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1. Dear Northern Territory Lands Group,

   I oppose the proposed development at 4 BLAKE ST, THE GARDENS.

   My reasons are as follows:

   First, it is incongruous to even contemplate building a tower complex in the tiny enclave suburb of The Gardens. The surrounding dwellings are all one or two storeys. Any proposed development should be capped at two storeys.

   Second, this is Community Purpose land and should never have been rezoned. The actions of the Minister at the time were disgraceful. The community voted recently and elected a new government, which reflects community opinion on the subject.

   Third, I attended a community meeting on this site and many local residents also attended, unanimously opposed to any development or tower on this site. Community Purpose land. Community meeting. Community totally opposed to the construction of a tower. The message is clear.

   Fourth, I understand the developer is proposing 115 units in a 7 storey building with commercial on ground level and basement carparking for 252 cars.
   Roughly this will be 115 units over 6 stories which is an average of 20 units per floor over two tower blocks.
   From the drawings the proposed construction is column and suspended cement slab and is architecturally featureless.
   There does not appear to be any set backs, no significant landscaping and the pool looks undersized therefore tokenistic.
   The chosen design is to maximise the number of apartments which can be squeezed on the block rather than what is the best design for the block and the location.
   There appears to be no consideration or attempt to be sympathetic to the character of the surrounding suburb which is low density detached housing and town houses.
   This is what you might describe as an Hong Kong style development.
   The design gives no consideration to the Darwin climate, through passive cooling design features such as orientation, maximising shade and cross breezes - without these architectural considerations the occupants will be dependent on airconditioning and be burdened with an estimated electricity cost of $6,000 to $12,000 per year or more.
   This development is a hit and run. It is designed to maximise the capital return to the developer with no consideration to the ongoing operational costs, comfort or experience of the occupants long term.
   If this development goes ahead it will be called a failure of public policy.
   There is a case for government intervention to stop these suburban hot boxes which will ultimately become the slums of tomorrow.

   Fifth, my view across the golf course towards the Gardens will be marred by this development. My view currently is beautiful, but this tower will be ugly.

   I sincerely hope you will heed the views of local residents like myself and decline this application. Thank you.

   Yours sincerely,

   Sharon Scurr

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