Summer Hill Mixed Use Development

We are opposed to the application.

We are residents in Spencer Street on the Eastern side of the street. Our backyard faces the proposed development.
We are concerned about the construction of a 7 storey apartment building directly behind the existing two storey office building. The height of this apartment is excessive and will be clearly visible from out backyard. We will have overshadowing first thing in the morning from dawn until about 9am (estimate based on sight lines). We also have concerns about the construction noise and impact it will have on local wildlife by tree removal and construction (there are lots of birds that currently live in the Allied Mills site and near the light rail).

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on the project application. I have no objection to the proposal in principle and offer the following constructive comments to improve the project for new and existing residents and users of local transport.

Old Canterbury Road and Edward Street intersection
The proposed improvements at the intersection of Old Canterbury Road and Edward Street are welcome, however it is critical from a safety perspective that they are implemented prior to the development of Stages 2 and 3. The development increases traffic at this already dangerous intersection with it's limited sight lines/visibility. Even a relatively minor increase of traffic at this location, although it may not impact significantly on level of service has a significant impact on safety for vehicles and pedestrians. In addition, pedestrian access for the development to the nearest bus stop on Old Canterbury Road requires crossing of Edward Street near this dangerous intersection, a problem heightened by increased traffic movements. A formalised pedestrian crossing as part of a signalised crossing would improve safety for residents of the new development and existing residents.

Access to the light rail stop
Completion of a safe, well-lit permanent light rail access from Edward Street should be prioritised as part of the construction schedule. The provision and maintenance of safe, well-lit pedestrian access to the light rail stop at all times during construction should be a condition of approval. The objective should be to ensure a high level of passive surveillance at all times during construction and maintenance.

Access to bus transport
The bus stop on Old Canterbury Road, near the Edward Street intersection should be moved as a priority to improve transport accessibility and facilities for new and existing residents. This should be a condition of Stage 1, not later stages as originally anticipated. The current location is too narrow and is on a steep incline, creating accessibility and safety issues for transport users, pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. The stop does not provide adequate access for disabled passengers, elderly passengers and prams, etc. The stop provides no waiting space, leading to the footpath being blocked. No shelter is provided.

Left hand turns for vehicles travelling along Old Canterbury Road into Edward Street are complicated by the current location of the stop, and pedestrian safety is at risk due to the lack of visibility and lack of a safe pedestrian crossing (particularly for new residents). Moving the bus stop in the early stages presents a significant opportunity to improve safety and accessibility at a relatively small cost.

Parking controls
Ashfield Council should immediately commence consultation with local residents about implementing parking controls in surrounding streets, including the provision of multiple permits to existing households prior to completion of Stage 1. As a condition of approval, purchasers of property within the development should not be entitled to on-street resident parking in addition to the parking provided within the development. As a condition of approval, the developer and Council should make it clear to purchasers that they would not/may not be entitled to participate in any such resident parking schemes, should they be implemented.

Heritage, public art and signage
The site and the proposed development provide a great opportunity to recognise the heritage of the site, including the former freight railway and nearby former Quarantine yards. The light rail stop provides a particular opportunity to improve awareness of this heritage through interpretive signage and public art. The developer should formally consult with Summer Hill residents, local heritage groups, Council and relevant authorities to develop and install appropriate signage and art in the precinct, including as part of access to the light rail stop. This consultation should occur as part of Stage 1, with implementation to occur throughout the life of the project as appropriate.

Firstly, I would like to state that I am not opposed to the Mill development. I am however, horrified at the proposal to construct a roundabout at the Smith St / Edward St intersection.

This proposal places my home right on the corner of a pointless roundabout and metres away from an ever increasing volume of traffic which will be speeding towards my house rather than travelling parallel to it.

My home is the original residence in this block dating back to 1890. Unfortunately, it is built right to the boundary, therefore placing it unsafely close to the proposed roundabout.

Given the enormous impact this will have to my family's health and safety (not to mention house value), I insist an urgent discussion to work through this option and understand the measures that you will be taking to resolve these issues and ensure the safety of my household.

Kind Regards,

Attention Mark Brown:-

Regarding our phone conversation, I wish to draw attention to my earlier submissions concerning this site from mid-August, 2100, with photos attached. The original photos were focused on the dangerous traffic on the bridge over Longport Street. Since then, I have been backing proposals for pedestrian underpasses at both Longport Street and Old Canterbury Road. With the proposed increase in the scale of the Lewisham Estates development, there is an even greater need to provide for the extra traffic to and from the new West Lewisham station.

As a supporter of the Greenway corridor, I still see this as a vital part of the future functioning of the sites and the surrounding areas for pedestrians, cyclists, dog walkers and the various creatures which need the corridor to migrate and link up the fragmented habitats along the way.

The catchment for the Canal is already heavily paved and subject to flash floods, especially when king tides co-incide with heavy rain. This danger can only increase with all the extra paving being proposed. Past observations confirm that the moving water can move very rapidly.

Thank you for offering to include my comments as a late submission and apologising my delay.

Attached is a submission from myself as President of behalf of the Ashfield & District Historical Society concerning the above Project Application (MP 10_0180) for part of the Summer Hill flour mill redevelopment

Refer to attachment

Refer to attachment