Mowbray Road Data Centre

I am not in favour of the proposal due to the bulk and scale which is out of context with the local area and current zoning of buildings of 18m height. The proposed height (29.65) is not allowed under the LEP. 65 trees will be removed which is HUGE with no landscaping plan in place to remediate this. Job outcome is for only 50 employees max. Totally unacceptable considering the sheer size of this proposal. As a local resident there is no detailed traffic management plan during the planned period of building works.

A statement of objection (included below)
Reasons for objections (included below)
Declaration of political donations (included below)
Statement acknowledging and accepting the disclaimer and declaration (included below)

We declare that we have not made any reportable political donations in the last two years.
We acknowledge and accept the Department’s disclaimer and declaration.
We object to this development and the reasons for objection are detailed below.
1. Context
It is acknowledged that the proposed Data Centre site is in a light industrial IN2 zone and the development is a permissible use under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021. An over-development is not.
The proposed over-development of the site, the loss of urban visual amenity and the impact of demolition and construction works on the immediate community are of grave concern. In our opinion these have not be adequately addressed in the applicants’ submission and we do not believe there are enforceable safeguards to protect the community during all phases of the project.
Our primary objections relate to,
• We assert that the Traffic and Transport Assessment Report is fundamentally flawed and cannot be allowed to stand because significant parking issues both long term and during construction have been omitted.
• The proposed over-development building; height, bulk and scale.
• Loss of urban visual amenity and existing trees [65%].
• A strong reliance on future landscape to mitigate the built form in 15 years time, with no guarantee.
• Construction impacts; truck movements.
• Environmental impacts – air quality, noise, and vibration during construction.
• Traffic congestion and pedestrian impacts.

2. Building Height
Throughout the design and consultation process the proponent has not presented a complying scheme in accordance with the Lane Cove Local Environmental Plan 2009 (LCLEP2009). It is evident that Microsoft never had any intention to comply with the 18.0m height control. The resultant impact of the over development being a significant loss of urban visual amenity, loss of existing vegetation and a significant commercial floor space advantage to Microsoft.
The proposed maximum building height for the Data Centre is 29.695m being a numerical exceedance of 11.695m represented at 66.47%.
The proposed development has utilised clause 4.6 - Exceptions to development standards and has been submitted a written request in the form of a Clause 4.6 Variation Request at Appendix 27 of the supporting documentation. The scale of the proposed Data Centre as submitted is not in the local resident community’s public interest. As with the Demolition Works DA170/2021, the submission fails to address specific Management Plans to provide the community any confidence that the proponent or their contractor will implement appropriate safe-guards that are enforceable.
3. Compatibility of the Data Centre land-use and local impacts
Zone objective of ‘To minimise any adverse effect of industry on other land uses’.
The LCNE Village objects on the following basis,
To the immediate east of the site are other light industrial land uses and to the immediate west of the site is a childcare centre as well as other industrial land uses further west. Although the surrounding buildings to the east and west are also light industrial in nature, it is worth noting that these existing buildings are well within the maximum allowable building height defined in LCLEP2009.
Directly across the road from the development site is a residential zone being R2 Low Density Residential Zone which mainly consists of single storey dwellings. Less than 100m from the site is the Lane Cove North Estate which is also a residential zone being R2 Low Density Residential Zone comprising 202 apartments and townhouses.
4. Urban Visual Impact
The visual montages and Visual Impact Assessment demonstrate that the architectural bulk & scale will create an unacceptable visual impact due to the building height and relationship of the building to Mowbray Road at the eastern elevation. This is further exacerbated by the significant removal of existing vegetation at the eastern end of the site under the proposed scheme.
The proposed Data Centre to the Mowbray Road West and Mowbray Road has a maximum height of 25.08m, a 7.08m exceedance represented at 39.33%. This will cause adverse visual impacts and relies heavily on a mature landscape (which will not eventuate for 15 years) to mitigate the impact to adjoining residential areas.
The twin junctions of Mowbray Road West and Mowbray Road, and Mowbray Road West are used by residents from the LCNE Village by foot, bicycle, motorbike, car and parents with prams as the main access to the LCNE Village. It also used by residents who have children that attend the childcare centre which adjoins the development site. In addition to this, Mowbray Road West is utilised by pedestrians from the LCNE Village to access the bus stops on either side of Mowbray Road, with one bus stop located directly opposite the development site. There is also a pedestrian link on the eastern end of 706 Mowbray Road that links to the bus stop on Epping Road to the city.
Mowbray Road is currently filled with street trees on both sides providing an aesthetically pleasing streetscape along the street frontages. The removal of all but two (2) mature trees to the street Mowbray Road frontages is alarming. The loss of vegetative screening will expose the built form, especially an over-development as proposed. The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment at Appendix 8, under Section 7 of the report acknowledges ‘that there will be noticeable impact to the existing site character along Mowbray Road, with a magnitude of change of moderate to high impacts’.
This same report also analysed 15 viewpoints named from A through to O, in and around the development site. The relevant viewpoints for the residents of the LCNE Village are viewpoints F (Mowbray Road West), Viewpoint G (Mowbray Road) and O (Mowbray Road – near bus stop) and Viewpoints N (4 Taylors Drive, Lane Cove North). Although Viewpoints N is said to have a negligible impact, the other viewpoints are still considered as important due to the reasons mentioned above which include current site access, bus stops and recreational activities utilised by the residents of the LCNE Village. These uses are supported by the Traffic and Parking Impact Assessment at Appendix 11 which states in section 1.2.1 that Mowbray Road has various public and active transport links.
For Viewpoints F, G and O it details that the current view will have a high magnitude of change and will be fundamentally altered by the proposed development. The report concluded that overall road users, pedestrians and cyclists will be impacted at a low level (including the assessment of other roads). The LCNE Village disagrees and consider these to be a high magnitude of change moderate to high impact.
It is worth noting that the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment did not take viewpoints from Taylors Drive which is the primary entry/exit point from the LCNE Village.
5. Landscape
The Arborist Report - Appendix 12 - details that 65 trees will be removed across the development site, representing @60% of the mature trees. It is noted that the overall development will only be providing 17.46% of landscaped area which is below the minimum 20% requirement as described within the Development Control Plan (DCP) Compliance table under section E.9 Landscaping at Appendix 1.
Of key importance is the screening of the proposed Data Centre – eastern elevation. The proposal does not allow for any landscape screening to the eastern boundary and combined with substantial tree removal leaves the building façade highly exposed. An objective of Section E.9 of the Lane Cove DCP 2009 is for the ‘screening unsightly land uses and providing a buffer between industrial development and other land uses’. This has not been achieved and we request that a landscape buffer be included and/or a high level of architectural articulation be required of the proponent.
We assert that the proponent has failed to adequately address the zone objective as the basis of the Clause 4.6 Variation Request. The proposal diminishes the visual amenity; the landscape is critical to mitigating the bulk and scale of the architecture with the end result not delivering an exemplar outcome that enhances the local amenity, but rather detracts from the existing amenity.

6. The Traffic and Transport Assessment Report
The Traffic and Transport Assessment Report has carefully avoided identifying the major parking impacts, both permanent and during construction.
• It avoids mentioning the parking studies which it has undertaken.
• In its list of agency responses (Section 1.3) it fails to identify that Lane Cove Council stated:
“It is recommended that a Traffic and Parking assessment be submitted as part of the proposed development documentation.”
Given that street parking is already a critical issue in the vicinity of 706 Mowbray Road, as illustrated in Appendix A, we assert that the proponent intends to use the visitors parking of the LCNE Village for overflow parking during construction and on a permanent basis.
This may explain why the proponent has omitted its assessment of parking adjacent to 706 Mowbray Road from its Assessment Report.
We assert that The Traffic and Transport Assessment Report is fundamentally flawed and cannot be allowed to stand.

7. Construction Parking
Street parking is already a critical issue in the vicinity of 706 Mowbray Road, as illustrated in Appendix A.
This has been raised with the proponent on many occasions, including the following:
• Parking was raised

see attachment.

I strongly OBJECT to this project for multiple reasons:

Height: is significantly above the maximum height allowed in zoning - at 30m it is almost double the allowable height of 18m! - and significantly higher than any surrounding buildings

Bulk: not only is the proposed building much higher than zoning allows, and much higher than every other building in the vicinity, the proposed building is a massive bulky structure completely out of place with any other buildings in the area. It is a giant monolith of a thing without any architectural elements of say an apartment building to break up the sheer scale

Visibility: given the height and bulk, and the absence of any other buildings in the area that are anywhere near the same size, the proposed building stands out like a sore thumb and will completely overpower and dominate the visuals of the area. It will be visible for hundreds of metres to all drivers going West on Mowbray Rd as an eyesore and reminder that planning laws are apparently meaningless

Proximity to residential: there is no precedent for a data centre of this size and scale in such close proximity to a low rise residential area including very close proximity to a daycare centre and medium density residential apartment complex

Alternate sites available: Microsoft has stated the data centre must be in reasonable proximity to other data centres in the area but fails to acknowledge there are multiple other (more) suitable sites in closer proximity for example: Gore Hill tech park, Artarmon industrial area, Lane Cove West industrial area, and Macquarie Park commercial and industrial zone, all of which have more suitable zoning rules including higher height limits.

Very few jobs created: a huge building massively over zoning height restrictions housing hundreds of computers and thousands of litres of diesel in a low rise residential area all for a claimed maximum of 50 jobs in the area, and all of which would simply transition to a nearby more suitable area if this project is moved, is a ludicrous abuse of our planning laws for effectively zero public benefit

Given all the above I cannot see how any council/government/committee can approve this project. It is simply not in the best interests of the general public.

Thank you for your consideration

The current defunct organisation had previously very minimal impact with human and vehicular traffic.
The Lane Cove Estate is a high density residential area and we do not want more activities into the surrounding area.
The Child Care Centre will be grossly affected by the imposing building and vehicular activities.
There are no shops within proximity.
I believed the previous administrators were short sighted to allow industrial work in this residential area.
So take this opportunity to make a smart change for generations to enjoy Lane Cove North.
Thank you.
Regards
Eric

The data centre is not built with the community’s best interest at heart

Please refer to the document attached.

There was no consultation prior to the approval of the project with the local residents.

The project will create huge disturbance to the residents living around the area. And significantly devalue the existing residential properties in the next 2-5 years.

1. Context
It is acknowledged that the proposed Data Centre site is in a light industrial IN2 zone and the development is a permissible use under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021. An over-development is not.
The proposed over-development of the site, the loss of urban visual amenity and the impact of demolition and construction works on the immediate community are of grave concern. In our opinion these have not be adequately addressed in the applicants’ submission and we do not believe there are enforceable safeguards to protect the community during all phases of the project.
Our primary objections relate to,
• We assert that the Traffic and Transport Assessment Report is fundamentally flawed and cannot be allowed to stand because significant parking issues both long term and during construction have been omitted.
• The proposed over-development building; height, bulk and scale.
• Loss of urban visual amenity and existing trees [65%].
• A strong reliance on future landscape to mitigate the built form in 15 years time, with no guarantee.
• Construction impacts; truck movements.
• Environmental impacts – air quality, noise, and vibration during construction.
• Traffic congestion and pedestrian impacts.

2. Building Height
Throughout the design and consultation process the proponent has not presented a complying scheme in accordance with the Lane Cove Local Environmental Plan 2009 (LCLEP2009). It is evident that Microsoft never had any intention to comply with the 18.0m height control. The resultant impact of the over development being a significant loss of urban visual amenity, loss of existing vegetation and a significant commercial floor space advantage to Microsoft.
The proposed maximum building height for the Data Centre is 29.695m being a numerical exceedance of 11.695m represented at 66.47%.
The proposed development has utilised clause 4.6 - Exceptions to development standards and has been submitted a written request in the form of a Clause 4.6 Variation Request at Appendix 27 of the supporting documentation. The scale of the proposed Data Centre as submitted is not in the local resident community’s public interest. As with the Demolition Works DA170/2021, the submission fails to address specific Management Plans to provide the community any confidence that the proponent or their contractor will implement appropriate safe-guards that are enforceable.
3. Compatibility of the Data Centre land-use and local impacts
Zone objective of ‘To minimise any adverse effect of industry on other land uses’.
The LCNE Village objects on the following basis,
To the immediate east of the site are other light industrial land uses and to the immediate west of the site is a childcare centre as well as other industrial land uses further west. Although the surrounding buildings to the east and west are also light industrial in nature, it is worth noting that these existing buildings are well within the maximum allowable building height defined in LCLEP2009.
Directly across the road from the development site is a residential zone being R2 Low Density Residential Zone which mainly consists of single storey dwellings. Less than 100m from the site is the Lane Cove North Estate which is also a residential zone being R2 Low Density Residential Zone comprising 202 apartments and townhouses.
4. Urban Visual Impact
The visual montages and Visual Impact Assessment demonstrate that the architectural bulk & scale will create an unacceptable visual impact due to the building height and relationship of the building to Mowbray Road at the eastern elevation. This is further exacerbated by the significant removal of existing vegetation at the eastern end of the site under the proposed scheme.
The proposed Data Centre to the Mowbray Road West and Mowbray Road has a maximum height of 25.08m, a 7.08m exceedance represented at 39.33%. This will cause adverse visual impacts and relies heavily on a mature landscape (which will not eventuate for 15 years) to mitigate the impact to adjoining residential areas.
The twin junctions of Mowbray Road West and Mowbray Road, and Mowbray Road West are used by residents from the LCNE Village by foot, bicycle, motorbike, car and parents with prams as the main access to the LCNE Village. It also used by residents who have children that attend the childcare centre which adjoins the development site. In addition to this, Mowbray Road West is utilised by pedestrians from the LCNE Village to access the bus stops on either side of Mowbray Road, with one bus stop located directly opposite the development site. There is also a pedestrian link on the eastern end of 706 Mowbray Road that links to the bus stop on Epping Road to the city.
Mowbray Road is currently filled with street trees on both sides providing an aesthetically pleasing streetscape along the street frontages. The removal of all but two (2) mature trees to the street Mowbray Road frontages is alarming. The loss of vegetative screening will expose the built form, especially an over-development as proposed. The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment at Appendix 8, under Section 7 of the report acknowledges ‘that there will be noticeable impact to the existing site character along Mowbray Road, with a magnitude of change of moderate to high impacts’.
This same report also analysed 15 viewpoints named from A through to O, in and around the development site. The relevant viewpoints for the residents of the LCNE Village are viewpoints F (Mowbray Road West), Viewpoint G (Mowbray Road) and O (Mowbray Road – near bus stop) and Viewpoints N (4 Taylors Drive, Lane Cove North). Although Viewpoints N is said to have a negligible impact, the other viewpoints are still considered as important due to the reasons mentioned above which include current site access, bus stops and recreational activities utilised by the residents of the LCNE Village. These uses are supported by the Traffic and Parking Impact Assessment at Appendix 11 which states in section 1.2.1 that Mowbray Road has various public and active transport links.
For Viewpoints F, G and O it details that the current view will have a high magnitude of change and will be fundamentally altered by the proposed development. The report concluded that overall road users, pedestrians and cyclists will be impacted at a low level (including the assessment of other roads). The LCNE Village disagrees and consider these to be a high magnitude of change moderate to high impact.
It is worth noting that the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment did not take viewpoints from Taylors Drive which is the primary entry/exit point from the LCNE Village.
5. Landscape
The Arborist Report - Appendix 12 - details that 65 trees will be removed across the development site, representing @60% of the mature trees. It is noted that the overall development will only be providing 17.46% of landscaped area which is below the minimum 20% requirement as described within the Development Control Plan (DCP) Compliance table under section E.9 Landscaping at Appendix 1.
Of key importance is the screening of the proposed Data Centre – eastern elevation. The proposal does not allow for any landscape screening to the eastern boundary and combined with substantial tree removal leaves the building façade highly exposed. An objective of Section E.9 of the Lane Cove DCP 2009 is for the ‘screening unsightly land uses and providing a buffer between industrial development and other land uses’. This has not been achieved and we request that a landscape buffer be included and/or a high level of architectural articulation be required of the proponent.
We assert that the proponent has failed to adequately address the zone objective as the basis of the Clause 4.6 Variation Request. The proposal diminishes the visual amenity; the landscape is critical to mitigating the bulk and scale of the architecture with the end result not delivering an exemplar outcome that enhances the local amenity, but rather detracts from the existing amenity.

6. The Traffic and Transport Assessment Report
The Traffic and Transport Assessment Report has carefully avoided identifying the major parking impacts, both permanent and during construction.
• It avoids mentioning the parking studies which it has undertaken.
• In its list of agency responses (Section 1.3) it fails to identify that Lane Cove Council stated:
“It is recommended that a Traffic and Parking assessment be submitted as part of the proposed development documentation.”
Given that street parking is already a critical issue in the vicinity of 706 Mowbray Road, as illustrated in Appendix A, we assert that the proponent intends to use the visitors parking of the LCNE Village for overflow parking during construction and on a permanent basis.
This may explain why the proponent has omitted its assessment of parking adjacent to 706 Mowbray Road from its Assessment Report.
We assert that The Traffic and Transport Assessment Report is fundamentally flawed and cannot be allowed to stand.

7. Construction Parking
Street parking is already a critical issue in the vicinity of 706 Mowbray Road, as illustrated in Appendix A.
This has been raised with the proponent on many occasions, including the following:
• Parking was raised as an issue in the submission to SEARS by Lane Cove Council on 12/2/21.
• Parking was raised with the proponent as an issue in the very first consultation meeting with LCNE Village in mid 2021.
• Parking was raised as an issue in the submission to Lane Cove Council regarding DA 170/2021 for demolition at 706 Mowbray Road, in a submission dated 19/12/21.
• Parking was raised with the proponent as an issue by Lane Cove Council in its letter to the proponent dated 12/4/22 which stated:
“As a result of the site constraints, limited vehicle access and parking, an updated Demolition Traffic & Parking Management Plan (DTPMP) and report shall be prepared . . . . prior

Refer to objection attached

I object strongly to the Microsoft data Centre being build on Mowbray Rd so close to a residential area. The height proposed is above the zoned height allowed in the area . Trees will also be destroyed by the development with no plan for restoration. This is a major travesty for the area.

I object to the over-development of the proposed data centre and impact on the urban visual impact. Enclosed is a submission providing comment on various aspects of the SSD -13475973.

I consider the Microsoft’s SSDA not to be in the public interest, therefore I’m not in favour of the proposal for these reasons below:

The bulk & scale is completely out of context with the local area. The area is zoned for buildings of 18m in height but Microsoft is pushing for 29.65m. There is no precedent for a data centre of this size in such close proximity to a low rise residential area. The impact is unwarranted. The proposed height is not allowed under the LEP, which is a statutory/legal instrument.

Microsoft have not provided any evidence as to why the additional space above the allowable height needs to be on this location & not in areas more sympathetic with their use. They only make claims without technical or other grounds. Gore Hill tech park/Artarmon industrial area, Lane Cove West industrial area & Macquarie Park (B3 zoning with higher height limits) are nearby alternatives (not just out west) with much lower impacts on nearby/adjacent land uses. A number of data centres have been built in these locations since Microsoft got a position on the Mowbray site. So again there’s weak justification for using the variation clause.

The job outcome for the site is poor. There will be possibly 50 employees max.

65 trees will be removed with no quality landscaping/vegetation management plan in place to remediate this.

No detailed traffic management plan during the planned period of building works

Please find my submission in relation to the opposition of this construction on a number of impacts.

I have also uploaded a copy as an attachment, but was unclear if it would be able to be opened.

__________________________________________________________________________________-

Submission opposed to the demolition of existing buildings and construction of a data centre.

In order of importance:


Destruction and removal of significant trees on site.
The nature of the proposed building, its design and possible amendments.
The storage of fossil fuels on site in a bush fire zone.
The nature of the works and impact on an extremely busy road.

Destruction and removal of significant trees on site.

I am opposed to the demolition and removal of the 65 trees that have been indicated to be removed. The site has many mature trees, which are of immense importance to the natural environment. I have lived in Lane Cove for most of my life, I am becoming increasingly distressed by the constant and consistent removal of the pockets of bushland after each approval of major development, this development is one of great concern. I have see the soil, bushes, the large mature trees removed in favour of lego style apartment blocks , all along Mowbray Road . These units do not provide not an area for a single tree beyond a bush to grow. Your proposal would be the same. It is not the case that a 2:1 replanting can in any way make up for a single mature tree that has been growing for more than 50 years. See this report in relation to the support of mature trees https://theconversation.com/why-keeping-one-mature-street-tree-is-far-better-for-humans-and-nature-than-planting-lots-of-new-ones-154114. How can you guarantee that the trees that remain are treated sensitively. Take the example of a block of units further up Mowbray Rd, that had the last remnants of Blue Gum Forest, all good- all protected----until one night a bulldozer smashed it down. Who cared?? Just a fine, easily paid by the money making developer.
You cannot make an argument that that would more than satisfy those with concerns of the natural environment. You must be aware that the wildlife and flora, is becoming more reliant on these pockets of land. Have you done a study on the impact on the wildlife of your development? Have you noted the use of these trees, for micro bats, for flying foxes, for tiny ring tailed possums, for brush tailed possums, for the ground dwellers. Have you ever sent anyone to really examine the site and the consequences of your building for their lives? Is there not a site which would be available to developers where they do not impact the environment so clearly. I am absolutely opposed to their removal, the designs should be amended to ensure all mature trees are kept.

Character of the proposed data centre

I have seen the plans and note that it is an ugly centre, which does, in no way blend in with the street scape. The large concrete block and unremarkable surrounding buildings should not rely on sketchy landscaping to provide some type of screening. These plans often take little precedence once a building is built. Landscaping becomes less of a priority, and if you have removed the trees it will take decades to screen it from the street. There should be more interesting design not simply blocks of buildings. The developers should consider other examples, create a beautiful building, not some concrete block. If necessary take an example of Willoughby Girls High School who used a local artists work (first nation) to create a beautiful and practical screen for the enjoyment of the community. Microsoft is not short of money this should absolutely be a priority. Look up !
I am also concerned that once the job is approved at a certain height, the councils will rubber stamp amendments to allow the buildings to build higher. This is no new occurence and this should be made clear that no amendments to the original will be made.

Storage of Diesel Fuel on site.

I am very unhappy that a significant amount of diesel fuel will be held on site. There is a significant bushfire risk, in this area and as climate change will surely impact us in the future (as it has in the past) to create a hotter and more dangerous environment this must be taken into consideration. Surely in this day and age the power source should be renewable and batteries should be the most appropriate power source if the power goes down. This is a no brainer. Solar panels and a battery. The benefits to all would outweigh the costs. No more carbon emitting diesel, make it state of the art.

Traffic Management Plans

The traffic management plans and construction management are often ignored.

I do not want any run off making its way into the water table.

I am opposed to continued construction with little thought on its impact on the nearby childcare centre. Mowbray Road is so busy now, now that there has been increasing construction of multi storey units.

The construction most often starts at 7am, just as peak hour commences, the large trucks line up all along the roads, making it difficult to pass. There is no consideration of those that require that road to go to work in the morning. Stop go stop go signs have a significant impact in our ability to get to work on time.

Considering the amount of apartments the council has approved in Lane Cove North, there should be serious consideration of what best in the long term. In terms of town planning, there is a serious need for more commercial properties, eg a small shopping centre for a supermarket or a collection of small businesses.
This has become a dense residential area and the presence of a large industrial site lowers the value of this up and coming area.
Why permit so many apartments and increase the amount of citizens in the area, only to lean into industrialising this region? Especially with Macquarie Park so close by already satisfying that need.

I live in the Lane Cove North Estate. I have several concerns with the Mowbray Road Data Centre development.

Firstly, I have an 18-month-old child who will be attending Possums Corner Childcare early next year. I have read the Air Quality Report dated 1 April 2022. In the executive summary, "it is anticipated that the risk of amenity/nuisance issues and human health impacts would be medium. Management measures to control the generation and spread of dust would need to be outlined in a construction environmental management plan (CEMP) for the proposal." I cannot see a CEMP on the NSW planning website. In any event, I do not want my child exposed to dust generating activities at such an early developmental age. The report notes a "medium" risk. Is this modelling based on adults? Has modelling been done on health impacts on infants and young children? The childcare is located on the immediate boundary of the proposed Data Centre.

Secondly, the proposal notes a 6-level data centre. The current business park contains 3 levels. I have viewed the architectural plans and landscape plans. In short, this building is going to be an absolute eye sore and will not be complementary to the existing street façade. The existing building height is approximately 18 metres. I understand that ARUP is seeking a variation to the maximum building height to 20.9-29.695m. This visual impact of this development will be awful. I also note that ARUP is proposing to remove a number of trees which is very disappointing. While I haven’t reviewed all documents in detail, I note in some documents the proposal is for a 4 level facility and in others it is a 6 level facility. This is confusing.

Thirdly, it is already time-consuming exiting and entering the Lane Cove North Estate during peak hours. In the Traffic and parking Impact Assessment, the assessment focused on the Epping Road / Mowbray Road intersection. What about traffic heading in the Chatswood/Artarmon direction? Currently, due to the construction of apartments, there are traffic management protocols in place which add a lot of time to trips. I read there will be 150 workers on site at any given time. Where will they park?

I strongly object to the project.

The storing of diesel on site in an environmentally-sensitive area - acres of bush land - and immediately next to a childcare centre, where there is only one road for access, is grossly irresponsible. Access to the childcare centre passes the site, so if there were a fire emergency, the children and staff in the childcare centre, not to mention the staff at the Nuss warehouse, are not safe.

The new design of the building still exceeds building height restrictions for the area.

I support this proposal following the recent modifications to the proposal to address height concerns previously raised. Data centres are critical in terms of supporting growth in internet connectivity and data storage for businesses and individuals alike, especially in areas close to offices for reduced latency.

Given the significantly lower amount of traffic generation, height and bulk compared with similar residential projects (e.g. apartments) the data centre is appropriate and is similar to existing land usage within the locality.

This concerns the Mowbray Road Data Centre.
I find the proposed design to be extremely ugly. It reminds me of soviet era architecture-brutalist by name and by nature.
A great big slab of concrete has no aesthetic value whatsoever. The leaflet distributed to residence states that the proposed buildings "blends with the surrounding street scape". I totally refute that statement, how could such ugly buildings blend with any street scape. I cannot understand how such a design could be approved in a pleasant residential area such as Lane Cove North.

The applicant’s proposal is not in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood and in particular the bulk and height of the development is substantially out of character. The current planning regulations allow for a maximum of 18 metres and the applicant’s proposal has a height of around 38 metres. The resultant development will dominate the environment and reduce the amenity of the surrounding residential neighbourhoods.

If approved it would also set precedent within the Mowbray Road area that would be used by future developers.

Not only is the height substantially greater than allowed for in current development regulations, the proposed external treatment of the building further creates a monolithic aspect that exacerbates the negative impact of the development.

Finally as a residential home owner in the neighbourhood I have concerns about the quantity of parking provided for in the proposed development. Our street, Hinkler Crescent, is currently utilised by staff of
Light industrial businesses along Mowbray Road to park during the work day. This has led to Council designating one side of the road under limited hours parking. This already impacts on the use, as a resident, of the on street parking for members of the household and visitors. The applicant’s proposal will not only increase the number of workers in the area needing to park, the applicant’s proposal to operate a 24 hour operation means that the impact will not be limited to daylight hours.