Item 9.5 - Attachment 5

Summary of Issues from Community Consultation

 

Attachment 5: Summary of issues during community consultation

 

 

Source of issue/submission

Issues Raised

Comments

Westmead Clinical Psychology Centre

The proposed development will cause displacement of existing parking, is unlikely to allow for adequate parking and will place visitors using pedestrian crossings at risk. Additional parking should be provided at Parramatta Park to compensate for the loss of parking at the UWS site.

Existing parking appears to be a temporary use that will inevitably be displaced by site development. In line with the strategic direction for Westmead Precinct a limit has been set on parking provision for the UWS site in order to help encourage a modal shift in favour of public transport. There are no plans to provide additional parking at Parramatta Park.

Health Infrastructure which represents the NSW Ministry of Health as landowner of Westmead Hospital campus

Further study and investigation is sought on:

–    traffic impacts on Darcy Road and parking demand overflow on the Westmead hospital site

–    potential impact of the Hawkesbury Road setbacks and building heights

–    clarification on the site’s planning around any future plans for light rail infrastructure to the precinct.

–    The actual traffic generation will be determined at the Development Application stage at which further detailed traffic modelling and analysis will be undertaken. This requirement together with other traffic and transport provisions such as maximum car parking rates, a modal split target of 35% public transport usage and the provision for bicycle car parking have been inserted in the site specific DCP. These provisions are designed to reduce private vehicle usage.

–    Maximum building heights and setbacks along Hawkesbury Road have been carefully determined to achieve an appropriate scale and form of development that addresses the street.

–    The provision of light rail infrastructure to the precinct will be dealt with as part of the broader strategic work being undertaken for the Westmead Precinct and the greater Parramatta region.

Holroyd City Council

The planning proposal does not address the impact of development on:

–    the local and regional road networks and in particular the traffic capacity of Hawkesbury Road rail overbridge

–    the local public transport network

–    residences on the southern side of the rail corridor, from potential overshadowing, especially Alexandra Parade, Westmead

–    The actual traffic generation will be determined at the Development Application stage at which further detailed traffic modelling and analysis will be undertaken. This requirement together with other traffic and transport provisions such as maximum car parking rates, a modal split target of 35% public transport usage and the provision for bicycle car parking have been inserted in the site specific DCP. These provisions are designed to reduce private vehicle usage.  

–    Consideration of the impact of the development on the local public transport network is best dealt with as part of Council's current broader strategic work for the Westmead Precinct.

–    It is acknowledged that buildings up to a height of 15 storeys on the site will be visible to residences in Holroyd City. Investigations indicate that development will cause minimal loss of sunlight to the properties on Alexandra Parade. There is a substantial buffer of the rail corridor and the road reserve which substantially mitigates the effects. 

Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia

–    There is a lack of understanding of the existing infrastructure problems and there is no attempt to address these.

–    The development will exacerbate existing traffic and parking problems.

–    The development will cause a loss of environmental quality with taller buildings reducing sunlight admission and creating a wind tunnel atmosphere

–    The UWS site should be retained for education.

 

–    Existing infrastructure problems of the precinct are best dealt with as part of the broader Westmead Precinct strategic work and not through a site specific planning proposal.

–    The actual traffic generation will be determined at the Development Application stage at which further detailed traffic modelling and analysis will be undertaken. This requirement together with other traffic and transport provisions such as maximum car parking rates, a modal split target of 35% public transport usage and the provision for bicycle car parking have been inserted in the site specific DCP. These provisions are designed to reduce private vehicle usage.

–    The scale and form of development proposed should enhance the environmental quality of the site through the retention of heritage buildings, the provision of landscaping and a town square, and appropriate building envelopes, which will enhance the amenity of the surrounding area.

–    The university has it advised that it will continue to have a presence on the site, specifically the UWS College offering English and professional community programs.

Information session attendees

The proposed development could aggravate traffic conditions in Westmead.

 

The actual traffic generation will be determined at the Development Application stage at which further detailed traffic modelling and analysis will be undertaken. This requirement together with other traffic and transport provisions such as maximum car parking rates, a modal split target of 35% public transport usage and the provision for bicycle car parking have been inserted in the site specific DCP. These provisions are designed to reduce private vehicle usage.

The scale of development is excessive and could attract more people leading to social issues.

 

–    The scale of development is appropriate being generally in line with concept plans for the Westmead precinct. In addition, the proposals achieve a high intensity mixed use development in close proximity to public transport and have been designed to be in keeping with the character of the adjacent area.

–    The development has the potential to provide accommodation for a broad range of social groups and also community facilities.  Therefore, the development should have a positive social outcome.

The proposed high rise buildings could impact on views from Parramatta Park.

 

The results of investigations are that it will be difficult to discern the physical massing and built form of future development on the site from within Parramatta Park. Potential views will be filtered by distance, intervening urban development, the extensive stands of vegetation and the topographical changes across Parramatta Park. This situation tends to internalise the views and vistas available to visitors and users of the various spaces within the Park