Petition: Liveable Development in Canada Bay

This page has been revised as the text was out of date due to changes by the NSW government of their now completed rezoning. See the old petition.

To the Honourable the President and Members of the NSW Legislative Council, this petition of certain citizens of NSW notes that:

The NSW Government has announced major changes to planning in the City of Canada Bay. While the objective to create new housing is worthwhile, these plans do not take account of the existing residential and physical environment of Concord West and North Strathfield, and in particular:

1. Placement of Canada Bay LGA’s greatest additional density, the Homebush TOD precinct with 6 to 50 storeys, in the area along George Street with the worst possible traffic problems – already with 600 metre plus traffic queues several times daily.
2. At least one declared State Significant Development (SSD) at 7 Concord Ave Concord West with up to 40 storeys located in a dangerous flood zone – twice refused for that reason.
3. Under the government’s affordable housing rules, developers receive huge benefits with 15% – 20% increased height and floor area for 15% – 20% affordable housing for a duration of only 15 years, despite the fact that the need will continue in the long term. Canada Bay’s existing affordable housing programs gift housing in perpetuity.
4. Despite NSW government’s plans which will force a population increase of at least double over perhaps the next twenty years, the government has no plans to:
   1. increase train passenger capacity for trains on the T9 Northern Line which are frequently over capacity in peak hours affecting the stations of Rhodes, Concord West and North Strathfield.
   2. provide additional childcare, school or other educational infrastructure to accommodate the significant population increase (except a new primary school in Rhodes against an expected loss of MacDonald College).
   3. Improve local healthcare facilities, which are currently underfunded and understaffed, unable even to meet the needs of existing residents.

Your petitioners support the intention of the NSW Government’s plan to substantially increase housing. However, we request the following improvements:

• Restrict the development to medium density dwellings.
• Substantially reduce the number of apartments and vehicles on the site.
• Ensure permanent affordable housing at a rate of at least 5% of new dwellings, comparable to affordable housing provision rates in other programs across Canada Bay.
• Maintain full standards for the protection of trees and open space.
• Commit to providing necessary infrastructure to match the increased future population, including additional green space, trains, buses, roads, schools (especially a new high school).

♦ six to nine storey apartment buildings next to single storey houses due to poor planning rules;
♦ substantially reduced new affordable housing which will last for only 15 years;
♦ over-riding of heritage listings which will put at risk about 80% of Canada Bay LGA’s heritage buildings
♦ lax rules on tree protection making it impossible for Canada Bay to increase its tree canopy
♦ throwing out the council’s planning informed by previous community consultation.

♦ Proper development planning rules;
♦ Permanent affordable housing at a rate of 5% of new dwellings, comparable to affordable housing provision rates in other programs across Canada Bay;
♦ Maintaining full standards for the protection of heritage and trees;
♦ Government to commit to providing necessary infrastructure to match the increased future population, including additional green space, trains, buses, roads, schools (especially a new high school) and more.

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See more on the NSW government’s proposed changes.