Novus on Albert - 763 - 769 Pacific Highway, Chatswood - Build-to-Rent

1781

New South Wales 2067

23/06/2025

Object

Website

Dear Sirs/Madames, I am writing to express my vociferous objection to SSD-59805958 in Chatswood. My self managed superannuation fund is a Strata Unit owner of SP40795, of the commercial offices at 781 Pacific Highway Chatswood, and it is clear to me that SSD-59805958 will have significant adverse impacts on me, my fund, my fellow owners, the building and structure here, the local community, other stakeholders in the neighbourhood; as well as on the traffic, safety and the amenity of the local area. While the current state government has enacted new planning laws, I assert that SSD-59805958 is a cynical effort to subvert all the planning rules that Willoughby Council has developed over the years to ensure the amenity and substance of the Chatswood area is not impacted by thoughtless, greedy and ignoble developers. As the NSW Government of the day, my opinion is that it is your duty to govern in the interests of the people, and SSD-59805958 is clearly in the interests of one party only, the developers and their foreign investors, ultimately the UK Pension Funds. While it is laudable the NSW Government is concerned with housing for the ever increasing population of Sydney and the projected shortage that is the outcome of decades of lack of foresight by public administrators; it is my opinion the current focus on SSD projects such as SSD-59805958 is a mistake of the utility and purpose of government, and substantially a political ploy to convince the public that the Government is addressing the affordable housing shortage issue. While the Build to Rent model may bring some short term relief, it is clear to me that the model will be unable to address what is necessary, and that is affordable housing, not high priced cheap boxes in a tall towers with too small a footprint. I predict that SSD-59805958 will result in a cheap, poorly constructed building, that will be inadequately maintained, will look ugly and will adversely affect our site, the other neighbours, and cause significant traffic chaos in an already congested area that includes one of the worst traffic accident spots in the state on the corner of Pacific Highway and Albert Avenue. In addition the misconstrued proposed use of Albert Lane will cause untold obstruction with all service utilities, deliveries, waste disposal out on the street, rather than being under the building as the sensible planning rules require. While SSD-59805958 won some Design Award Competition, that to me is a case of the "Kings New Clothes" because it is solely for the purpose of judging the street frontage of the building, and not the entire site holistically. A 90m concrete wall is planned 20cm from our boundary, which will be simply painted with no plans for relief, paint maintenance, adequate water runoff, or consideration for the visual impact looking from the north to the south. Simply a stark, 90m painted wall, facing north ready to fade and peel under the increasingly hot northerly sun. I understand that there is a planning process, and the developer must respond to the objections raised by all stakeholders, but when I read the DA documents, see the objections, and read the responses I am convinced that there is little truth in the developers submissions, and both the DA and responses are done by people who are experts in running rings around the planning process, in order to gain DA approvals. If you care to immerse yourself in the objections you will see there is not a single entity (other than the developer) who wishes for SSD-59805958 to proceed; including all the responding objectors, and Willoughby Council. [TEXT REDACTED]; and agreement to the waiving of setback rules, in return for obsequious representations that the air rights of an existing income producing sign on the south wall of 781 Pacific Highway can be maintained, and council will approve a format change from landscape to portrait; and their proposition that the only value for SP40795 will arise if the setback rule is waived, in Novus' interest, and not in ours. I voice my strong objections to this development, and remind you of your responsibility of fair governance in the interest of all parties, not just those with the capacity to make money out of such an ill conceived, abhorrent and thoughtless construction on a site that is grossly undersized for the proposed height. I believe I also speak for many of the other owners of SP40795 in that it would be considered a tragedy for SSD-59805958 to be approved, as it does not satisfy anyone's interests, neither SP40795, nor the local community, nor the wider community, nor anyone else in NSW, other than the developers, in any way shape or form. [TEXT REDACTED], and secondly that the usage of combined lots is reconsidered, to ensure that any development does not leave 781 Pacific Highway adversely affected, damaged, or left as an undesirable orphan block as a result, which it is certain to be the case if the development is approved. Simon Buchwald BE MBA MIEA.

1666

Willoughby City Council

New South Wales 2067

20/06/2025

Object

Website

Willoughby City Council's submission is attached.

WIlloughby Council - Letter to IPC redacted.pdf (PDF, 302.16 KB)

Willoughby Submission - Letter to DPHI 22 July 2024 redacted.pdf (PDF, 249.77 KB)

Attachments 1-3 merged.pdf (PDF, 2 MB)

1001

New South Wales 2067

04/06/2025

Object

Website

I am writing as a long-term resident who has resided in the vicinity of the proposed development area for over 20 years. Over this time, I have observed an increasing peak load of traffic at the junction of Albert Avenue, Albert Lane, and Pacific Highway. During peak hours and weekends, this junction reaches critical mass, becoming gridlocked as vehicles attempt to enter and exit Albert Avenue and Albert Lane via Pacific Highway. The government assessment report appears to rely on vague references to generalized traffic flow data without conducting a specific study of this already severely compromised junction. The introduction of additional traffic generated by the proposed development—including ingress and egress traffic as well as service and support vehicles—will only exacerbate the existing congestion. Failure to conduct a thorough and localized traffic study would demonstrate a disregard for duty of care and a failure to address real-time concerns of the local community. A proper assessment should include a detailed traffic study that evaluates the specific impact on this junction, ensuring that planning decisions are informed by current and accurate data. I strongly urge the relevant authorities, including traffic and planning departments, to undertake a comprehensive local traffic study before proceeding with this development. Ignoring these legitimate concerns—shared by Willoughby Council and myself—would constitute a failure to uphold proper assessment guidelines. I appreciate your consideration of this matter and look forward to your response.

1011

New South Wales 2067

04/06/2025

Object

Website

I’m the owner of one of the commercial property at [REDACTED] Pacific Hwy, the construction work will cause me losses for my business and that won’t be recovered.

1076

New South Wales 2113

06/06/2025

Support

Website

I am fortunate enough to have bought an apartment in the area before the worsening of the housing crisis in the last 3 years. But my friends and family have seen their rent rise sharply in that time, and it’s becoming harder to find stable, affordable places to live — even in areas like Chatswood that were once more accessible. Projects like this are essential. They add secure, professionally managed rental homes in locations with good transport and amenities. The prices in Chatswood proves that there is colossal demand for that. We need more housing options, not fewer — especially ones designed specifically for renters. I urge the Commission to approve this development.