9A Myall Road, Garden Suburb NSW 2289

Please review and adjust this application on the following grounds:

1. It could have a great affect on the threatened Powerful Owl.
In the documentation it states that 6 of the thirteen large nesting trees will be removed for this subdivision. I believe this is too many. Even though there was no sign of nesting it does not mean there are none around and as they can travel does not mean they aren't there or they won’t be back.
Can we please reduce the number of lost trees to 3 or less with a large buffer around them.
These birds are a beautiful bird of great significance and it would be a huge loss not to try and protect the small parcels of habitat left.

2. I have concerns over the number of houses planned in the 3 Super lot parcels of high density living. This would show that we have learnt nothing from past experiences of grouping large amounts of high density housing together. Can this be revised to low density so as maintain the existing ambience of Garden Suburb. High density houses being visible from Myall road would stand out from the rest of the area. People bought into this area for the space and the bushland landscape.
Thank you for this opportunity.

I also strongly agree with the concerns by Guy Finn. I hope that as representatives of our community, you strongly take this opportunity to ensure there is a good outcome for the residents of Garden Suburb. Of Major concern is the increased traffic this will add to Myall Road, At peak times the traffic is already very heavy. The increased volume will impact greatly on the residents whose houses are directly behind the road. This will inrease the noise and pollution for these residents, this will greatly impact their lives and as a council for these people you need to take their wellbeing into consideration. Rate payers need to have a voice through their local councils and its your duty to stand up for them. It is of great concern that councils are choosing profit over the environment and the impact such projects have on its people and native birds,animals and plants.
I also thank you for this opportunity to express my concerns and hope that you take my concerns into consideration regarding this application. It is well documented that high density housing does not work, can this be revised. We also want to keep the existing ambiece of Garden Suburb.
Thank you

As a resident who grew up in Garden Suburb and has returned to the beautiful green, bushy area to bring up a family (like many others), I am very concerned about the proposed development to Myall Road and the impact and changes this development will have to this special environment.
These bushland corridors are vital to retaining active native eco systems throughout the Newcastle/Lake Maquarie areas.
Many of the residents chose to live in this subub to enjoy the benefits of being close to the bush, while living in a thriving suburb/urban region. Having known this bushland area as a child, I notice how it has now become a more prized and valued asset and place for appreciation now, more than ever before.
This bushland area appears in very good health, virtually weed free, self-regenerating and contains many spectacular mature trees, natural waterways and habitats for many native insects, reptiles, birds and animals.
This is bushland that all Lake Maquarie Residents could be pround of. As a 'Green Council', I hope that these special areas are considered important and valued as an asset for all Lake Maquarie residents.
I ask that the council please ensure that the proposed development is senstive to these issues and proceeds in a way that is in the best interests of existing residents, native vegetation, existing wildlife habitats, general Lake Maquarie/Newcastle residents, new residents to the area and our area's future.
We live in a green city, it is up to all of us to keep it that way. Areas such as these can never be replaced.
Thank you for your time in taking these concerns into consideration.

Seriously with all of the development going on in and around town surely we as a community could save a little patch of green for our kids, us and the next generation to enjoy in the suburbs.

Too much overkill by developers fighting for wealth at the expense of those that actually care about their community and environmental surrounds whilst councils just chase dollars.

Look to the west, the north and even the south - there are large expanses of land available for people to live....without even cutting a tree down!!!!. Lets not cram suburbs, overload the road systems and existing infrastructure whilst destroying the environment - little of which is left in the area ..... surely with all of the development in Cardiff mainly multi residential - enough is enough.

People are sick of it - the haste at which we are destroying our suburbs in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie for the greed and wealth for a few is disgusting.

Leave Garden Suburb to thrive in its current state for families, sport enthusiasts and nature...... or don’t ...... and look back in time at your bad choices.

Seriously with all of the development going on in and around town surely we as a community could save a little patch of green for our kids, us and the next generation to enjoy in the suburbs.

Too much overkill by developers fighting for wealth at the expense of those that actually care about their community and environmental surrounds whilst councils just chase dollars.

Look to the west, the north and even the south - there are large expanses of land available for people to live....without even cutting a tree down!!!!. Lets not cram suburbs, overload the road systems and existing infrastructure whilst destroying the environment - little of which is left in the area ..... surely with all of the development in Cardiff mainly multi residential - enough is enough.

People are sick of it - the haste at which we are destroying our suburbs in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie for the greed and wealth for a few is disgusting.

Leave Garden Suburb to thrive in its current state for families, sport enthusiasts and nature...... or don’t ...... and look back in time at your bad choices.

The meeting held by planning commission had landcom stating the reserved land protected as natural bush would not be accessible to mountain bikes and would have structured pedestrian access paths. Not really natural
Bush left for the community to access and connect with nature. They also staged lmcc didn’t want a park/reserve area within the mew estate itself. Very disappointing for garden suburb. The meeting, despite, protestors and objections seemed a done deal. I
Within the week I suspect this will be confirmed.

I'm extremely concerned about the effect on the already congested traffic on Myall Road. I travel this road twice daily and peak periods are already a crawl between the top of the hill in Garden Suburb, right down to the traffic lights, via the roundabout, in Cardiff. Unless there are plans to widen Myall Road in the immediate future, and before this application can be approved, I fear that the amenity of residents of both Garden Suburb and Cardiff will be greatly reduced.

Dear Council

I have been a resident in Garden Suburb for more than 20 years and have greatly appreciated the ambience this area has. The bushland mooted for development is a valuable ecosystem for all forms of flora and fauna. The little creek running through it was one of the few place in the area that supports tadpoles -- which my children enjoyed observing. It is a wonderful natural bush walk within an urban area.
To carve up this habitat will deprive the area and schools of a wonderful natural ecosystem ready for use in their science, geography environmental studies etc. It will drive out what natural fauna there is and leave a huge gap in the green space of the area.

With the opening of the road from Cardiff to Boolaroo, we have already seen a marked increase in the traffic on Myall Road in peak times and this development would only lead to more traffic trying to negotiate along Myall Rd especially trying to leave and enter the Forest Hill estate. More traffic would increase the noice and atmospheric pollution in the area and with no bush to buffer from it.

I would implore the council to rethink this development application as being against the "green" policy and initiatives the council has and leave it as one of the few inner city natural landscapes left in the area.

Please don't let a cash grab taint a wise decision.
Regards
Gerry Vandermaat

The meeting held by planning commission had landcom stating the reserved land protected as natural bush would not be accessible to mountain bikes and would have structured pedestrian access paths. Not really natural
Bush left for the community to access and connect with nature. They also staged lmcc didn’t want a park/reserve area within the mew estate itself. Very disappointing for garden suburb. The meeting, despite, protestors and objections seemed a done deal. I
Within the week I suspect this will be confirmed.

As a resident that lives within the local vicinity, I would be disappointed to see the large natural tree-studded block at 9a Myall Road cleared for housing. If you type the address into google and turn satellite on, it is clear that 9a Myall Road is one of the last large untouched pockets of bush left in the local vicinity and provides a vital link from the bushland in South which is near the Charlestown Golf Course to Blackbutt Reserve in the North. Offering a bush corridor between other bush pockets around the area. However, I do acknowledge Newcastle and Lake Macquarie’s population will be for ever-growing and the city needs to provide the future residents with affordable housing options i.e. new housing estates. Therefore, I'm not against the subdivision however I would like to suggest a few points.

I’m aware the land is owned by Landcom, which is government-owned. From my understanding, Landcom has designed a subdivision that is positioned in the middle of the existing bush pocket. Yes, it has retained 60% of the bushland on the site however is the 60% of bushland really habitable for the local wildlife. Therefore, there will be two smaller bush pockets on either side of the proposed subdivision. This would create a break between the two bush pockets and animals that travel between the bush reserve and they are more likely to wander elsewhere to find food.

Recently I saw the Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC) run a Design Competition called DWELL that aimed to build tomorrows homes today. These were houses were environmentally sustainable and had a low carbon footprint. Therefore, wouldn’t it make sense if LMCC continued its pledge to provide the city with environmentally friendly outcomes through approving subdivisions in line with the same principles as the DWELL Design competition.

Therefore, I propose an outcome that both the environment and new houses live harmoniously together. This idea would be similar to the Murrays Beach subdivision where a new subdivision can be developed within bush pockets of our city without removing every tree on the existing site and being a permanent scar on the landscape. This would require a personalised DCP for the subdivision and this subdivision could be an example for other councils and set the bar and an example for future subdivisions.

This is one of the last pockets of bush land in the local area. Clearing this will displace all of the local native animals that live here. Myall road is such a busy road now that the Boolaroo bypass is in place. I suspect that there will be many unnecessary deaths of native animals over the coming years because of the development. It would be hypocritical of LMCC allow this development without planning to include bush reserves for a bush thoroughfare for the native animals and to clear the majority of the trees on this block as it is a garden suburb.

Please, please don’t go ahead with this development. There are plenty of other more suitable places for more housing, these are hundred years old trees and well established bush land for the native animals that reside there. If we keep destroying trees and the bush our future is bleak. Our planet is warming up and we all know why, every little action will help. Please put the welfare of your community before the mighty dollar. It takes guts to stand up and do the right thing, represent your community with integrity and know that when you go home to your respective families you have put people first. Just like you would expect your representatives would do for your family. Please save our bush at Myall Road, Garden Suburb.

Please do not develop this natural bushland. It is an important area for native birds, animals, and reptiles. It is also important for the Powerful Owl, and it's travel through the bush corridors. There are also many large mature trees and many native plants. I also believe that it may be home to a rare native orchid, which all would be lost if this development were to go through. There is already congestion on Myall road making it difficult for the vehicles leaving the Forest Hill estate. So creating another entry/exit point from a new housing estate to Myall road would require forward-thinking (traffic lights) by the council to prevent potential accidents due to the large increase of even more cars trying to access Myall road from a large housing estate. My vote is 'No' don't do it!

This development has already been given approval by council officers and councillors, and they should hang their heads in shame. This development is a great example of how a local council has assisted the developer to achieve their goal of bushland destruction instead of advocating for the existing community who they should be listening to. The consultation regarding this development was inadequate and so too was the environmental assessment. Councillors have let the community down and need to amend and withdraw their support for this destruction. An off site off set should be the bare minimum for this proposal to every proceed. Local residents will fight this disgrace until the bitter end of the process.