1 Cliff Road Epping NSW 2121

This is so totally dishonest as it is not a photo of 1 Cliff Road which is now a humongous 6 storey block of units. This proposed "stone block" has huge red Chinese letters emblazoned across the front and faces directly into Rosebank Avenue. We were told by a councillor from Hornsby Council when the units around here were first mooted, that Rosebank, as a Heritage Conservation Area, would be protected and we would look out onto suitably sympathetic "heritage" constructions. We were lied to. He also told us we were "collateral damage". We are also greeted by washing on the balconies whenever we go out the front or pass by. The abovementioned sign is rubbing salt into the wound. We now have 6 storey units behind to our back fence and soon down the side.

Kate> Had the name of the building be in Italian, French or some other Indo European language, I'm sure you wouldn't object as much.

Here we go Patrick, as soon as we say something it's racist. Do you live around here? Our community is not what it used to be and I, and many others, do not like it. I feel as though we are living in an alien world and it's all a bit much. The trees are coming down, or not planted in the first place, as the Asian incomers do not like trees. There I've said it even though I may be pilloried. My two doctors and very left-leaning sister-in-law all say what is happening to this neighbourhood is just overwhelming. No wonder the Brits voted for Brexit. This was once a beaut place to live but it certainly is no longer. Unless you are experiencing the same problems Patrick, you have no right to comment. Do you like washing hanging from every nearby balcony? Do you like looking at people's bloomers or tripping over abandoned trolleys?

Patrick, This sign is all about exclusion. Besides the offending sign there are huge ying and yang signs in the grounds and Cantonese in the vestibule near the letter boxes. There's no translation. The name on the stone block, which was erected illegally along with other things in these units, is after some revered institution of learning, solely understood by Cantonese speakers, which excludes the rest of us.
You know that old saying "It is better to beg forgiveness than ask for permission", that well and truly applies here as well as a lot of new developments around here. As I said in my original comment, we were promised a sympathetic outlook from this heritage street, as prescribed by Hornsby Council and look what we get. I'll whinge all I like, thank you Patrick.

Kate, I am appalled by your comments.

"trees are coming down, as the Asian incomers do not like trees"
How can you make such sweeping generalisations about Asian not liking trees and blame Asian Australians for deforestation of Epping.
First of all, it is the Council that approves tree removal applications and the applicants to remove the trees are local residents (who are predominantly of Anglo Saxon background).

" washing hanging from EVERY nearby balcony"
Yes, I do see washing hanging from SOME balconies which is an eyesore. However, how do you know that these "washings" belong to "Asian" residents? Furthermore, this is an issue with strata management not performing their duty to enforce their existing rules on washings on balconies. Should you not be targeting them rather than once again blaming on "Asian incomers" based on your own personal observations?

"tripping over abandoned trolleys"
Last time I saw someone push a trolley along Carlingford Rd was a white Australian woman in her 50s. Could it be you or M McCartney or Christine Beasley? Whoever it is, I wouldn't place blanket blame on all middle aged "Australian" women for the trolleys being dumped in Epping.

"I feel as though we are living in an alien world and it's all a bit much"
If you don't like the way Epping is transforming, you can always leave. There are other places that you may be suited such as Ipswich QLD. Thanks to "Asians", you should be able to fetch a great price on your house and live comfortably there. Perhaps you can run your own fish and chip shop as well.

With people like you, Nazis were able to take control Germany and the Apartheid system installed in South Africa. Hope people will remember the quote "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".

I am disgusted by your blatant racism and I hope this is not what the Epping tree lobby is about.

I wonder why the Epping tree lobby group are so vocal? Is it perhaps to keep secret their nightly KK Klan meetings in Terrys creek forest?

Regarding the Chinese characters... its a free country and I dont see any issues with it. Infact I see no difference between this and latin/french names and phrases plastered all over Sydney.

Kate Chivers, do not let the stupids get to you. There would be far more people agreeing with your comments as not. As a resident of Epping for over 35 years, we abandoned it a couple of years ago. Your only hope would be to sell up now and make as much money from the deal as possible. The beautiful Australian bushland suburb of Epping is gone forever. And don’t think this slum city will have clearly defined boundaries. It is going to spread quickly outwards and you will end up with a 6 story edifice next to you if you stay long enough. I abhor those who immediately yell “racist”to stifle any dissent. Ignore them, and hope they end up with a block of units with flapping laundry next to them one day soon.

Thank you Cheryl for your support and for having the intestinal fortitude to use your proper name as others commenting don't have the gumption to do so.

Cheryl Hayward - thank you. We have 6 storey units to our back fence metres away from living space and soon to have 6 storey units down the side one house away. This area is a travesty. I know many others support my view but thank you for having the gumption to support me and by giving your name, something others haven't had the intestinal fortitude to do.

Such hyperbole Marc and Betty! I’m sorry to hear I may be responsible for the demise of the western world. Your comments are hysterical.

Have you people seen the sign that I complain about, one that was put up without Council permission. It is so big and confronting that it featured in two newspapers and the news on evening television. It was said to be something not seen before in any other parts of Sydney – so far!

I think you were so excited to show what wonderfully inclusive members of society you are you didn’t read my comments properly.
Asian people do not like trees. Trees come down without Council permission around here. Show me a newly constructed house built by Asian people which includes a tree or even abundant shrubs instead of the ubiquitous box hedge and grass. We need trees to survive "Betty".
I’m sick of some people closing down all conversation and screaming “racist” and attaching other stupid, nasty tags, at the slightest provocation but I suppose you need to get your fun somehow. I’ll now go and shave off my moustache, and remove my hood, don’t want to give too much away.

Don't over estimate yourself. No one said you are responsible for the demise of the western world. However, collectively..... uneducated, racist and short sighted masses have been on occasion.

My neighbour is from Taiwan and they have rebuilt their home and preserved all existing trees (all except for one which was under 5m tall). However, local Aussie family across the road cut down trees (Turpentines) to let more sunlight into their backyard. Excuse that they had was it was within 3m of a old rusty shed that they don't even use.

How do you reconcile that to your world view on Asians swamping Epping and being the sole cause of trees being cut down?

"Tree preservation" and "heritage conservation" are just tools which you use and a veil to hide your underlying xenophobic agenda.

I agree with Cheryl on one point. Just sell up and leave. Epping would be better off without you.

Interestingly Patrick Brewis, nobody mentioned being “swamped by Asians” until you did, but our once beautiful suburb certainly has been. And that’s a fact, racist or not.

Chery> it was strongly implied along with other anti Asian/Chinese comments.

"Our community is not what it used to be and I, and many others, do not like it. I feel as though we are living in an alien world and it's all a bit much"

"trees are coming down, or not planted in the first place, as the Asian incomers do not like trees"

"No wonder the Brits voted for Brexit"

Cheryl, I find your following comment amusing..... "nobody mentioned being swamped by Asians until you did, but our once beautiful suburb certainly has been".

It's an interesting sentence where "influx of Asians" and "description of Epping as beautiful in past tense" are put together.

You're not seriously linking Asians and destruction of Epping's beauty, are you?

If so, could you please explain how that is case? How is it that Asians are to be blamed for robbing of Epping's beauty?

Patrick Brewis, do not try and twist my words to suit your narrative. Of course any immigrant group needing housing will flock to where there happens to be plentiful, cheap supply. And the developers that know this are very much in evidence in Epping; a great many of them are also from elsewhere. But unfortunately I don’t have to explain. It’s so obvious that no explanation is necessary.

I am not twisting your words. You said it yourself. You're blaming Asians for taking away Epping's beauty. Why would you do that? What is it that it's "so obvious that no explanation is necessary"?

Also, I wouldn't call the new apartments in Epping cheap. They're selling off the plan for almost a million for a 2 bedder. Beyond the capacity of many long term residents of Epping unless they sell their house.

The funny thing is, Rosebank Avenue and Essex Street were actually going to be rezoned but there were alot of vocal residents that maintained there street should be protected for a number of years and Council kept putting it off, so when it came time to rezoning, the state government listed both streets as a heritage conservation area..

Cheryl and Kate your comments are so derogatory and racist i'm surprised it hasn't been taken down already - comments like "as the Asian incomers do not like trees" how is this not racist? I'm an Asian Australian who has lived in Epping for the past 25 years. I get it, lots of apartments are going up and the suburb is transforming. But why are you (impliedly) blaming Asians for all the seemingly negative things happening around Epping?

I came here as an immigrant 25 years ago and Australia was very foreign to me when i first landed. You can't blame Asians and other immigrant groups living in social communities together to be able to get through the hardships of immigrant life. I have 2 kids and i sincerely hope (although i know it is highly unlikely) that they don't have to deal with people like you. You should really take a good look at yourself and have an open mind.

John, I'm sorry I've offended you. This all started because the development up the street illegally put in a huge, never seen in Sydney before, stone "item" with red Chinese letters emblazoned across it and no translation. Council asked for the sign to be removed but the developer has appealed. The sign is so confronting that it featured in two newspapers and on the evening news. Do you say we shouldn't object??? I know how nationalistic China is, and could never imagine this country embracing such a huge sign in English. Also, if you doubt my words about Asian people not liking trees, please contact the Council. Of course, they will be terribly circumspect about what they say, but let me tell you they have certainly spoken of this to us as have many locals. Also, as I said, please point out a new garden built around a recently constructed Asian house that features a newly planted tree or even abundant shrubbery. I know you don't understand how so many of us feel about the dramatic change of community which was featured as "the Bushland Shire" but that's not your problem. There are so many people waiting to vent their spleen whenever someone suggests anything anti their own views - some of them vile and hysterical, much worse than what they accuse me of.

Kate, if you're offended by a sign emblazoned with Chinese characters then fine, complain about it to council and object - that doesn't concern me at all. What I am however concerned about is your sentiment towards Asians as a whole and the blanket generalisations you are making towards one race. Ok, so perhaps a couple of Asian people have wanted some trees removed, but how do you from that, draw the conclusion that Asians don't like trees? What a ludicrous and outright racist thing to say.

Sure, please come over to my house or my parents house as we are very avid gardeners. In fact, we used to live next to a caucasian couple who did not tend to their gardens to such an extent that weeds were all over their garden - it was rather unsightly. Now, you don't see me saying based on this one incident that all Caucasians hate gardening and like to leave their gardens to look like weedfest.

I'm sorry you feel so strongly about the fact that Epping is not what it used to be. However, rather than venting your anger towards Asians, perhaps you should be diverting that rage to the council (who, i'm sure you know are predominantly caucasian) as to why they are approving so many developments to go up. Ultimately, if you don't like the area then pack up your bags and leave. Simple.

At the end of the day trees need to be removed to make way for the units, its only trees on the periphery of a development that can remain i.e st trees or along the immediate boundaries, however, in my experience as a town planner, generally what they remove they are required to put in double the amount of canopy trees, the problem is the trees planted are little higher then 1.5m high which take years to grow, this comes down to developers trying to save a buck, i would love to see what some of these units will look like once the trees have matured,
P.S Exception to the rule being shitty certifiers which sign off on landscape plans approved by Council when the developer has only planted grass and a few franjapanis, LOOK AT DA/1505/2014 and then see what they actually planted, Contact Parra Council to make sure these developers comply

John, thank you for your reply. I'm genuinely glad that you and your parents are avid gardeners as this has always been until recently a garden suburb where we loved its verdant qualities. I speak from my observations around here about gardens and speaking with tree officers from Hornsby and Parramatta Councils. I actually did a study and have a series of photographs on "gardens" around newly developed houses - mostly they are grass with the ubiquitous box hedge - I have yet to see a tree or large shrub planted. How can a statement of fact be racist. We go out of our way to smile at Asian people and say goodday when out walking, and they usually smile and say goodday in return.
Why is it racist to say that I sometimes feel like an alien in my community which I do as Caucasians around here are now a minority and the change has been overwhelming fast. From lovely nearby single houses we are literally surrounded back and side by 6 storey units.
In the newsagents there are commercial signs totally in Chinese (not a hint of a translation); there are different posters continually stuck up all around Epping totally in Chinese; there's personal advertising in Chinese stuck up here and there - the list goes on - that's why we are starting to feel we live in an alien environment. Some of the things going on around here amount to reverse racism but let's not start that.
We have been here for nearly 43 years and I find your comment that we should pack up our bags and move if we don't like it a bit nasty. There seems to be an hysteria whenever someone mentions anything about immigration. Nobody is allowed to say anything. Why don't you come around and have a cup of tea, have a look around and see why we are upset? You'd be very welcome

The quality of some the "landscaping" around here is Cheap and nasty, just like the unit blocks. I have written to Parramatta Council and had no feedback. Trees that have been taped to uprights with no ability to grow, have been planted in the council verge and may die. My husband has spoken to workers as they have tried to wrongly plant big trees in small holes- they said they were just labourers on the site and didn't have a clue about plants.

Your best to talk to the Councillors Kate, At Hornsby alot of action has happened with regards to tree protection and enforcing developers to plant what the landscape plans required them to plant due to the new recently elected Councillors taking interest, One of the Councillors made the tree team do an Audit of all completed units and found that only 30% had planted what they were meant to, i dont know what action is being taken with regards to the developers or the certifiers but its a start

I feel shame when seeing the big red Chinese sign in front of the building, although I am a Chinese. Since the developers completely showed no respect to local residents, misleading overseas buyers. From their behaviours, people can arguably believe they do the same to our trees.

Thank you Ken.

Thank you Rob Tortelli, I have written to Council on a number of occasions about trees in and outside local developments but haven't received an acknowledgement.
We have been places where buildings and houses are very "ordinary" but abundant trees and shrubs hide the ugliness of the locality and the place looks and feels so much better. With the fumes emanating from heavy traffic on Carlingford Road and surrounds we must have trees as an antidote.