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16 Comments

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1. This proposal will destroy the heritage value of the area and create traffic chaos

   The height proposed is totally unacceptable and flies in the face of community opinion, good urban design, heritage values and consistency with the immediate vicinity which includes streets in Woollahra Council area. It will be visual pollution, impact on many residences and cast shadows over Centennial Park from where it will be a highly visible eyesore. Any development approved must be within the 2012 LEP height limits.

   It should not destroy the terraces which have stood there as evidence of what the area used to look like. Any development, as well as being of lower height, should incorporate and maintain at least the frontages of these terraces.

   Nelson Street should not be changed simply to accommodate the development as this will have traffic impacts on Grafton Street and Leswell Street with flow-on effects on Mill Hill Road and Ruthven Street. Nelson street with traffic lights at Oxford Street is the current and most efficient route for vehicles travelling to and from Oxford Street.

   The traffic impact at York Road will be severe and negative. The development should not impact land which is currently a public road and should not change the traffic access from York Road the Oxford Street and Ocean Street. There is no sound traffic management reason to do this and it will create bottlenecks and additional traffic into residential streets.

   In summary there can be no reason for this proposal other than financial gain for the developer, with which Council and the State government must not be complicit. The solution is simply the status quo of the height limits in the 2012 LEP and the developer should be invited to submit an application consistent therewith.

2. The proposal to amend the Waverley Local Environmental Plan 2012 to increase the maximum building height from 15m to 38m and increase the floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 5:1 to allow for the proposed development of 194-214 Oxford Street and 2 Nelson Street, Bondi Junction has been lodged by the developer after the developer's application to do so was rejected by Waverley Council.

   Waverley Council rejected the application for good reason. The relevant LEP was enacted only 4 years ago following appropriate consideration by the Council and consultation with the local community. The maximum building height and floor space ratios are entirely appropriate and should be maintained for this part of Bondi Junction.

   The proposed development site is the western end of Bondi Junction adjacent to, and overlooking, Centennial Park. This site is also adjacent to Mill Hill Conservation Area of Bondi Junction where the dwellings are subject to development restrictions to maintain the conservation value of the area. The proposed development is totally out of character with this.

   Bondi Junction is already over capacity in terms of traffic. There is a continuous stream of traffic along Oxford Street and York Roads, Bondi Junction as well as from Syd Enfield Drive onto Oxford Street. The intersections of York Road and Oxford Street and Nelson and Oxford Streets are over capacity. There is a constant stream of bicycle riders along Oxford Street. The proposed development site is opposite Waverley Bus Depot which has numerous bus movements in and out of the depot onto Oxford Street and it is adjacent to and opposite bus stops where the buses lay over while carrying out bus driver changes. It would be impossible for Oxford Street, Nelson Street, York Road and the surrounding streets to cope with the additional traffic that would be generated by a development of this size. The movement of buses around the depot must not be detrimentally affected by this development.

   The western end of Oxford Street, Bondi Junction is consistently low rise which allows for sunlight. It has a community village atmosphere. it is the only part of Bondi Junction where the retail shops are fully leased. This is because of the low rise, sunny, village atmosphere. It is a welcoming and enjoyable place to shop. To change the zoning to allow this proposed development would completely destroy the amenity, vibrancy and retail success of this area.

   Bondi Junction is already over capacity in terms of population, particularly considering the infrastructure, public amenities and traffic issues. At present, there are multiple storey commercial/residential buildings being constructed along Oxford Street between Bondi Road and Waverley Mall and about to be constructed between Newland Street and Denison Street. These additional developments are negatively impacting the area and will create shadowing and wind tunnel effects.

   A proposal to change the 2012 LEP to increase the maximum building height from 15m to 38m and the floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 5:1 for this development site is completely unacceptable. This is not a small variation to the LEP, it is a variation that is more than twice the current limits. This should be sufficient to reject the proposal outright.

   If the proposed change is made to the 2012 LEP, this will also create a precedent for the surrounding area which cannot be allowed to happen.

   It is essential that no variation is made to the 2012 LEP for this proposed development.

3. I completely agree with April Campbell and Eric Scott. The BJ infrastructure cannot cope with these high rises proposed, plus it will be a complete eyesore for those entering the Waverley Council area.

4. I completely agree with the above comments.

   Waverley Council had already rejected the developers proposal. Why would increase the height and floor space ratio to allow such an inappropriate and out of character buildings to be developed??
   We need to value and appreciate the heritage and character of the western end of Bondi Junction. Not to mention the impact a change could have on Centennial Park and the already congested traffic. If we don't do it now, we'll end with an over populated suburb with roads that can't cope.

   This proposal is not a small variation to the LEP, it is a variation that is more than twice the current limits. This should be immediately rejected. Waverley council you need to listen to your residents.

5. I object to the proposal to amend the Waverley Local Environmental Plan 2012 to increase the maximum building height from 15m to 38m and increase the floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 5:1 to allow for the proposed development of 194-214 Oxford Street and 2 Nelson Street, Bondi Junction.

   Waverley Council has previously rejected the application from the developer as it contravenes the relevant LEP. The maximum building height and floor space ratios of the LEP are entirely appropriate and should be maintained for this part of Bondi Junction.

   The proposed development is totally out of character with the surrounding area, Including the conservation area if mill hill. The western end of Oxford Street, Bondi Junction is consistently low rise which allows for sunlight. It has a community village atmosphere. it is the only part of Bondi Junction where the retail shops are fully leased. This is because of the low rise, sunny, village atmosphere. It is a welcoming and enjoyable place to shop. To change the zoning to allow this proposed development would completely destroy the amenity, vibrancy and retail success of this area.

   Bondi Junction is already over capacity in terms of population, particularly considering the infrastructure, public amenities and traffic issues.

   A proposal to change the 2012 LEP to increase the maximum building height from 15m to 38m and the floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 5:1 for this development site is completely unacceptable. This is not a small variation to the LEP, it is a variation that is more than twice the current limits. This should be sufficient to reject the proposal outright.

   It is essential that no variation is made to the 2012 LEP for this proposed development.

6. I too strongly object to the comments made against this over sized delevopment and the negative impact it WILL have on our already crowded but lovely area .

   B Dyas

7. The decision to reject the proposal was not taken lightly but after significant consideration by the Council and extensive community consultation. This decision should be respected and the proposal should again be rejected as the proposal is totally unacceptable and out of character for the local area.

   If the proposal is accepted it will result in significant loss. This will include economic loss in terms of the excessive traffic congestions and delays, including private transport given the high level of traffic already on Oxford and surrounding streets. It will also result in significant delays and congestion for buses using the Waverley bus depot. Given the area's growing population reliance on public transport will only increase thereby increasing the traffic load surrounding Waverley Bus depot. This and the additional visual and noise pollution by such an excessive development is easily measured and should be enough to reject the proposal. What is less easily quantifiably but no less important is the loss of local heritage and history.

   For residents and visitors, the western entrance to Bondi Junction should be the beauty and reverence of Centennial Park, the Mill Hill conservation area and its eclectic selection of terraces demonstrating decades of history. It must not be a monstrosity of a building that will tower over the surrounding architecture, casting long shadows and light pollution for residents and park users as well as creating traffic chaos.

   The LEP clearly sets suitable and sustainable height limits for buildings in Bondi Junction. The high rise developments of the eastern end of Bondi Junction continue to grow in number and height, thereby providing a consistent approach to architecture, design and community expectations, as well as sufficient commercial and residential spaces. Bondi Junction does not, and should not, spread this type of urban development to all corners of Bondi Junction, particularly as there is no chronic shortage of such commercial or residential spaces.

   The proposal to amend the LEP and increase the maximum building height from 15m to 38m and increase the floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 5:1 is totally unacceptable. There is no need for such an excessive change to the LEP as it will destroy the local heritage, history and attraction of Bondi Junction. The beauty and attraction of Bondi Junction comes from the various mix of areas – from commercial & shopping centres, pedestrian malls and transport hubs to serene parklands, historical features and residential areas. If this development is approved it will destroy the local heritage of west Bondi Junction and instead introduce a high rise eyesore that will lead to over population and traffic chaos. Further, if the proposal is approved it will cause significant shadowing over Centennial Park.

   The public infrastructure in western Bondi Junction cannot cope with such a high rise development. The Nelson/ Grafton St/ Leswell St/ York Rd/ Oxford St intersections and roads already have significant traffic delays most times of the day and I have personally seen a number of traffic accidents and been involved in a number of close calls. The risk and likelihood of these would only increase if such a development were to be approved.

   The LEP was only approved in 2012 and is the appropriate forum to manage development in the local area and should be adhered to. The community does not reject future development totally. In fact developments that are consistent with the LEP, including its height limits, are an opportunity for ongoing revitalisation and a strong future for the local community. However this development will significantly negatively impact the local community and heritage area and be an eyesore for decades to come.

8. There is no reasonable planning justification for this proposal. The LEP deliberately steps heights and density down from the core of the Bondi Junction CBD. This site is as remote from that centre as is possible within Bondi Junction.

   The concept of a "gateway site" and the suggestion that such sites are entitled to additional height as a delimiter to a particular precinct is farcical, especially when viewed in light of the above. Further, where excessive "gateway" developments have been approved, they tend to display very poor design merit as the design goal is to make them as conspicuous as possible. At a site so close the natural beauty of Centennial Park and the heritage street frontage of West Oxford St, such an outcome would be a travesty.

   Waverley Council has rejected this proposal for very sound reasons, and so should the Planning Panel.

   I support the submissions of Eric Scott, April Campbell, Bernadette Hayes and D McManus.

9. I agree with the above comments and note there are no comments in favour. It is outrageous and reeks of corruption and graft that allows this development to go through.

   Bondi junction is already a traffic jam in peak hours and all afternoon every day. This will only worsen the problem and turn the whole area into a gridlock. It's a nightmare for residents.

10. I object to the proposal to amend the Waverley Local Environmental Plan 2012 to increase the maximum building height from 15m to 38m and increase the floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 5:1 to allow for the proposed development of 194-214 Oxford Street and 2 Nelson Street, Bondi Junction.

    Having such an enormous development so close to Centennial Park will impact the beauty and amenity of the park, bring unacceptable levels of car and foot traffic and will entirely change the Western entrance to Bondi Junction.

    There is a lovely community atmosphere at this end of the Junction which is a welcome respite from the activity, noise and high rise of the centre of the junction. Furthermore, increasing the building height of the LEP will just encourage more and more high rise and the wind tunnel that exists in the Mall will further extend along Oxford Street. The high winds in the mall are already dangerous enough.

    Please don't ruin our neighbourhood!

11. I would like to add my voice of objection to the proposal to amend the Waverley Local Environmental Plan 2012 to increase the maximum building height from 15m to 38m and increase the floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 5:1 to allow for the proposed development of 194-214 Oxford Street and 2 Nelson Street, Bondi Junction.
    This area is so close to the adjacent Centennial Park that it will have a significant visual effect upon the outlook from Centennial Park. Buildings further East along Oxford Street are already very present visually from the Centennial Park and this building would have the appearance of being built within the park.
    Furthermore, the site in question is unsuitable for the traffic such a large additional population would create in that area, which is already overwhelmed by buses, cars cyclists and pedestrians.
    A development of a scale that follows such a modification of the LEP would be unsuitable for this area.

12. I oppose this application. That end of the Junction is already a terrible bottle neck and to add a large scale development like this will detrimentally impact on the area. Unless the infrastructure is upgraded, it cannot possibly cope with this development.

13. I object to the proposal to amend the Waverley Local Environmental Plan 2012 to increase the maximum building height from 15m to 38m and increase the floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 5:1 to allow for the proposed development of 194-214 Oxford Street and 2 Nelson Street, Bondi Junction.

    Waverley Council has previously rejected the application from the developer as it contravenes the relevant LEP. The maximum building height and floor space ratios of the LEP are entirely appropriate and should be maintained for this part of Bondi Junction.

    The proposed development is totally out of character with the surrounding area, Including the conservation area if mill hill. The western end of Oxford Street, Bondi Junction is consistently low rise which allows for sunlight. It has a community village atmosphere. it is the only part of Bondi Junction where the retail shops are fully leased. This is because of the low rise, sunny, village atmosphere. It is a welcoming and enjoyable place to shop. To change the zoning to allow this proposed development would completely destroy the amenity, vibrancy and retail success of this area.

    Bondi Junction is already over capacity in terms of population, particularly considering the infrastructure, public amenities and traffic issues.

    A proposal to change the 2012 LEP to increase the maximum building height from 15m to 38m and the floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 5:1 for this development site is completely unacceptable. This is not a small variation to the LEP, it is a variation that is more than twice the current limits. This should be sufficient to reject the proposal outright.

    It is essential that no variation is made to the 2012 LEP for this proposed development.

14. The added maximum building height from 15m to 28m and increased floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 5:1 will bring this forgotten little triangle of the West Oxford Street precinct and entrance to Bondi Junction, in to line with the rest of the eastern architecture.

    The area was given to Waverley Council late last decade, from Woollahra Council, and been in situ until the amalgamation of the councils, for the heights and floorspace to be adjusted for the future. As left, the FEW houses in the West Oxford Street precinct Bondi Junction, mainly Oxford and Grafton Streets, have been overlooked, rundown and turned into boarding houses, cut off 'residentially' from the rest of Bondi Junction. This upgrade is not just for the local area, it is for greater Sydney as a whole, halting the suburban sprawl to some extent, and potentially adding units that could have stamp duty relief for first home buyers (something that needs to be addressed by the State Government).

    Therefore, I think as an owner/occupier of a Grafton Street property, that I do not want to be overshadowed by the Oxford Street shops, and this could happen. You can't have an all or nothing outcome to the increases. I think the increase could be a GOOD thing, if it was managed properly - by widening Oxford Street, making the junction between Grafton and Nelson Streets a cul-de-sac, providing adequate parking, addressing the Nelson/Oxford Street lights and Oxford Street/York Road lights during peak traffic times, and by upgrading/redeveloping the building (perhaps covered by a climbing garden?) at Site 1 (Oxford Street site), the point/entrance to Bondi Junction, turning it into a visually stimulating structure, something that represents BONDI JUNCTION, not looking into run down share houses or boarding houses back yards, with washing hanging on the lines!

15. Correction: 15m to 38m

16. The attempt to increase from 15 metres to 38metres is obviously in the hope that approval will be granted around the 25 - 30 metre height.
    Why do developers always get approval for a lower height and then try to increase it ?
    I have never heard of a developer wanting to lower the height that was originally approved.

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