PlanningAlerts

16 Comments

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1. The concern I raise in increasing the number of units, thus number of occupants is an increase in the road traffic. There is already considerable congestion and delays at the Pomeroy St x George St North Strathfield intersections, particularly at peak drop off and pick up time to McDonald College and OLA schools at the same corner, and with traffic entering leaving George St for the Victoria Ave public school. As council is well aware George St north of Pomeroy St is a one road in, one road out peninsula. There are no alternative routes out of the peninsula area. Traffic studies that have been conducted are out of date, or concerningly were conducted during school holiday period, providing a false narrative of the actual traffic issues. It is compounded when there is an event at SOP, as the Underwood Rd roundabout cannot cope with the congestion which leads to congestion further down at Pomeroy St and back up to George St and Concord Rd.

2. Residents should also be aware that the Developer of units in Rothwell Ave have applied for a 20% height variation. Not sure of the number of additional units this is, but as Kate Campbell has noted, the traffic is already at capacity at peak times and weekends.

3. I raise concern over this amendment proposal which is to add 1-3 additional storeys across all three buildings. As Council should be aware and can see onsite, the basement has already been completed, with works already started on the above ground storeys with scaffolding in place. Presumably these works were underway based on the previously approved scheme, which had less apartments and storeys.

   The increase in housing density as a need is understandable, but trying to activate extra units when the project is already well underway, raises strong concerns as to whether what is already built can support the weight of the new storeys, and whether it can be confidently signed off as structurally sound and safe.

   Particularly in light of the press articles about Opal Towers, Mascot Towers and with Council taking on the affordable housing units post completion, the onus will be on Council to ensure whether the addition of more units can be safely done if they approve this amendment, so that residents can be safely assured and our council rates are not spent on fixing defects.

   As to traffic concerns raised by other submissions already, this is echoed. I point out that the Traffic Impact Statement refers to the “most recent traffic surveys” completed in 2015, with site visits in October 2019. Thus the data is likely to be outdated, given there is significantly more traffic volume around George/Pomeroy and Underwood Road. The intersection works from the Victoria Avenue Public School DA are also cited as “are yet to be completed”, and with the addition of more density around the area, this will further exacerbate traffic issues given there have been no infrastructure upgrade works completed.

4. This development is too high at present. To add 3 more floors and not increase parking is going to add more street parking on an already congested street. George street is already congested with traffic. There is no other way to get into or out of Concord West to the west of the railway. Please do not allow this to go ahead.

5. I reside in a unit at 23 George St, situated adjacent to the newly developed building currently under construction. Our daily view includes observing the ongoing construction work through our windows. The recent proposal to add 1-3 additional storeys to all three buildings has come as quite a shock. Despite the completion of the basements some time ago, it's perplexing how the development plan could be altered after the foundation work has been completed.

   Initially, our primary concern with the original plan revolved around potential sunlight deprivation. We conducted multiple overshadow simulations, and while the results barely met the minimal requirement, the addition of three extra storeys would cast us in shadow 24/7, 365 days a year. This prospect is deeply troubling to us, and we urge against its implementation.

   Furthermore, the issue of traffic congestion is a significant concern. George Street serves as the sole ingress and egress route, with no alternative exits available. The street is already heavily congested during peak hours and weekends, exacerbated by ongoing construction projects in the vicinity.

6. I raise concerns at the late change to the development proposal adding a considerable number of new units to an already high-density development. I question the structural integrity of the building adding so many more units when the foundation has already been built and laid for a lower number of units.
   The current Pomeroy/George St intersection is currently the only roadway into and out of this section of North Strathfield/Concord West, west of the train line. The stretch north of this intersection is already crowded with existing blocks of apartments. This already suffers from heavy congestion during peak hours and it is not uncommon to have cars backed up George St all the way to number 25. With the addition of 186 new units, plus the new development taking place on Rothwell Avenue, the street traffic and parking will become disastrous and all residents, visitors and business owners in this area will be negatively affected.
   The proximity to the boundary line and height of proposed new floors will completely overshadow the shared facilities and gardens of neighbouring block 23A, with a blocked outlook, common grounds in shadow, and effectively an echo wall affecting quality of life for residents.

7. I'm here to raise my objection to this proposal, the expansion will leads to a complex with scale and density significantly exceeding that of surrounding properties, the
   drastically increased population which will inevitably have adverse effects on the entire surrounding neighborhood.
   The intersection of George St and Pomeroy St will likely face deadlock due to drastically increased traffic with no foreseeable plan to upgrade the infrastructure. George St will be overcrowded with cars parked on the street with insufficient
   parking space from this Project. other concerns including loss of Privacy, Overshadow and Visual Impact to the surrounding buildings / Increased Noise and Pollution / Disruption to Community Harmony and Streetscape / Plus concerns about Building Defects since the developer wants to stack the additional levels on top of the foundation that has been built already.

8. I’d like to lodge my strong objection to DA2024/0064. The developer Urban Property is attempting to add an additional 3 stories to the street-facing building and one extra 1 level to the other 2 buildings. This would result in 41 more units to this already high-density complex.
   The expansion will lead to a complex with scale and density significantly exceeding that of surrounding properties, the drastically increased population which will inevitably have adverse effects on the entire surrounding neighbourhood.
   As George Street is only one way out, the intersection of George St and Pomeroy St will face deadlock due to drastically increased traffic, especially during business hours. It takes 15mins more just try to make out of George Street onto Pomeroy St, no matter you want to turn right, left or go straight, sometime the traffic will line up 600m far, reaches Conway Ave roundabout.
   With No1 King Street business(400 users+ )was rent out and re-open soon and the completion of 80 unit+ on DA2019/0160 at Rothwell Street in finishing, I can only see this gets worse, and it will for all the residents on George Street, experience longer delays out of acceptance with no foreseeable plan to upgrade the infrastructure.
   Also, George St will be overcrowded with cars parked on the street with insufficient parking space from this Project. So please consider the feelings of our community. we need prevent the developer from jeopardise our community and ignore our voice, only targeting to maximize their own profit.

9. I think this is neat 👍 good to see the land near the train station better utilised. Very appropriate to see increased density as metro will be available south of this site eventually.

   The area should already have more density seeing as its sandwiched between 2 stations so this density is long over due

10. I'm a resident of 23A George St. The overshadowing from this project really concerns me. The shadow diagram from Urban property shows that during the days in mid winter, most of the outdoor public area of 23A will be cast in shade by the three massive apartment buildings at 25 George St. This situation isn't good as we need sunlight for outdoor activities especially for our kids and elderly.

11. As a neighbouring resident to this property, I wish to raise my concerns for this application. The impact on street parking and traffic will be noticeable and significant for all residents of this area and would undoubtedly cause disruption. There are event parking restrictions on the street as it is and a growing problem with the build up of vehicles at the Pomeroy St intersection lights in peak hour and school zones.
    The privacy, noise, shadowing and aesthetic concerns compound this and make it additionally inconvenient to and to the detriment of neighbours. Considering the existing inconvenience and hazards being presented and tolerated during the construction works, this feels inappropriate. Please reconsider.

12. I want to raise a strong objection to the proposed Development Plan DA2024/0064 at 25 George St, which is adjacent to 23A George Street, where I currently live.

    The developer's proposal to add five additional levels beyond the originally approved plan is alarming. This significant increase in height raises several issues that deeply concern us as residents and property owners.

    The potential impact on traffic is a major worry. With additional levels, and insufficient parking (less than one space per apartment - 176 car spaces for the proposed 186 total apartments), there will likely be an increase of local residents and visitors, leading to a much higher level of traffic congestion in the area. This could lead to safety hazards and would lead to further inconvenience for residents on George St who are already experiencing high levels of traffic.

    The proposed development threatens to overshadow our building, resulting in a loss of natural light and privacy for the us occupying the residents of 23A George St. We have a large, private courtyard area that is within six metres of the building, and privacy and sunlight are essential aspects of our living environment. We fear that these will be heavily compromised if the development proceeds as planned.

    Furthermore, the increase in height could significantly alter the aesthetic appeal of the area and negatively impact property values for surrounding buildings, including my apartment, and numerous other apartments in the 23A George Street block.

    I'd urge the Canada Bay Council to carefully consider the implications of this development. It is crucial to prioritise the well-being and interests of existing residents and property owners in the community.

13. I am reaching out to convey my reservations and objections regarding the proposed Development Plan DA2024/0064 at 25 George St.

    This proposal, which seeks to extend the building by five additional levels beyond the originally approved plan, raises several significant concerns for my family, who reside at Apartment 23A George Street.

    Our primary concern revolves around the potential impact on traffic flow in the area. The proposed increase in building height, coupled with inadequate parking provisions, could exacerbate traffic congestion, posing safety risks and inconveniences for local residents such as ourselves.

    Additionally, we are deeply troubled by the prospect of the proposed development overshadowing our building, which would result in a diminished quality of life due to reduced natural light and compromised privacy. As long-standing residents, these elements are integral to our residential experience, and we fear that their erosion would significantly detract from our enjoyment of our home.

    Moreover, we are apprehensive about the potential adverse effects on the aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood and the potential depreciation of property values for surrounding buildings, including our own.

    In light of these concerns, we vehemently oppose the proposed Development Plan DA2024/0064 and implore the Canada Bay Council to conduct a thorough evaluation of its implications.

    It is imperative that the well-being and interests of existing residents and property owners be given paramount consideration in any decision-making process.

    We respectfully urge the council to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the proposed development and to take appropriate measures to address the legitimate concerns voiced by members of the community.

14. I am expressing my vehement opposition to the proposed development plan DA2024/0064, which seeks to add an unwarranted five additional storeys to the structures under construction at 25 George Street. This proposal is unacceptable and must be rejected outright for a multitude of pressing reasons.

    1. Unmanageable Traffic Congestion: The proposed addition will only worsen the already dire traffic situation at the George St and Pomeroy St intersection. Relying on outdated traffic studies from 2015 and poorly timed site visits does not justify such a significant change. It is evident that the true current traffic conditions have not been adequately considered.

    2. Grossly Insufficient Parking: Providing merely 176 parking spaces for 186 units is a recipe for chaos. This will inevitably spill over into overcrowded street parking, exacerbating congestion and possibly leading to hazardous situations.

    3. Loss of Privacy and Disruptive Visual Impact: The extra storeys will drastically invade the privacy of existing residents and create a sore thumb in the landscape of our community. Such a towering structure is completely out of place in our predominantly low-rise neighborhood.

    4. Increase in Noise and Pollution: More residents and more cars mean more noise and more air pollution. The higher structure will trap and amplify noise, significantly degrading our living environment.

    5. Destruction of Community Harmony and Streetscape: This development is too large, too dense, and utterly misaligned with the character of our area. It threatens to fundamentally disrupt the harmony and aesthetic of our community.

    6. Serious Building Safety Concerns: There is a genuine fear that adding more floors could compromise the structural integrity of the building. We have seen the disastrous outcomes of such oversight in other developments—risks we cannot afford to repeat here.

    7. Overshadowing and Loss of Sunlight: The taller building will cast long shadows, depriving neighboring homes and gardens of vital sunlight, especially during the winter months.

    This proposal is a clear overreach, likely driven by profit motives without a genuine concern for the impacts on our community. The structural risks and community disruptions it poses are too severe to ignore. We demand that this development be reassessed and ultimately halted to prevent a future blight on our neighborhood and serious risks to its residents.

15. I am writing to vehemently oppose the development proposal for 25 George Street, North Strathfield under DA2024/0064. As a resident directly affected by this development, I find it utterly unacceptable due to the severe negative impacts it will impose on our community.

    Adding three additional storeys is an egregious violation of our privacy and local ambiance. The proximity and height of the new construction will allow residents in the new units to peer directly into our homes and gardens, destroying the privacy that we currently enjoy. This is a direct assault on the quality of life that we have fought hard to maintain in our neighborhood.

    The proposal to reconfigure the basement to add 50 car spaces is a band-aid solution to a much larger problem. This will inevitably lead to a significant increase in noise pollution from construction and post-completion vehicle movements. Our once peaceful neighborhood will be transformed into a hub of unending noise and chaos, completely out of line with the City of Canada Bay's own policies on minimizing noise impacts.

    The traffic implications alone are a nightmare. The influx of vehicles from the added residential units will congest our streets, increasing our daily commute times and significantly lowering road safety. This is particularly alarming for the safety of our children and elderly residents. The fact that this could be approved without considering the substantial increase in traffic and pollution is shocking and irresponsible.

    Moreover, the sheer audacity to block our cherished public views with an additional three storeys is offensive. These views are not just amenities but are essential qualities that define the character and value of our neighborhood. Your proposal to snatch them away is nothing short of robbery.

    I am also appalled at the potential for even worse parking scenarios. With the new additions, finding parking will become a daily struggle, exacerbating stress and reducing the quality of life for all residents.

    This development is not just a plan on paper; it threatens to disrupt and permanently damage the fabric of our community. It is clear that this proposal is grossly misaligned with the City of Canada Bay Development Control Plan's objectives to protect and enhance our community.

    I urge you, in the strongest terms, to reconsider and ultimately reject this destructive proposal. We expect and demand a decision that respects the well-being and preferences of the community residents.

16. I oppose the proposal for additional stories to this development.

    It's not in line with the character of other lower rise apartments in the area.

    Infrastructure and traffic management isn't being addressed appropriately. Cnr Pomeroy and George St is already congested at peak hour.

    Consider future developments in the area:
    25 George St (174 dwellings)
    Rothwell Avenue - Eloura (88 dwellings)
    1 King St - Bilbergia (600+ dwellings)

    With only one entry/exit point for current residents off George St north of Pomeroy St, it spells trouble and alarming that there is no information on how this will be managed.

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