All recent comments on applications from Hornsby Shire Council, NSW

Hornsby Council Officers
I do hope that regardless of any merits in the developers’ reasoning for additional floors and extra basement parking, in return, council are able to negotiate a 15% retention for social and/or affordable housing.
As well, it would be great to see many 3 bedroom units as recent research is showing that this size of dwelling is also of insufficient supply.

As a nearby resident, I'm delighted that the site owner has decided to proceed with construction. This large site has been an eyesore for too long.
I urge council to require that gas is not installed and that sustainability features are added such as solar panels, power to each parking spot (10 amp is sufficient) wired to the specific unit, on site storm water retention for common property watering.

Importantly, I'd trade increased height to allow for the funding of units reserved for social housing.

Finally, there is no reason to allow two parking spaces for each unit. This development is within easy walking distance to two train stations and extensive shopping facilities. Residents are better off having access to a car sharing scheme and improved bus routing as well as cycle paths.

I believe there are already enough medium to high density buildings in Hornsby and Waitara. More units will bring more cars. Our local streets, such as Edgeworth David Avenue and Alexandria Parade, were never designed to cope with all this extra traffic. These additional units have the possibility of adding another 336 cars to Park Avenue!

Should these units be approved, please ensure that EACH unit has TWO designated off-street parking spaces. Also allow for sufficient off-street parking for visitors, in addition to the residents' parking spaces. Street parking in this area has already exceeded capacity. People attending the PCYC and/or using the public park are unable to find casual parking spaces. People who choose to travel by train cannot park near the station.

The selection of Monument and similarly dark coloured roofing and cladding is adding to the problem of the heat island effect. These large blocks of land which up until now were a cooling space of green space are being turned into a mass of dark, heat absorbing and reflecting hard surfaces. The scant number of trees planned for the surrounding narrow landscape that even at full height in years to come will not alleviate the problem for the residents and neighbours when those roofs heat up during the day in summer and radiate the heat back into the air over night. This also means the residents will be forced to rely on air con to remain comfortable in their homes and being outside will be uncomfortable. As more of the R3 zones are developed surrounding this these buildings and select similar colours, the problem increases. Change the colours to reflect the heat, not absorb it.

Major concerns are about the car parking and traffic congestion that will already exists. Plus the safety for the large amount of pedestrian traffic from surrounding schools, being, children from Loreto Normanhurst, Normanhurst Boys, St Leos, Normanhurst Public and Barker which use the Normanhurst Train Station plus the general public.

I cannot see any documents uploaded yet, so I await those with anticipation. What is devastating is that a 200year old Blackbutt was removed on this property under the guise of the 10/50 clearing legislation when in actual fact, it was as part of this development. The fuel load from long grass and bushes and scrub that have since grown in the interim are a far worse fire risk.

This is one of the most inappropriate DAs I've seen for some time. The Esplanade is a very busy road, and a childcare centre is the worst possible development for the area.

Access is difficult due to a median strip, and I think that everyone thought it had gone away (started in October 2021).

I strongly object to this development, and ask that Council does the right thing and denies it outright. Ideally (and preferably) Council should place a lien on the location prohibiting further consideration of this location for any future development other than low-density housing.

I live on The Esplanade, and I know what it can be like at most times of day. It continues to be a 'rat run' for people avoiding Pennant Hills Road (despite the tunnel taking away the trucks).

This application must be rejected, as it will affect residents and through traffic in ways that do not appear to have been considered.

I guess there's not much point in fighting this proposal as it is inevitable it will go ahead in some shape or form. I just hope that Council insists that the designers keep the construction as aesthetic as possible to fit in with the village like street appeal.

I support the application. It would lead to a development in character with adjacent dwellings

15 units and 18 car spaces means this already car lined street that is packed with parked cars in both directions will be further congested.

The overflow of street parking will continue to creep into surrounding the streets. Would the folks from the council like to pay a visit to Bouvardia Street and Amor Street near the post office and try your luck when driving through these narrow congested streets ? There are safety issues to consider, as the streets inadvertently turn into one way roads where two cars cannot safely pass.

The developments won’t stop , however can we move the focus and council funding into quality infrastructure and design to enhance not degrade the quality of life. Asquith has the potential to be a vibrant community with spaces and places for everyone to enjoy.

I think that the number of off-street parking spaces is inadequate for the usage intensity. If the carpark is full, it is a long way up Old Northern Rd in either direction before there is any street parking.

Consideration needs to be given to this. Some players will have 2 parents in 2 cars, so this will add to parking requirements. In my experience as a parent taking children to sporting events, there is never enough parking. A 10 minute buffer doesn't allow for parents who stop to chat to others after the game, or parents who stay longer because they have children in multiple games across different age groups. Lorien Novalis will need to lock their gates because parents trying to get to a game on time will park anywhere they can, or will pull into a neighbouring driveway to let their kids out of the car to run in.

There should also be consideration given to the safety of pedestrians. If a parent drops off a child on the western side of the road because the carpark is full, that child should be able to cross the road safely.

Please explain how this property was previously subdivided into 2 lots? How is it now list as 1 lot into 3 lots????

I totally sympathise with everyone else in regards to the subject matter.
Please also note, that all the privately-owned properties across the road from Mt Colah Train station, and the newly built apartments, are still under the old zoning with bushfire overlay right behind them.
Unless the council considers some creative ideas from developers and/or assists in creating an asset protection zone and rezoning these lots, it's simply not feasible for any developer or investor to take on this project!
I totally agree with the previous message from Leonard, other than the council's assets, Hornsby council has no obligation to upgrade these privately owned lots, and unless the local landlords unite and get together with a creative plan to propose to the Council, nothing will happen to the decaying buildings on the western side of Pacific Hwy.

This area of shops in Asquith is currently zoned for approximately 23m high units and commercial premises or about 10 to 12 storeys high and has been since the Hornsby released plans for local districts in approx. 2010. The council does not own the shops. It can only provide a guideline for what is to be built. Any new building will be about double the height of the current new apartment blocks in the area. If the owners were willing to sell, then that is what will be built. Until the sale happens, then there is unlikely any great changes likely to happen.

Whilst the shopping strip at Asquith is rundown and an eyesore. The council are not developers. The extent of influence stops at the DCP. The zoning and build types are set in the DCP which is what facilitates development to occur. Asking the council to act or start consultation is outside of the council remit. Having said that, there have been a few attempts by developers to get all the current owners on the same page about selling. Sadly each time has failed to reach agreement resulting in what your see today, decaying buildings. Out of interest, there’s a mobile phone tower on one of the buildings which no doubt generates a tidy ongoing income for one of the owners. Why would you agree to sell and basically do yourself out of a stable and constant income stream?

Completely agree with the comments above. Given all the new apartments and townhouses both Mount Colah and Asquith deserve new and updated shopping districts. The current ones are embarrassing for locals who just want to be able to walk to the local shops and have it be a nice experience rather than drive to Turramurra and Wahroonga to meet any friends for a coffee.

+ 1 for an upgrade to the shops. I went to Asquith Public school as a kid...I'm now 40 years old and the shops have not changed or been upgraded in that entire time.

Given the volume of new residents that are now being pumped into the area due to the high ride apartments the population density has increased significantly and the flow of traffic around the shops is heavily congested, even at quiet times and becoming quite dangerous to drive and walk given how poorly designed the area is for the volume of foot and vehicle traffic it now needs to service.

Time to act council.

I completely agree with both Angela Ratcliffe and Jan Morgan! My young family avoided considering Asquith & Mount Colah area for many years due to the disappointing aesthetics of many of these shops along the pacific highway in the Hornsby council area. Thankfully! We moved in to this area and couldn’t be happier! The community is incredible and Hornsby council often listens and takes on the feedback. The new builds present well and Hornsby council does a great job at holding developers to account for the quality of the build builds. Many of these properties sell well over 1 million dollars. The council will reap the rewards of the investment of cleaning up these shopping strips.

I completely agree with the comments of Angela Ratcliffe regarding the derelict retail strip in Asquith. We recently bought a house nearby and have been dismayed by the grotty retail precinct. 25 years ago this area was more pleasant. We moved from an apartment in Wahroonga and the comparison is a shocking disappointment. We have lovely, friendly, house-proud neighbours and we all deserve better than this. Someone is making a lot of money from the local developments and it should be spent to upgrade the area. Also, the station should be upgraded for better accessibility. Council should lobby Transport for NSW to ensure its residents have the same good accessibility as nearby rail stations.

To the new council.

Given that all the decisions have been made on planning and the developments will go ahead regardless of public opinion, can you please turn your attention to the retail strip at Asquith.

As the population grows in our suburb there is community demand for a pleasant , contemporary , village based retail experience.

We have a run down , dirty and graffiti ridden excuse for a shopping precinct that is suffering from neglect and is a disappointment that the local community shares.

As a council, please show leadership and interest in our community and start a consultation and process to transform this space to a vibrant, engaging hub serving the local community.

I would like more information on this development application. It obviously relates to the demolition of 3 houses but there is no information currently online with Council which indicates whether it is a townhouse development to be created or a multi-storey highrise (hopefully not the latter as we have WAY too many of them in Hornsby). I have also emailed Council separately to ask for more information.

Majority of residents are continually unhappy with these developments but they continue to push them through regardless.
Residents have no say anymore, developers seem to have all the say. Feeling very disenchanted as a resident and rate payer. We will end up with overcrowded and characterless neighbourhoods with the rate we are going, not to mention the loss of the valuable trees to facilitate these developments.

so crowed, so many apartments, bad traffic congestion, still building?

bad bad idea