65 A Barton Street, Kogarah NSW 2217

Dear Sir or Madam:

As long term residents of Hawthorne Street, we strongly oppose the approval of the development proposal DA-2018/293 at the adjacent tennis courts.

This application has a striking resemblance to the development at 369E Bexley Road, Bexley by the same applicant Golden Goal Pty Ltd . We believe that this application is the first stage in their intention (business model) to convert the existing tennis court facilities into multi purpose or “5 a side” soccer fields. Such augmented use and development would significantly impact the number of people using the facility with negative noise, traffic and environmental impacts to the local residents.

In relation to this application as it stands, with the installation of 36 x 8 meter high lighting towers for the purpose of playing tennis at night, we have a number of concerns that are the basis of our objection:

General Usage:
With the addition of outdoor lighting to the facility, what guarantees or restrictions can the council place to ensure that the facility is only used for the continuing purpose of playing tennis?

Hours of Operation:
As stated in the application the current approved hours of operation for the facility are from 8:00am to 11:00pm, 7 days a week. However, with the lack of current lighting, the hours of operation are effectively restricted to daylight hours. (ie 5pm in winter through to 7pm in the daylight saving summer months.) The addition of lighting would therefore dramatically increase the actual hours of operation.

Acoustic Noise Impacts:
The effective increased hours of operation into the night up to 11:00pm are of high concern to the residents. This is a quiet residential street with many families with young children. With six courts playing doubles tennis there could potentially be 24 people (without considering spectators) enthusiastically yelling and playing late into the night when residents can typically expected to relax or sleep. Concerns are also for players loitering and talking loudly around the car spaces in the street directly out the front of resident’s properties potentially past the facilities approved operating hours. Increased evening traffic and vehicle noise pollution must also be taken into consideration.
With reference to the NSW Government Environment Protection Authority’s guidelines on acceptable noise levels of background noise plus 5dBA, can the council ensure the residents that post the development that the applicant can achieve this without the addition of any noise restricting measures? Is the submission of an independent acoustic impact report required as part of the DA application process.

Light Spill / Use
Can the council guarantee that the proposed Development application conforms to AS 4282:1997 Control of the obtrusive effects of outdoor lighting in order to minimise the impact on adjacent residents? Further to this has appropriate Environment Impact surveys been requested to ensure local fauna are not negatively impacted? Are any other control measures required as part of the DA approval to ensure that lights are not used outside of the approved hours of operation such as curfew switches?

Limited Parking
Parking is limited in Hawthorne Street. At many times parking demand is under considerable strain with the public utilising other local public recreational facilities such as adjacent play equipment and park facilities. Various church, dance and social groups also utilise the adjacent hall most evenings. This DA makes no consideration for the expected impact on parking around resident’s properties in the immediate area from the expected increased number of players or visitors.

We strongly urge you to take into careful consideration the concerns of the local residents when reviewing this DA application.