NOTICE OF Council MEETING
PUBLIC SUPPLEMENTARY
AGENDA - B
An Ordinary Meeting of City of Parramatta Council will be held in PHIVE 2 Civic Place, Parramatta Council Chambers, 5 Parramatta Square, Parramatta on Monday, 28 November 2022 at 6:30pm.
Bryan Hynes
ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Council 28 November 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM SUBJECT PAGE NO
8 Minutes of the Lord Mayor
8.1 2022 Minister’s Awards for Women in Local Government................. 4
8.2 2022 Lord Mayor's Christmas Celebration Charity Partners............. 6
8.3 International Day of People with Disability............................................ 8
9 Public Forum
9.1 PUBLIC FORUM 1: for Item 11.1 - Notice of Motion of Recission: Item 11.1 - Outcome of Public Exhibition and Impact of the Department of Planning decisions of Draft Parramatta City Centre.......................................... 10
9.2 PUBLIC FORUM 2: for Item 11.2 - Recission Motion - Notice of Motion of Rescission: Item 13.1 Post-exhibition - Planning Proposal, draft Development Control Plan and draft Planning Agreement for 195 Church Street, 65-79 Macquarie Street, 38 and 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta (St John's Anglican Church)........................................................................ 11
9.3 PUBLIC FORUM 3: for Item 11.2 - Rescission Motion - Notice of Motion of Rescission: Item 13.1 Post-exhibition - Planning Proposal, draft Development Control Plan and draft Planning Agreement for 195 Church Street, 65-79 Macquarie Street, 38 and 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta (St John's Anglican Church)........................................................................ 13
9.4 PUBLIC FORUM 4: Item 11.2 - Notice of Motion of Rescission: Item 13.1 Post-exhibition - Planning Proposal, draft Development Control Plan and draft Planning Agreement for 195 Church Street, 65-79 Macquarie Street, 38 and 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta (St John's Anglican Church) 15
9.5 PUBLIC FORUM 5: for Item 13.2 - Refusal of the Planning Proposal for land at 361-365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks............................. 17
9.6 PUBLIC FORUM 6: for Item 13.2 - Refusal of the Planning Proposal for land at 361-365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks............................. 19
9.7 PUBLIC FORUM 7: for Item 13.2 - Refusal of the Planning Proposal for land at 361-365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks............................. 21
9.8 PUBLIC FORUM 8: for Item 14.1 - Notice of Motion - ParraMatch 2022 24
After the conclusion of the Council Meeting, and if time permits, Councillors will be provided an opportunity to ask questions of staff.
Council 28 November 2022 Item 8.1
ITEM NUMBER 8.1
SUBJECT 2022 Minister’s Awards for Women in Local Government
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08783915
REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis
CSP THEME: THRIVING
workshop/briefing date: Nil
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to recognise and congratulate the City of Parramatta’s planning staff, Jennifer Concato and Grace Haydon who have received 2022 Minister’s Awards for Women in Local Government.
That Council congratulate Jennifer Concato, Executive Director, and Grace Haydon, Senior Project Officer, from the City of Parramatta’s City Planning & Design Team, who have received Minister’s Awards for Women in Local Government.
BACKGROUND
1. The Minister’s Awards for Women in Local Government are a chance to recognise female councillors and council staff who make invaluable contributions to improve the lives of the people they represent and serve.
2. The Awards were established in 2008 to recognise the outstanding efforts of women at the grassroots level of government in metropolitan and regional councils.
3. On 24 November 2022, the Hon Wendy Tuckerman MP, Minister for Local Government and the Hon. Bronnie Taylor MLC, Minister for Women, hosted a ceremony to announce the winners of the 2022 Awards. Jennifer Concato, Executive Director City Planning & Design, received the ‘Champion of Change’ Award, which recognises a senior manager who has excelled in supporting and encouraging women’s participation in their council.
4. As a key member of Council’s Executive team, Jennifer Concato leads a directorate of around 150 technical experts and their support teams. Jennifer is an inspiration to women across Council as she has grown during her 14 years working at Council, from a junior position to become the longest serving member of Council staff on the Executive team.
5. Jennifer was recognised for her efforts to support female staff to develop their professional voices. She has established a mentoring program and has led by example by mentoring junior staff and encouraging other senior executives to do so. She also continues to work to establish a graduate development program within Council. Jennifer is widely respected within the planning industry for her strong leadership
6. Grace Haydon, Senior Project Officer City Planning & Design, won the Young Achievers Award, which recognises an outstanding trainee (aged 25 and under).
7. Grace is a highly motivated and capable young planner, driven to achieving excellence. She is passionate about young planners getting a foothold in their careers, as she has done, and to this end has been conducting university talks and career expos outside of her normal worktime promoting the profession. Within Council, Grace actively helps to promote and drive the inclusion of more student planners in Council so they might gain experience to further their careers. Grace received a $5000 scholarship with her award to support further studies in the planning field.
8. Congratulations to Jennifer and Grace for this well-deserved recognition, for your service to Council and the community and for delivering great planning outcomes for our City.
9. Council also recognises the countless women across our State, both employees and elected officials, who play a vital role in creating stronger local councils and making their local community a better place to live, work and play.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL
10. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis
There are no attachments for this report.
REFERENCE MATERIAL
Council 28 November 2022 Item 8.2
ITEM NUMBER 8.2
SUBJECT 2022 Lord Mayor's Christmas Celebration Charity Partners
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08783931
REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis
CSP THEME: THRIVING
workshop/briefing date: Nil
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to note the Lord Mayor’s annual Christmas Celebration and seek Council support for a donation to Cumberland Women’s Health Centre and the Children’s Medical Research Institute as event Charity Partners.
Recommendation:
(a) That Council note the Lord Mayor’s annual Christmas Celebration will take place on Friday 2 December at CommBank Stadium; and
(b) Further, that Council donates $5,000 to the Cumberland Women’s Health Centre and $5,000 to the Children’s Medical Research Institute as the chosen event Charity Partners in recognition of their work in our City.
BACKGROUND
1. Each year, the Lord Mayor hosts a community Christmas celebration in the LGA. The 2022 Lord Mayor’s Christmas Celebration will take place on 2 December at CommBank Stadium. It is an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the City of Parramatta’s governing body, Lord Mayor, Councillors, and acknowledge the contribution our community stakeholders make to our City.
2. Guests are invited to support a charitable organisation nominated by the Lord Mayor and the Lord Mayor’s Consort.
3. This year, two organisations have been nominated as event Charity Partners, to receive $5,000 each.
4. The Cumberland Women’s Health Centre (CWHC) is a not-for-profit community organisation providing women’s health and domestic violence specialist response services to all women regardless of age, ethnicity, identity or income in the Parramatta, Cumberland and Baulkham Hills areas.
5. Since being founded in 1986, CWHC aims to work collaboratively to create stability and empower women to initiate positive change in their lives. The organisation provides domestic violence casework support, counselling and crisis support, education and outreach programs for women in our community.
6. The Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) is an independent medical organisation based at Westmead. CMRI’s 170 scientists conduct ground-breaking work in cancer research embryology, neurobiology and gene technologies, delivering benefits for the health of our community.
7. Over 25 years, the CMRI has set the benchmark in innovative cancer research. Achievements include a world-first project to transform cancer diagnosis and personalise treatment planning, part of the 'Moonshot' program to end cancer. The CMRI also found a single genetic defect can cause cleft lip and palate, and identified the components of telomerase, which will be important for treating 85% of all cancers.
8. This Lord Mayor Minute proposes a $5,000 donation from Council to support the incredible work being done by the Cumberland Women’s Health Centre and $5,000 to support the work of the Children’s Medical Research Institute.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL
9. The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Celebration is budgeted for within the allocated 2022/23 Civic Program operational budget.
10. This Lord Mayor Minute proposes a donation of $5,000 be made to Cumberland Women’s Health Centre and $5,000 to the Children’s Medical Research Institute as event Charity Partners. The total $10,000 donation can be met from the existing 2022/23 Lord Mayor and Council Support donations budget (126000 – 646203).
Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis
There are no attachments for this report.
REFERENCE MATERIAL
Council 28 November 2022 Item 8.3
ITEM NUMBER 8.3
SUBJECT International Day of People with Disability
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08783938
REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis
CSP THEME: ACCESSIBLE
workshop/briefing date: NIL
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to recognise International Day of People with Disability, marked annually on 3 December.
Recommendation:
(a) That Council note the program of activities and communications celebrating International Day of People with Disability on 3 December; and
(b) Further, that Council donate $1000 to the Western Sydney Wanderers Foundation Christmas Appeal to support their All Abilities initiatives, encouraging participation and inclusion in football for people with physical or intellectual disability.
BACKGROUND
1. International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations sanctioned day celebrated internationally on 3 December. It aims to promote public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
2. IDPwD is an opportunity for us to make positive changes to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians with disability, almost 28,000 of which live in Parramatta (about 11% of our LGA).
3. About 10% of Council’s workforce identifies as living with a disability.
4. Each year the City of Parramatta marks IDPwD with a program of events and communication. Training sessions will be held for staff to improve their understanding of accessibility and inclusion in the workplace and include practical examples of how to support colleagues with disability.
5. Council is also running activities supporting IDPwD, including:
· Inclusive Auslan interpreted Story Time sessions at PHIVE, Wentworth Point, Epping and Constitution Hill libraries;
· Lighting up PHIVE purple on 3 December;
· A Uniting Exhibition showcasing IDPwD at Wentworth Point Library;
· STEM training for autistic teens at PHIVE; and
· A visual and interactive exhibition about barriers faced by people with disability, particularly hidden disability, also at PHIVE.
6. This Minute proposes a Council donation of $1000 to the inaugural Western Sydney Wanderers Foundation Christmas Appeal supporting their All Abilities inclusive sporting initiatives. Funds will support the Wanderers Inclusive Football Program, which runs in schools across Western Sydney and supports people with an intellectual disability as well as people with a physical disability to participate in football.
7. The Lord Mayor will present a cheque to a representative of the Wanderers at the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Celebration on 3 December.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL
8. This Lord Mayoral Minute proposes a donation of $1000 be made to the Western Sydney Wanderers Foundation Christmas Appeal to support their work funding inclusive football initiatives.
9. This donation can be met from the existing 2022/23 Lord Mayor and Council Support donations budget (126000 – 646203).
Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis
There are no attachments for this report.
REFERENCE MATERIAL
Council 28 November 2022 Item 9.1
ITEM NUMBER 9.1
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 1: for Item 11.1 - Notice of Motion of Recission: Item 11.1 - Outcome of Public Exhibition and Impact of the Department of Planning decisions of Draft Parramatta City Centre
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08780924
FROM Luke Magee – President of the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce – Written Submission
Dear Councillor,
The Parramatta Chamber of Commerce performs an important function of representing the business community within the LGA. One of the key factors being that all desire a city that creates an environment whereby workers and equally customers, clients, tourists and visitors find it appealing to visit Parramatta.
We note that building height restrictions have been relaxed, which in theory allows for taller and thinner buildings that can provide several benefits which are well-documented worldwide.
Given the above, we urge the Council to reflect on the current LEP and DCPs and ensure that decisions made now set the foundations for Parramatta to become the world-class city it has the potential to be. Importantly this requires a City Centre that attracts businesses and workers by providing world-class amenities and focussing on liveability.
This requires best-practice design decisions, which you are currently considering. The decisions made now will affect the city for generations to come.
Thus, we encourage the City of Parramatta Council to consider long-term liveability as major factor in getting people back to the city and creating a thriving environment, that will benefit businesses and residents alike.
So once again we recommend you make solid decisions now with an eye on the long-term consequences and benefits for our city.
Yours sincerely
Luke Magee
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Council 28 November 2022 Item 9.2
ITEM NUMBER 9.2
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 2: for Item 11.2 - Recission Motion - Notice of Motion of Rescission: Item 13.1 Post-exhibition - Planning Proposal, draft Development Control Plan and draft Planning Agreement for 195 Church Street, 65-79 Macquarie Street, 38 and 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta (St John's Anglican Church)
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08778731
FROM Cheryl Bates OAM - Chair, National Trust (NSW) Parramatta Regional Branch
Thank you, Lord Mayor, and Councillors for the opportunity to speak again.
My name is Cheryl Bates and I represent over 1,000 members of the National Trust Parramatta Branch.
This is the sixth time we have spoken to oppose this proposal. The Branch continues to voice their opposition to the magnitude of rezonings leading to random planning decisions in Parramatta. We have followed the proposal and are extremely disappointed by Council’s nonadherence to their guiding principles for the treatment of heritage particularly in the CBD.
This contentious rezoning has never been supported by a genuine Councillor consensus in the past and we implore you not to approve this rezoning that will be viewed by future generations as an appalling planning decision. Your decision tonight will be on public record in perpetuity.
The developer has from the outset suggested a 45 and 42 storey tower, but a 211-metre building height will allow up to 70 storeys to be built on this site.
The Branch has followed this rezoning since 2018 and has witnessed the developer’s unwillingness to negotiate any changes to “their vision” a vision that will destroy the setting of the nationally significant Cathedral, the Parish Hall, and the highly significant Centenary Square.
We put to you several points to support our opposition. Let us stress to you as individually elected Councillors, this is a planning decision not a political decision.
1. The developer championed the construction of two tower buildings to better present the Cathedral. We believe that greater respect would be shown to the Cathedral if its curtilage was not used as a parking lot by the developer.
2. Council has deemed, after a lengthy process of community consultation for the CBD Plan, that a maximum 36 metres height is appropriate.
3. The developer misrepresents the offer of 50% more accessible community space through a Voluntary Planning Agreement, and this square will discriminate against LGBTQ members of the community.
4. A speaker supporting the proposal at the planning panel stated that the high-rise tower will allow breastfeeding and nappy changing facilities to be built. Could this not be easily achieved through a low-rise building on this expansive site?
5. The proposed towers will introduce unacceptable impacts on the landmark qualities of the Cathedral and its setting.
6. The amenity of Centenary Square, a gathering place for over 230 years will be compromised by towers that are too high and overbearing.
In 2018 a Sydney Morning Herald headline described Parramatta as “Disneyland for Developers”. Sadly, we feel this headline has now come to fruition and the community are being taken on a rollercoaster ride of developer led planning decisions that will destroy our heritage city.
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response was provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Council 28 November 2022 Item 9.3
ITEM NUMBER 9.3
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 3: for Item 11.2 - Rescission Motion - Notice of Motion of Rescission: Item 13.1 Post-exhibition - Planning Proposal, draft Development Control Plan and draft Planning Agreement for 195 Church Street, 65-79 Macquarie Street, 38 and 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta (St John's Anglican Church)
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08780925
FROM Reverend Bruce Morrison
Lord Mayor and Councillors. I acknowledge the Burramatta People. Thank you for your support. Lord Mayor, thank you for ensuring we have this opportunity to clarify misconceptions.
Misconception: The church is ‘just another developer’.
I should like to ask: Are you aware of any developer who has owned their land for 220 years, contributed to the life and community of the city since its inception, has a membership of 1000 people across the LGA, opened their grounds to the public for 80 years, and who will remain here for the next 220 years?
We are a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation. Everything goes back into churches, and the community. I am senior minister. I’ve been working on this project for over a decade. I will not get a bonus on completion, just my usual stipend.
Misconception: Our proposal undermines the CBD planning process.
We have followed due process for 6 years. We have the support of two elected councils and two planning panels, and gateway approval from the Department of Planning. Council officers have made their recommendation. We have made changes in the face of backflips and reversals. And here we are again. If this is planning on the run, then I’d hate to see it on a stroll.
The ink is barely dry on the CBD Planning Proposal because our PP was developed in tandem with it, each being drawn up in consideration of the other. There are many more site specific proposals that will come to this chamber. I’m sure that their proponents are watching with some anxiety, given the capital that we, and they, have expended.
Misconception: We have not compromised at all. Let me list some:
• There are no ‘Twin Towers’! The south building at 45 Hunter St. will be developed within the new CBD PP at 6:1 FSR.
• The floorplate is greatly reduced to create a ‘slender tower’. It will certainly appear slender in comparison to Parramatta Square.
• The FSR is reduced from unlimited to 17.5:1.
• The VPA includes financial concessions, responsibility to create and maintain the public space, and provision of access to Queensland arcade through St. John’s property.
Further concessions run the risk of making it uneconomic.
Misconception: Department of Planning stopped us from delisting the Hall. Incorrect. They simply changed the procedure. The proper process is in place to deal with the hall on a merit based assessment.
Misconception: There is no advantage in the Public Domain access in the VPA
The present agreement is for access across the paved areas only. Presently no activity is permitted without St. John’s approval. It expires in 19 years. 19 years flies by pretty quickly. What would a developer do? Perhaps build a fence and turn it into a car park. Is that my intention? No! But I won’t be around. Is there value in a VPA that ensures access in perpetuity? Absolutely.
Misconception: We should wait for the SEPP 2 Report.
St. John’s is not in the SEPP 2 area. It is south of Macquarie St., aligned East to West with Parramatta Square, which we are seeking to extend. It belongs to the CBD not the Western Fringe.
Thank you, councillors, for your attention and support.
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Council 28 November 2022 Item 9.4
ITEM NUMBER 9.4
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 4: Item 11.2 - Notice of Motion of Rescission: Item 13.1 Post-exhibition - Planning Proposal, draft Development Control Plan and draft Planning Agreement for 195 Church Street, 65-79 Macquarie Street, 38 and 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta (St John's Anglican Church)
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08780928
FROM Helen Westwood
Good evening Lord Mayor and Councillors, my name is Helen Westwood. I am a resident and ratepayer of Parramatta City Council. I wish to speak tonight in relation to item 11.2 of tonight’s meeting.
My Public Forum is in relation to the Planning Agreement of the development proposal by St John's Parramatta Endownment Fund which provides for community benefits including licencing in perpetuity for public access to the open space surrounding the Cathedral to create a civic space.
The social covenant applied to the use of this open civic space by the developer St John’s will exclude the use and activities by some members of our Parramatta community.
While some of these exclusions would apply to most if not all public open space in Parramatta such as the manufacture or sale of armament or weapons of war, others do not. This social covenant will prohibit:
· The practice or advocacy of other faiths or spiritualities which are inconsistent with the doctrines, tenets and beliefs of the Anglican Church of Australia in the Diocese of Sydney;
· the celebration or blessings of same sex weddings or relationships;
· the provision of services in connection with, or advocacy for, gender re-assignment;
· the referral for or advocacy for abortions and abortion like contraceptives or stem cell research;
· and the provision of services in connection with, or advocacy for euthanasia.
All of these activities and services are legal in the state of New South Wales and occur every day across our state and city.
For decades this open civic space has been used for a wide range of community events including rallies, information days, celebrations and vigils. Events such as International Women’s Day with stalls from women’s health centres with information about reproductive health including abortion and the ‘morning after pill’; Human rights rallies and vigils including the human rights of same sex couples and trans people.
The report to Councillors on this development is silent on the social or legal implications of agreeing to a licence that excludes some of our community from equal access to this open civic space. Silent on this very important issue of exclusion and discrimination.
The developer is paying Council $3.5million to recognise Council’s risk from accepting limitations outlined in the Church’s social covenant, because Council could be the subject of legal action under anti-discrimination laws.
The developer is dictating which members of our community can benefit from the infrastructure provided through the VPA based on the developer’s prejudicial beliefs about minority groups?
Council’s website states:
‘The City of Parramatta is home and destination for diverse communities.
LGBTQIA+ communities are equally valued and welcomed in the Parramatta area. In support of thriving and resilient communities, Council works with local partners to improve community inclusion and reduce discrimination for all.’
Young people who are struggling or realising their identity can be very vulnerable when they feel excluded and isolated.
It is important that as community leaders you let them know they belong to the Parramatta community, they are valued by Council for the contribution they make to our community and are welcome to call Parramatta home
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Council 28 November 2022 Item 9.5
ITEM NUMBER 9.5
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 5: for Item 13.2 - Refusal of the Planning Proposal for land at 361-365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08780927
FROM Declan Murphy
Lord Mayor.
I’ll keep it short. I oppose the development plan in its current form for several reasons.
I moved to North Rocks in 1971. Known locally as the Deaf & Blind School, I’ve a long history with the site as for me it was always there. When I was a kid I played soccer with the kids who had come in from places like Dubbo for the residential programs, and often joined the North Rocks Scouts & Guides. We explored the local creeks together, long before there was a motorway.
The first is that it is inconsistent with the existing human environment & character of the suburb. There are no tower blocks, nor the infrastructure required. Some but not many townhouses exist on the northern side of North Rocks Road. On the southern side, the Lake Parramatta catchment side, there are none at all. From Speers Road to Pennant Hills Road, all residential buildings are R2. Most are stand alone, and single storey.
Secondly, there is the problem of transport. No heavy rail or mass transit. Bus services are sporadic. The traffic lights will need to be reconfigured, causing more backups for cars and trucks accessing or exiting the shops or using busy Barclay Road. There is already a problem of cars doing rat runs along New North Rocks Road, to avoid the existing pedestrian traffic light, the lights at the Barclay Road intersection, and lights at the northern end of the Lawndale Avenue intersection. These rat runs result in frequent accidents and damage to safety rails & signage (repaired at council expense) and there have been injuries & fatalities in the past. New North Rocks Road is already difficult to access and cross, and there is only one pedestrian crossing along the entire route, at the bottom of Pembury Avenue.
Thirdly it will have a negative impact on the existing natural environment. The larger footprint of hardened rooves and surfaces will increase the runoff into Blue Gum and Darling Mills creeks, and even if an additional Flood Retardation Basin similar to the existing one near Loyalty Road is constructed, the development will still add to the problem of flood risk in the Parramatta CBD.
The site has old growth trees, and is a haven for nesting birdlife that require tree hollows, especially the quiet area near Baden Powell Place where there are no residents. If a council objective is to increase the tree canopy of the CBD, it makes no sense to deplete that of the suburbs.
I request the council to vote against the proposal.
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Council 28 November 2022 Item 9.6
ITEM NUMBER 9.6
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 6: for Item 13.2 - Refusal of the Planning Proposal for land at 361-365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08780930
FROM Sharon Stewart
I speak to support Council Staff recommendation to refuse the planning proposal at 361-365 North Rocks Road North Rocks.
Residences of North Rocks live in a peaceful, leafy tree lined suburb of spotted gum and blackbutt trees. There are approximately 127 different types of bird species that breed in the local reserves, this includes the powerful owl, cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets and kookaburras.
Over 90% of homeowners of North Rocks are middle income earners, who live in private separate dwellings, this demographic does not align with the proposed development being mid-rise 4-7 storey residential flat buildings which is incompatible with the local context.
The reasons to refuse the RIDBE Planning Proposal for Land includes but not limited to Urban Design, Traffic, Bushfire risk, natural areas, open space, tree canopy and community facilities to name a few. We expanded on our concerns as follows:
1. Adverse impact to traffic conditions – current infrastructure is not adequate to cope with influx of proposed 2000 cars.
2. Inconsistent with the local context and strategic intent of the suburb which is to maintain R2/R3 zoning - low to medium housing.
3. Over populating area – adverse impact to amenities; not enough facilities to meet the demands of potentially 3000 to 4000 residents. Schools already at capacity, not enough teachers available? Shopping Centres – not enough retail/hospitality staff, unable to abide by the COVID rules to keep 1.5 meters apart. Child Care centres – will have to go on a waiting list for vacancies, medical centres – waiting periods to see your local doctor?
4. Overshadowing/privacy – High rise apartments would have a substantial impact on residents’ privacy, this can create mental health issues e.g. anxiety and stress.
5. Land – designated bush fire prone area – BAL40 – high rise apartments propose a higher risk to residence.
6. No access via Duncan Place North Rocks – this is a cul-de-sac not a thoroughfare for proposed 2000 cars.
7. When purchasing property at the back of a business – residence never suspected proposed development of 1056 homes on their back doorstep.
8. We are supportive of the current zoning – strongly oppose any development that would change the zoning at North Rocks.
We agree with council officers report which states;
a. the proposed increases in height (between 9m to 25m) and density (overall site FSR of 1.35:1), and site layout leads to built form and public domain outcomes that are incompatible with the local context;
b. the predominance of mid-rise 4-7 storey residential flat buildings is incompatible with the local context and detracts from the strategic intent to promote medium density typologies of 2-3 storeys;
c. inadequate provision of affordable housing;
d. the lack of sufficient documentation to demonstrate no adverse traffic impacts, and the proposed measures to improve public transport access are not considered feasible;
e. poor strategic merit in relation to access, topographical, environmental and amenity considerations; and
f. inadequate open space provision considering the requirements of Council’s.
Community Infrastructure Strategy.
We as residents we have support of the councillors opposing this development and the proposed planning proposal.
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Council 28 November 2022 Item 9.7
ITEM NUMBER 9.7
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 7: for Item 13.2 - Refusal of the Planning Proposal for land at 361-365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08783471
FROM Michael Easson AM FRICS, Executive Chair, EG Funds Management – Written Submission
EG is a fund manager backed by some of the largest super funds in Australia. Funds who want to make a difference to well-planned communities and affordable housing.
Yet in the past 18-months, since we submitted our planning proposal, the largest private landowner in the suburbs of Parramatta LGA, the near-13ha Next Sense North Rocks location, a site already zoned residential, we find it impossible to meet with the Head of Planning.
We complain of procedural unfairness and apprehended bias.
On the latter, look at the title of tonight’s agenda item. 13.2 Refusal of the Planning Proposal for land at 361-365 North Rocks Road, North Rocks.
Next item is objectively titled. Our item begins with “Refusal”.
How did we get this outcome?
When EG was in due diligence to acquire the site, Council Officers told us to aim for nothing more than 1:5:1 FSR on site.
We engaged extensively with the community. Met sporting associations. Pledged to Rotary that their markets would be protected and enhanced. We door knocked adjoining residents.
Council Officers formally wrote to EG on 8 March 2019 on design guidelines saying no more than 8-storeys.
We volunteered that anything next to exiting residential would be houses and townhouses.
The RMS, Transport for NSW, wrote to EG advising the proposal had merit and would work. Even so, EG proposed a 10-15-year connector bus funded by EG.
We have a giant oval. A Library. A community Centre. Six pocket parks. And, also, a Village Square – infrastructure that would benefit all North Rocks residents.
Note please, that North Rocks is currently designated a Local Centre; but currently it is without anything that lives up to that name. North Rocks Village creates wonderful amenities, including key worker housing, affordable housing, seniors’ living.
We are proposing $70m in a VPA. To Council.
We formally submitted our rezoning application to Council in May 2021.
We received no response from Council until 10 months later – when it issued a Request for Further Information on 2 March 2022. This did not prescribe any preferred building heights or FSR.
Ten months we had to wait for this. The Department expects Gateway rezoning applications to be done in 90 days.
We got pre-eminent senior experts to respond.
We revisited every assumption with Gabrielle Morrish, Tim Williams, Ken Maher, Prof. Nicole Gurran.
The Western Sydney Business Chamber endorsed our ideas as did numerous community groups.
Quality is what is presented.
No wonder the Council’s local Planning Panel referred this matter back to Council in October, as is grudgingly acknowledged in tonight’s Council Report.
Yet tonight we get an absolute rejection.
Instead of meeting, discussing, engaging, we get stonewalled, with zero engagement.
If raised eyebrows can tell a story, the Parramatta Planning Panel were astonished that a key document was left out of their brief. As it is this evening, Councillors, from yours.
Why was Council’s July 2022 proposed Master Plan, de-zoning the site, contrary to NSW planning law on residential, left out of your brief? This Council document proposed mostly residential apartments but mysteriously capped at 2 and 3 storeys only.
There is no mention in your papers – as with the Planning Panel – that EG had an ultimatum to respond in only two weeks last July. This was the first time we were told of Council’s new positions on height and density. Three years after we first met with Council Officers.
It is unbelievable and unprofessional we are in this position.
EG is renowned for community engagement, caring and curating the communities we are honoured to have a presence in.
I ask any fair-minded person, what choice do we have from here? Is this an example of best practice with so many recent zig-zags and changes to Council thinking?
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
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Council 28 November 2022 Item 9.8
ITEM NUMBER 9.8
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 8: for Item 14.1 - Notice of Motion - ParraMatch 2022
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08780059
FROM Kathryn Hammond – Written Submission
Dear Lord Mayor and Councillors
I wish to speak before you this even in relation to item number 14.1 for consideration at tonight's meeting.
Dundas Area Neighbourhood Centre (DANC) is a small not-for-profit community organisation based in Telopea. DANC has been operating for over 45 years covering the suburbs of Telopea, Dundas, Dundas Valley, Ermington, Rydalmere and Melrose Park.
We run various programs and activities to support the community including activities for socially isolated families, programs for children and young people as well as providing information, referral, and support to our residents.
Our main funding comes from Dept. of Communities & Justice to provided Targeted Early Intervention (TEI) Programs. The TEI program focuses on ensuring better short, medium, and long-term outcomes for children, young people, families and communities who are experiencing or are at risk of vulnerability.
DANC also applies for other grants and funds to enable us to run other programs for the community.
In relation to the Parramatch funding campaign which was raised by Clr Kellie Darley at last months meeting, I would like to note that Dundas Area Neighbourhood Centre spent considerable number of worker hours to undertake training, attend meetings, develop the idea and campaign, create promotional materials and promote to our community.
We were well on track to meet our goal and through no fault of our own, were not able to meet this goal due to the issues with the funding platform.
The information on our program is attached, and while our total amount we hoped to raise was $6000, this was to cover the cost of 4 programs. If Council agrees to commit the $1500 as originally planned, we will be able to run at least 1 of the planned programs for our community.
Thank you for your time.
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.