PlanningAlerts

17 Comments

Have your say by adding your own comment.

1. I object to this amendment.

   As a parent with 2 children attending the YMCA daycare I strongly object to these amendments.

   Increase in traffic - as there is already construction work being carried out at the Lumi site and half the street blocked off already, having the development go ahead will see even more traffic in the area. With an increase in construction vehicles using the shared driveway and also the potential for workers to occupy the spaces for the drop off and pick up at the daycare. With the shared driveway I am sure there will be many times it will be blocked off by construction vehicles making it impossible for access to the daycare car parks.
   Having an increase in traffic will be dangerous as children access their cars to and from the centre.

   Noise and dust - due to the proximity to the centre the increase in noise and dust will have an impact on the children's outside play especially those with asthma, allergies and sensitivities to loud noise.

   Privacy - as there are many proposed units looking straight into the daycare play area and also sections of the centre where nappies are changed and toilets used this is a breach of privacy for those children. How will you stop construction workers looking into these areas and also tenants once the building is complete.

   I hope you listen to all the concerns that are raised by all concerned parties regarding this

2. I object to this amendment that seems to show little to no concern for the existing facilities in within immediate vicinity the development itself.

   Shared driveway
   The only access to the 309 car park spaces in the new development is through the current YMCA driveway off Swain St used by all of our parents doing pick-up drop-off of their children. Having additional residents coming and going, and having to share the driveway with waste trucks (that have no turning circle so will be reversing into the driveway and blocking it for both directions of traffic while they do waste pickups) and delivery trucks doing drop offs creates serious concerns about access in and out of the driveway, as well as increasing safety risks for accidents and injuries.

   Traffic
   The additional units add more cars to the already significant traffic that will be coming and going around the development and surrounding roads in Gungahlin including Swain St, Gozzard St and Gundaroo Dr. The surrounding streets are already congested from construction workers, residents and commercial operators. The new development will exacerbate traffic issues and increase the risk of accidents and injuries.

   Parking
   The development does not provide parking for visitors, customers of the commercial tenancies or some of the units. This will place further pressure on parking in the surrounding areas and will result in more double-parking of residential and commercial properties and increased risk of accidents and injuries. For YMCA Canberra, it will most likely mean the parent car parking will be taken by users of the development so parent’s will not be able to do drop-off or pick-up.

   Privacy
   The development has nearly 100 apartments facing west and therefore looking into, or being able to look down into, the YMCA Gungahlin ELC. This includes where children have their nappies changed and use the toilets, rest, play and spend time outdoors. This contravenes the Human Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The original approval failed to adequately address this. The amendment tries to address it but still fails to adequately protect the privacy of the children. In addition, many apartments will have views into surrounding residential and commercial properties.

   This is just the beginning of a much longer list of issues around not only the amendment itself, but the development in its entirety.

   I sincerely hope the safety and well-being of our children, the staff, and all future children and staff of not only YMCA Gungahlin but other nearby childcare centres are taken into consideration in planning approval of this abomination.

3. As a close neighbour to this building I have clear objections to any further increase in the size of this building.
   I fear it will disturb the morning light into our property for during late spring, summer and early autumn.
   The street outside our house is already currently full of workman cars, and this will only continue and worsen with an increase size in the building. It will also become a prolonged issue.
   Population density in this area does not need to be and higher.
   We wish to live in a light, sustainable area and any effect of this will have negative impacts to our living.

   We also send our children to YMCA childcare directly next door. The dramatic size of this building and any additional residential space will impact noise, movement, traffic and the privacy of our children.
   Children spend much of the day outside playing, and with a decrease in natural light and warmth in the area I am concerned of longer term impact on vitamin D levels of children, the physical fitness of the children and other health issues if refined inside during the construction phase. Please remember some children are in this facility 5 days a week.

   I really hope you consider the impact the size of the building will have on us living and working in the area.

4. I sincerely object this. I very well know that Australian government looks after the health and safety of the citizens. In such a case building arising next to the daycare center is a safety, privacy, pollution And threat factor as well.

5. I sincerely object this. I very well know that Australian government looks after the health and safety of the citizens. In such a case building arising next to the daycare center is not safety, Affect privacy,Create pollution And increase threat factor as well.

6. No consideration for existing neighbouring properties, and most concerningly, the single level childcare centre right next door which is now threatened by a multi-storey building going up alongside it.
   A total lack of care, respect or privacy for the children right next door who currently enjoy sunlight and privacy, both of which will be taken away if this building goes ahead.

   A shared driveway into the proposed building and childcare centre. Traffic will not only be dangerous to children, but completely bottleneck Swain St, Gundaroo Dr and Gozzard St most days of the week.
   
   The nearby streets, especially Gundaroo Dr are already littered with cars every day from workers parking and leaving their cars, and this building will encourage that again due to the lack of proposed car spaces. This is not fair for the residents who live nearby this proposed building ti expect them to have residents and visitors filling up there streets to walk to the building.

   I normally wouldn’t cast an opinion on a new development unless it was certainly warranted, but this one calls for it. It should not happen.

7. I object to this application. It removes many of the amendments made to the original application that attempted to address issues raised by the community. Further more there are the following issues that should support the original being revoked:

   Shared driveway
   • The only access to the 309 car park spaces in the new development is through the current YMCA driveway off Swain St used by all of our parents doing pick-up drop-off of their children.  Having additional residents coming and going, and having to share the driveway with waste trucks (that have no turning circle so will be reversing into the driveway and blocking it for both directions of traffic while they do waste pickups) and delivery trucks doing drop offs creates serious concerns about access in and out of the driveway, as well as increasing safety risks for accidents and injuries.
    
   Traffic
   • The additional units add more cars to the already significant traffic that will be coming and going around the development and surrounding roads in Gungahlin including Swain St, Gozzard St and Gundaroo Dr. The surrounding streets are already congested from construction workers, residents and commercial operators. The new development will exacerbate traffic issues and increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
    
   Parking
   • The development does not provide parking for visitors, customers of the commercial tenancies or some of the units. This will place further pressure on parking in the surrounding areas and will result in more double-parking of residential and commercial properties and increased risk of accidents and injuries. For YMCA Canberra, it will most likely mean the parent car parking will be taken by users of the development so parent’s will not be able to do drop-off or pick-up.
    
   Privacy
   • The development has nearly 100 apartments facing west and therefore looking into, or being able to look down into, the YMCA Gungahlin ELC. This includes where children have their nappies changed and use the toilets, rest, play and spend time outdoors. This contravenes the Human Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The original approval failed to adequately address this. The amendment tries to address it but still fails to adequately protect the privacy of the children. In addition, many apartments will have views into surrounding residential and commercial properties.

8. I object to this amendment that seems to show little to no concern for the existing facilities in within immediate vicinity the development itself.

   Shared driveway
   The only access to the 309 car park spaces in the new development is through the current YMCA driveway off Swain St used by all of our parents doing pick-up drop-off of their children. Having additional residents coming and going, and having to share the driveway with waste trucks (that have no turning circle so will be reversing into the driveway and blocking it for both directions of traffic while they do waste pickups) and delivery trucks doing drop offs creates serious concerns about access in and out of the driveway, as well as increasing safety risks for accidents and injuries.

   Traffic
   The additional units add more cars to the already significant traffic that will be coming and going around the development and surrounding roads in Gungahlin including Swain St, Gozzard St and Gundaroo Dr. The surrounding streets are already congested from construction workers, residents and commercial operators. The new development will exacerbate traffic issues and increase the risk of accidents and injuries.

   Parking
   The development does not provide parking for visitors, customers of the commercial tenancies or some of the units. This will place further pressure on parking in the surrounding areas and will result in more double-parking of residential and commercial properties and increased risk of accidents and injuries. For YMCA Canberra, it will most likely mean the parent car parking will be taken by users of the development so parent’s will not be able to do drop-off or pick-up.

   Privacy
   The development has nearly 100 apartments facing west and therefore looking into, or being able to look down into, the YMCA Gungahlin ELC. This includes where children have their nappies changed and use the toilets, rest, play and spend time outdoors. This contravenes the Human Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The original approval failed to adequately address this. The amendment tries to address it but still fails to adequately protect the privacy of the children. In addition, many apartments will have views into surrounding residential and commercial properties.

   This is just the beginning of a much longer list of issues around not only the amendment itself, but the development in its entirety.

   I sincerely hope the safety and well-being of our children, the staff, and all future children and staff of not only YMCA Gungahlin but other nearby childcare centres are taken into consideration in planning approval of this abomination.

9. I object to this application. It removes many of the amendments made to the original application that attempted to address issues raised by the community.

   Shared driveway
   • The only access to the 309 car park spaces in the new development is through the current YMCA driveway off Swain St used by all of our parents doing pick-up drop-off of their children.

   Having additional residents coming and going, and having to share the driveway with waste trucks (that have no turning circle so will be reversing into the driveway and blocking it for both directions of traffic while they do waste pickups) and delivery trucks doing drop offs creates serious concerns about access in and out of the driveway, as well as increasing safety risks for accidents and injuries.

   Traffic
   • The additional units add more cars to the already significant traffic that will be coming and going around the development and surrounding roads in Gungahlin including Swain St, Gozzard St and Gundaroo Dr. The surrounding streets are already congested and traffic flow restricted from construction workers, residents and commercial operators. The new development will exacerbate traffic issues and increase the risk of accidents and injuries.

   Parking
   • The development does not provide parking for visitors, customers of the commercial tenancies or some of the units. This will place further pressure on parking in the surrounding areas and will result in more double-parking of residential and commercial properties and increased risk of accidents and injuries. For YMCA Canberra, it will most likely mean the parent car parking will be taken by users of the development so parent’s will not be able to do drop-off or pick-up.

   Privacy
   • The development has nearly 100 apartments facing west and therefore looking into, or being able to look down into, the YMCA Gungahlin ELC. This includes where children have their nappies changed and use the toilets, rest, play and spend time outdoors. This contravenes the Human Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The original approval failed to adequately address this. The amendment tries to address it but still fails to adequately protect the privacy of the children. In addition, many apartments will have views into surrounding residential and commercial properties.

10. I object to this application. It removes many of the amendments made to the original application that attempted to address issues raised by the community. Further more there are the following issues that should support the original being revoked:

    Shared driveway
    • The only access to the 309 car park spaces in the new development is through the current YMCA driveway off Swain St used by all of our parents doing pick-up drop-off of their children. Having additional residents coming and going, and having to share the driveway with waste trucks (that have no turning circle so will be reversing into the driveway and blocking it for both directions of traffic while they do waste pickups) and delivery trucks doing drop offs creates serious concerns about access in and out of the driveway, as well as increasing safety risks for accidents and injuries.

    Traffic
    • The additional units add more cars to the already significant traffic that will be coming and going around the development and surrounding roads in Gungahlin including Swain St, Gozzard St and Gundaroo Dr. The surrounding streets are already congested from construction workers, residents and commercial operators. The new development will exacerbate traffic issues and increase the risk of accidents and injuries.

    Parking
    • The development does not provide parking for visitors, customers of the commercial tenancies or some of the units. This will place further pressure on parking in the surrounding areas and will result in more double-parking of residential and commercial properties and increased risk of accidents and injuries. For YMCA Canberra, it will most likely mean the parent car parking will be taken by users of the development so parent’s will not be able to do drop-off or pick-up.

    Privacy
    • The development has nearly 100 apartments facing west and therefore looking into, or being able to look down into, the YMCA Gungahlin ELC. This includes where children have their nappies changed and use the toilets, rest, play and spend time outdoors. This contravenes the Human Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The original approval failed to adequately address this. The amendment tries to address it but still fails to adequately protect the privacy of the children. In addition, many apartments will have views into surrounding residential and commercial properties.

11. As an architect and parent of a child attending the YMCA Early Learning centre I’m seriously concerned by this proposed amendment.

    My primary concern is that this may be a planned and tactical attempt to exploit current planning/development/stimulus pressures in an effort to gain every inch possible in the interest of economic return.

    Why is this amendment really needed?
    Was there an error in the original plans - what is the exact missed opportunity that is now being sought? What additional opportunity is being offered to the community?

    It is my opinion that the building is already wrong for the site in regards to most criteria for enjoyable, healthy, and safe town planning.

    It shows disregard for site surrounding and neighbouring community use and is really disappointing to see.

    The proposed amendments make matters worse by putting additional pressure on issues such as car parking and safe neighbouring access, solar access for neighbouring developments and overlooking concerns.

    I fear what could be a lovely community area for the various childcare centres and residents is being turned into an imposing, cold and dark series of laneways.

    Please, can members of the ACT government ask critical questions of this proposal and stand up against development pressure on behalf of the community, particularly our youngest Canberrans. Thank you.

12. As an architect and parent of a child attending the YMCA Early Learning centre I’m seriously concerned by this proposed amendment.

    My primary concern is that this may be a planned and tactical attempt to exploit current planning/development/stimulus pressures in an effort to gain every inch possible in the interest of economic return.

    Why is this amendment really needed?
    Was there an error in the original plans - what is the exact missed opportunity that is now being sought? What additional opportunity is being offered to the community?

    It is my opinion that the building is already wrong for the site in regards to most criteria for enjoyable, healthy, and safe town planning.

    It shows disregard for site surrounding and neighbouring community use and is really disappointing to see.

    The proposed amendments make matters worse by putting additional pressure on issues such as car parking and safe neighbouring access, solar access for neighbouring developments and overlooking concerns.

    I fear what could be a lovely community area for the various childcare centres and residents is being turned into an imposing, cold and dark series of laneways.

    Please, can members of the ACT government ask critical questions of this proposal and stand up against development pressure on behalf of the community, particularly our youngest Canberrans. Thank you.

13. I strongly object to this development application amendment both as a resident of the area and as a parent of children attending the YMCA Gungahlin Early Learning Centre (ELC).

    On review of the amended DA documentation, this amendment application uses specific language that would appeal to the ACT Government in its claims but holds little regard to the impact on the existing community and neighbourhood, and gives the impression that the developer is looking to take advantage of an opportunity to increase the development offerings, which may result in a greater return on investment in their favour.

    The construction taking place currently on Swain and Gribble Streets is already causing traffic congestion and parking issues. There have been a number of occasions when there has been no parking available at the YMCA Gungahlin ELC due to construction workers parking there, despite clear signage stating that parking is for the Learning Centre only. Neighbouring streets are also littered everyday with cars belonging to construction workers being parked anywhere space is available including nature strips.

    The driveway off Swain Street used to access the YMCA Gungahlin ELC is only just wide enough now for two cars to pass and there is very limited space to navigate into and out of the car parks, with queueing often occurring during peak times in the driveway and on Swain Street as parents wait for a parking space to become available in order to drop-off or pick-up children from the Centre.

    This is going to become unimaginable not only during construction but on completion with all residents entering and exiting the basement of the apartment building via this driveway, during the same peak times that parents are accessing the Centre. This increased traffic to a narrow, shared driveway is not only going to increase the likelihood of vehicle accidents, it will pose a significant risk to the safety of young children.

    Parking spaces being proposed to the ground floor of the development is not going to provide any relief or solution to the traffic congestion or parking issues, it is only going to increase the volume of cars utilising the same shared driveway.

    Additional commercial tenancies being proposed to the ground floor of the development is also going to result in further increased traffic utilising the shared driveway, not to mention delivery or waste removal trucks blocking the driveway or parking bays as there is no turning circle or loading zones documented on the amended plans.

    These additional commercial tenancies would also impact considerably to existing residential neighbours with increased foot and vehicle traffic to the intersection, increased parking to the surrounding side streets and nature strips, and increased noise emissions from the drinks establishment, restaurant and indoor recreation facilities that these spaces are likely to be marketed as.

14. I strongly object to the amended development application.

    There are a a few concerns we have with the development, both throughout the construction and the finished development.

    During the construction there will be high disruption to traffic flow, which will be ongoing when the structure has been built. Unfortunately, there will still be the other major construction works occurring along Swain Street, at the same time.

    It is estimated that the block will be a construction site for approximately 2-3 years with an estimated start date of January 2021. During this time we may experience high volumes of noise and possible disruption for the children. We also anticipate that there will be an increase in dust due to the construction. I worry that the increase in dust may have an effect on children’s allergies and asthma symptoms.

    YMCA Gungahlin is a purpose built early education and care space, designed to maximise natural light for children and their environments. Natural light and sunshine has many proven health benefits and the design enabled us to continue our commitment to sustainability. Having our ELC covered in shadow for many hours during the day will not allow us to continue to be sustainable nor maintain our natural light filled playspaces.

    This development is no way in the best interest of the community, residence or businesses in the Gungahlin area.

15. I strongly object to this amended development application.

    The safety of children, staff and families of YMCA Gungahlin should be a priority here. I don't believe this current application supports such safety or is in the best interests of the community for the following reasons:

    1. Privacy
    YMCA early learning centre is purpose built to provide high quality education. This includes utilising natural light and windows. The current application would mean that areas where nappy changing, toileting, play and eating would be visible from the windows of the apartments.

    2. Shared driveway
    Sharing a driveway with so many apartment tenants puts the safety of staff, children and their families at risk every day. The driveway is barely currently wide enough to accomodate 2 cars passing and 6 or so cars parking, let alone sharing with hundreds of other people and cars. Quite simple, the extra traffic puts children at risk of being run over.

    3. Parking
    The development puts a massive strain on parking. Vistors to the apartments, tenants with extra vehicles and delivery drivers means that the YMCA car parks will be used for general public and not allow parents to safely and efficiently drop off and collect their children. Even with the current works in the area, the car parks are often used by work and construction vehicles.

    4. Traffic and construction
    A development on this scale will create a massive increase in traffic and construction mess. Parents will not be able to safely access the childcare centre. It is alresdy difficult with the current works in the area. Often cement trucks block the driveway. Adding more development in the area will make it very difficult to drop off and collect children. This in turn impacts the community as many parents are needing to get to work.

    I sincerely hope that these concerns can be addressed so that our children can remain safe and be given the early education they deserve.

    Thanks you for your consideration.

16. I object to this proposal.

    Having over 200 apartments with a shared driveway with an early learning centre is ridiculous. The driveway isn’t even particularly large. Also having no visitor parking for the development means visitors will take up the few car spaces for YMCA. I don’t particularly want to walk my children around such heavy traffic. It’s a huge risk to children’s safety. Also in this age group, primarily being children aged under five who attend YMCA, keeping them safe on the road and them wanting to run to daycare is hard enough. There should at least be a separate driveway to The Establishment and definitely visitor parking.
    The dust and noise during construction concerns me, I don’t want my children’s sleep being disturbed which it inevitably will be. Disturbed sleep really affects children’s health, yet another way The Establishment is putting children’s health at risk.

17. Can consideration be given to safe access from the development to Yerrabi Pond, such as a pedestrian overpass. This would be of benefit to children and their families in the area to avoid having to cross busy Gundaroo Drive in order to access outdoor recreational facilities.