PlanningAlerts

3 Comments

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1. As a long term Toxteth Avenue Austinmer resident, with generations of connection with the Glastonbury Gardens precinct of Austinmer, I would like to draw attention to the need for any proposal regarding development adjacent to the park area be viewed by council with consideration of the impact on the park and local amenity. Many wedding, functions, formal and informal events occur in Glastonbury Gardens and it is a valuable and much loved part of Austinmer and the northern suburbs, bringing much pleasure to the community. As much as possible in the areas surrounding the park the retention of trees and general greenery and landscaping, or required replacement if tree removal is absolutely necessary, must be a serious consideration. The proposed development does not specifically indicate that this site, being at the Toxteth Street entrance to Glastonbury Gardens, must be considered in relation to maintaining the general amenity of the park as a priority. This special feature and necessary consideration for this particular site is not highlighted in the proposal.
   I would ask that the general streetscape be maintained in terms of street planting of trees, particularly noting that in comparison to the leafy western end of Toxteth Avenue the eastern end is less appealing due to the lack of street trees.
   A general concern exists locally that the development of the eastern end of Toxteth Avenue with much larger dwellings covering more land area on each block, with less trees and vegetation, is significantly changing the nature of the area and compromising the very qualities that attract visitors and residents. Rigorous assessment of dwelling size and impact in relation to the immediate environment, not just general Wollongong requirements, must be implemented. I do have concerns about the current proposal being 2 storey and 2 dwellings with 2 garage frontages, but if generous street and block plantings of trees and shrubs are enforced the impact of the development on the street and park environment may be reduced.

2. This area, with increasing traffic issues, cannot support further dual occupancies.
   Moreover, the proposed dwelling is much bigger than neighbouring structures, will significantly alter the character of the street and will be strongly opposed by many local residents.

3. Please note: You may add your comments to this public forum but this is not a submission to Wollongong Council and they will not review it. If you do wish to comment to the council assessing the DA, then you must go to their website and open the DA 2019/25 and email a submission.

   My concerns include but are not limited to:
   1. The precedent set in this area by intent to have a dual occupancy development on a small residential block too small for a dual occupancy development, and then to circumvent minimum WLEP requirements by subdividing the block after construction.
   2. The suitability of this residential site for this type of development, in part related to inadequate width at 12.86 m. As the minimum requirement is 15 m it is not possible to build 2 dwellings of this size without causing overshadowing, markedly reduced solar access and invading privacy to the neighbours.
   3. The dominating and bulky appearance of the structure on the streetscape is without precedence in our suburb, at 9 m height (maximum permitted), occupying the width of the block at double storey height, with the non-complying excessive width of the garages and solid masonry fence and removal of the mature avenue trees on the nature strip
   4. The lack of character, where dwellings are generally being built or renovated to relate to the coastal environment, and sympathetic to the existing architecture and heritage of the northern suburbs of Wollongong.
   5. The number of non-complying features, for which the developer has requested WDCP 2009 planning controls to be varied. I understand Council can give scope for variations as long as other controls are met, but controls have not been met in terms of Minimum Site Width, Solar Access & Privacy.
   6. The effect on the amenity of the Glastonbury Gardens to all those who come to the park, with this large and prominent dwelling protruding into the main access point of the park.
   7. Increased traffic congestion (more cars, less kerb-side parking due to driveways); during summer months the parking situation is already dire, with people visiting the beach and the ocean pools parking in Toxteth Avenue.
   8. The effect on the natural environment, with an Arborist's Report suggesting every tree on the site, both the street trees and even a tree in the neighbouring Glastonbury Gardens can be removed. Considering the current appearance of the block, this is a significant visual disturbance and detriment to the park and street.

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