey tower on their eastern property edge will be built and block all sunlight in the morning until noon.
Please see the attached pdf file for more details.
Thank you.
Rich Berry, President, Walter Burley Griffin Society of America

It appears there's been no more than 33 homes built here since 1991 (According to data on profile . id . com .au):
https://profile.id.com.au/willoughby/dwellings?WebID=120&EndYear=1991&DataType=EN

While I am not familiar with the HCA, I would be surprised many people being displaced from sydney from a lack of housing affordability would be either.

I think prioritising "heritage" vibes over avoidablity really just seems like a really bad priority, when a fraction of people in my generation can reasonably entertain the idea of buying a home or apartment in Sydney whilst also paying record high rents, it really just seems like an insane act of callous indifference to disregard how the lack of housing is destabilising people's lives because a few people just like the areas current vibe.

From what I understand, it's designed by the same person who designed Canberra, as if that's supposed to be a desirable property?

Of those who know of it, isn't Canberra universally considered unremarkable? Most foreigners don't even know it exists, so much so many people still mistakenly assume the capital of Australia is Sydney. Given the fact how can anyone say this suburb is renowned worldwide? I don't doubt by a bunch of people specifically interested in dull suburbs (like this) and cities like Canberra. But I didn't even know this place existed until they started complaining about more homes going here.

I don't think the fact these homes are likely to be unaffordable is at odds with the idea of building them improving affordability. I understand it's not immediately obvious, but consider:

1. In order for house prices to stop growing excessively and rent to stop increasing, housing supply needs to out grow population.

2. A person who ends up moving here, would otherwise price someone out of a more affordable home or area.

3. Someone who moves here will vacate another home which will be more affordable than this home which will add competition to more affordable areas, this pattern will be occur recursively to more and more affordable homes.

We absolutely should build these homes, for the sake of building towards a more affordable future for everyone in Sydney! Just like how every vote counts in elections, every piece of new supply counts and everywhere needs to pitch in what they can (including castlecrag), no one and no area is above this obligation to those less fortunate.

My primary objection is the current proposal's excessive height and scale. This property went through an exhaustive approval process over many years. The previous proposal that Willoughby Council approved was well considered and widely accepted in the community. This latest proposal has not followed the correct setback principles, has insufficient green spaces, is excessively high and bulky and conflicts with historic Burley Griffin principles laid out for this heritage suburb. Most people accept that population densities across Sydney need to increase. However, this principle should be well thought through, with traffic management and public transport plans in place. Otherwise, Sydney will follow the path of other cities that have lost their unique charm and character. Were this current proposal to proceed, the eyesore be a very visible reminder to anyone driving past as to the patent failure of good governance provincials for a world class city. Sydney deserves better.

I strongly support building apparments to ease pressure on Sydneys housing affordability. I also support it around public transport. Please continue to build up.

I am writing to object to the current development proposal for 100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag NSW 2068, particularly the proposed height and scale of the two tower buildings.

My primary concern is the significant traffic impact this development will have on the Castlecrag community. Castlecrag already experiences congestion issues, and there is effectively only one main route out of Castlecrag that allows vehicles to turn right onto Eastern Valley Way. The proposed increase in residential density through the construction of two towers will place substantial additional pressure on an already constrained road network. I believe the resulting traffic congestion, delays, and safety concerns will negatively affect the daily lives of local residents.

I am also concerned about the shadowing impacts that two large towers will create. The scale and height of the proposal appear excessive for the surrounding area and will likely reduce sunlight access and adversely affect the character and amenity of the neighbourhood.

In addition, Castlecrag is an architecturally and historically significant suburb shaped by the vision of Walter Burley Griffin. The unique character of the area is one of its greatest strengths, and any new development should respect and complement this heritage. I would strongly support a design approach that is more in keeping with the architectural principles and landscape sensitivity associated with Walter Burley Griffin’s vision for Castlecrag, rather than large-scale tower development that feels out of character with the suburb.

At the same time, I would like to acknowledge that the retail component of the proposal is much needed and welcome. Improved local retail facilities, including the proposed supermarket, would provide a valuable service to the community and enhance convenience for residents.

I therefore urge State Planning to reconsider the scale and height of the residential component of this proposal and pursue an outcome that better reflects the character, heritage, and infrastructure limitations of Castlecrag while still delivering the beneficial retail aspects of the development.

Please find my submission attached.

Regards

Colin McKeith

I am a long term local resident and I object to the current development at 100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag as currently proposed.
This is the first time I have objected to the development of this site - I was supportive of the original Quadrangle being redeveloped and of the DA approved by Council that met the need for increased housing and facilities in a manner that was in keeping with the suburb and its surrounds. This is NOT an issue of NIMBY-ism as has been purported. The scale and impact of this development is obscene, opportunistic, an over-reach and so plainly wrong.
The scale of this proposal is completely out of character with Castlecrag and its surrounding landscape. Two towers of this height and bulk would dominate the ridgeline, permanently altering the visual identity of the suburb and causing irreversible harm to an area known for its low-rise, landscape-led design. Castlecrag was carefully planned to sit within the natural environment, not overpower it, and this proposal is fundamentally inconsistent with that vision.
This development is also poorly located for high-density housing. The site is not close to town centres or transport hubs and is a long distance from the nearest train station. Castlecrag is a car-dependent suburb with constrained road access, and adding development of this scale will inevitably increase traffic congestion, parking pressure and safety risks, while undermining liveability for existing residents.
The proposed development is located at the principal entrance to Castlecrag and at one of only two primary access points to the suburb. Adding development of this scale at such a constrained and essential location creates an unacceptable risk to traffic flow, safety and emergency access. Any congestion or incident at this site will have immediate and serious impacts across the whole suburb, making this an inappropriate and unsustainable location for high density development.
The environmental impacts are deeply concerning. Castlecrag contains significant tree canopy, bushland and wildlife habitat that form part of a fragile ecological corridor. Large-scale construction, increased human activity and loss of vegetation will place lasting strain on this environment, with impacts that cannot simply be mitigated or reversed once the development is built.
The proposal also delivers limited public benefit. While more development is justified on housing grounds, this project is excessive and largely aimed at a high-end market and includes only a small number of affordable dwellings for a limited time. This does not justify the magnitude of change proposed or the damage to heritage, landscape and community values.
I am not opposed to development in principle. A smaller, sensitive redevelopment has previously been supported for this site. However, this proposal is excessive, inappropriate for its location, and risks irreparable harm to Castlecrag’s character, environment and community.
For these reasons, I urge and implore the Department to refuse the proposed development at 100 Edinburgh Road in its current form.

Hi,

I'd like to submit my objection to the towers being proposed at 100 Edinburgh Rd in Castlecrag.

I'm not anti-development and I'd love to see something that is fit for purpose in that location. My objection is primarily based on safety and quailty of life concerns.

The intersection at Edinburgh and Eastern Valley Way is the only access to the suburb of Castlecrag having 150 additional residences taking up that one entry and exit creates a safety concern in the case of emergency and a significant traffic concern on a daily basis. The traffic for the entire population of the towers will be through that one intersection (there isn't plans for direct access to Eastern Valley Way.

The size and scope of the development is significantly out of character for the community and - as there isn't major transport investment made at that intersection - there isn't a greater community interest or investment that would justify a change in community character. If there was a train line running there - I think a tower would be justified, there just isn't.

Thanks.

I support the development of this site but not the Conquest 15 story development. The approved D.A. of 4-5 stories is in keeping with the local are as evidenced by similar height developments in Northbridge. Castlecrag has an established low-density and landscape-integrated character, 15 stories is an abomination that does not fit this suburb.
I understand and support high-density larger development corridors supported by railway transport infrastructure.This doesn’t exist at this site. Bus routes are already at capacity during peak hour and cannot support more people. Traffic will be increased to a level that is not workable. Castlecrag is a peninsular with one main road in and out. The only other egress is a residential road that will become busy and unsafe for local residents. Traffic will be increased to unworkable levels by the increased number of residents and the influx of shoppers to the new development.
The Conquest development guidelines is in some parts spurious and wrong. It claims the 15 story building will sit within the canopy height of mature street trees. At best, the canopy height may only be high enough to encompass the original 4 story development.The local topography places the site at a high point of the local area and on a ridge line and will not suit the landscape.
The building at 15 stories is a mistake and should not be allowed to go ahead.