Hunter Street - Commercial Tower (East)

OFFICIAL

Good morning Andrew,

CASA has reviewed the NSW Government / Sydney Metro Aviation Impact Assessment Report Version E for the Planning Proposal Hunter Street Over Station Development.

CASA notes that the proposed maximum height for the Hunter Street East OSD is currently 269.1m AHD. At this height, the proposed development penetrates the Sydney Airport Obstacle Limitation Surface’s (OLS) Outer Horizontal Surface (OHS) by 113.1m as well as the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Heliport OLS by 48.1m. Cranes required for OSD construction would penetrate each OLS. The development does not penetrate PANS[1]OPS surfaces.

The proposed maximum height for the Hunter Street West OSD is currently 220m AHD. At this height, the proposed development penetrates the Sydney Airport Obstacle Limitation Surface’s (OLS) within the Outer Horizontal Surface (OHS) by 64m and cranes required for OSD construction would penetrate the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Heliport OLS. The development does not penetrate PANS-OPS surfaces.

CASA has no issues with the Aviation Impact Assessment and no objections to the Planning Proposal Hunter Street Over Station Developments but as stated in the AIA, aviation approval will be required from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA). CASA will make recommendations for marking and lighting of the crane(s), and the buildings when referred to CASA by DITRDCA.

CASA has no objection to the developments potential impact on the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Heliport. The En-route Supplement Australia (ERSA) indicates flight paths to and from the helipad are not towards or from the CBD direction:

FLIGHT PROCEDURES

1. PREFERRED FLIGHT PATHS:
a. 165DEG M in/345DEG M out.
b. 330DEG M in/320DEG M out.
2. Minimise ground running.

Regardless, CASA would recommend that The Sydney Local Health District be consulted with regard to aviation impact on the heliport operations.


Matthew Windebank
Aerodrome Engineer | Airspace Protection
Air Navigation, Airspace & Aerodromes Branch
CASA\ Aviation Group
p: (02) 6217 1183
e: [email protected]

The Health Services Union NSW wishes to provide comments on the Hunter Street Over Station Development, in particular the possible permanent closure of the Hunter Connection. The Hunter Connection passes through the 109 Pitt Street building on its journey from Barangaroo through Wynyard Station and out to Pitt Street. The Hunter Connection has been part of the fabric of Sydney and has provided a crucial thoroughfare for many decades. Its permanent closure would be a significant loss to the heritage of Sydney and the thousands of commuters that use the connection every day.
It is apparent that whether or not the Hunter Connection is reconnected following the Sydney Metro project will be left up to the tendering developers for the over station development, driven by their commercial interests. The Union urges that the provision of the successful consortia for the over station development include that the pedestrian connection is reinstated through the Hunter Connection to 109 Pitt Street. The thoroughfare for the flow of foot traffic from the new Sydney Metro and Wynyard Station to Pitt Street would only enhance the new precinct for the people of Sydney.
Currently 109 Pitt Street facilitates employment and business opportunities for more than 2000 people, many of whom use and are encouraged to use public transport. Many of these people utilise and support the local and small businesses by way of food and beverage retail during early morning and afternoon periods.
With respect to the general supply of food and beverages outlets there is minimal retail on Pitt Street or Hunter Street. Therefore, facilitating an ongoing connection of 109 Pitt Street to the Sydney Metro project will not only enhance conveniences, it will also enhance the use of public transport and support the local retail economy.
People with disability use the Hunter Connection as an easier route from our building to Wynyard Station. The removal of the connection would make access more difficult for people with disability who would have to navigate their way to and from Wynyard via the public footpaths. Ease of access to public transport is a key consideration in building an inclusive workplace.
I trust that the views put forward in this brief submission will be given full consideration.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Gerard Hayes
Secretary
Health Services Union NSW

Please refer to the attached submission from the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust.

Whilst complete details as to the floor layout of the tower and internal plant and equipment component of this structure has not been provided, it is clear that the designer was endeavoring to achieve maximum low-rise amenity for the office tenants to be located therein by siting the tower as far north as possible and setting back from Hunter Street.

This has had the effect of abutting 16-18 O'Connell Street, which is a class 2 building. This amenity to the office tenants achieved is of a marginal nature in my opinion.

The effect of a large tower in such close proximity to a residential property will have the effect of reducing amenity significantly to the residential occupants and others in a number of ways, none the least of which would be:

a) A loss of privacy from a larger office building towering over a residential property.
b) reflection of sunlight onto the adjoining property at various times of day and year.
c) possible noise from plant and equipment located on the podium level.
d) Adversely affecting western outlook onto O'Connell Street with overshadowing. (See photo)

Having a structure so close to a Heritage Facade (the affectation being one on the Local Register for this property, the adjoining property in Bligh Street being on the State Register) is not sympathetic to it nor I would suggest consistent with design excellence guidelines.

A compromise in respect of this is easily achieved with little or no reduced amenity to the proposal. The tower component of the site can be moved south towards Hunter Street which would have scant effect on the proposed design. This would have the effect of reducing the setback from Hunter Street which would be barely noticeable from Occupants of the office tower if it was noticeable at all.

A suggested additional setback from the northern perimeter of the site could easily be achieved in the range of 15 to 25 metres with little or no loss of amenity to Occupants in the low-rise component of the property and none whatsoever to the high-rise Occupants. It would also arguably have no detriment to the design excellence of the proposal and would in this submission be sympathetic to the adjoining streetscapes of O'Connell Street and Bligh Street and their respective heritage affectations.
The balance of these competing considerations supports this view.
Attachments
1./ Photo looking north to corner of 50 Bridge Street being magnetic north point taken from level 12 16-18 O'Connell Street.
2./ Photo looking South Southwest looking towards cnr Pitt and Hunter Sts from bedroom of Lot 16/16-18 O'Connell Street.
3./ Photo looking east from outdoor deck area of Lot 16/ 16-18 O'Connell Street.

Overall I am supportive of the new Hunter Street Station.
I support the construction of new commercial and retail spaces.
I support the tunnels linking the new Hunter St Station to Martin Place and Wynyard Stations.
However, the building heights seem excessive given the surrounding buildings and something around 30 storeys would be more appropriate.
These new buildings will overshadow and block views from existing buildings.
The footpaths are already uncomfortably full in the CBD during the week, more floorspace will only exacerbate this problem.

refer attached document