Hornsby Shire Housing Strategy

Council is trying to encourage more housing close to shops and train stations in Normanhurst. Do you support this approach? Do you have any comments? 

Council is trying to encourage more housing close to shops and train stations in Asquith. Do you support this approach? Do you have any comments? 

Council is trying to encourage more housing close to shops and train stations in Mt Colah. Do you support this approach? Do you have any comments? 

Where else do you think extra housing should be provided? 

Council welcomes your input, suggestions, ideas and comments on any aspect of this Strategy.  

Council is trying to encourage more housing close to shops and train stations in Waitara. Do you support this approach? Do you have any comments? 

Council has developed new guidelines to control the character of new 5 storey buildings. Do you think these controls are adequate?  

It is a fact that your blue collar worker would most likely not want to live in Edgecliff (if he could afford it) likewise a high flying wealth chief executive would not choose to live in the less affluent suburbs of Sydney. Why not? The answer is that they would not be living in an area which would provide them with compatible social contacts and activities. They would prefer to live amongst families of similar social backgrounds. This is not 'snobbery' it is a plain fact. Thus the choice of location in which to dwell is important, otherwise a person or family read more  …

Council is trying to encourage more housing close to shops and train stations in Berowra. Do you support this approach? Do you have any comments? 

Council is trying to encourage more housing close to shops and train stations in Thornleigh. Do you support this approach? Do you have any comments? 

Council is trying to encourage more housing close to shops and train stations in Hornsby. Do you support this approach? Do you have any comments? 

From: RETAiL Alert Group Tony Standley [mailto:info@adsass.com.au] Sent: 29 March 2009 14:19 To: 'editor@hornsbyadvocate.com.au' Subject: ..we are supportive in general principal, of Hornsby Council’s Asquith Housing Strategy; a quality Shopping Village promoting new, independent Asquith small retail and restaurant businesses?
To the Editor
The Hornsby Advocate
Dear Sir,
There is no doubt that Asquith needs some quality development and we are supportive in general principal, of Hornsby Council’s Asquith Housing Strategy.
Out of the proposed Housing Strategy there is an opportunity for Asquith residents to demand a quality Shopping Village promoting new, independent Asquith small retail and restaurant businesses.
As residents we do not enjoy having to battle read more  …

Council is trying to encourage more housing close to shops and train stations in Carlingford. Do you support this approach? Do you have any comments? 

Council is trying to encourage more housing close to shops and train stations in West Pennant Hills. Do you support this approach? Do you have any comments? 

Council is trying to encourage more housing close to shops and train stations in Mt Kuring-gai. Do you support this approach? Do you have any comments? 

Two articles in the Hornsby Advocate March 26th have a strong bearing on the Council’s re-zoning plans. “South Dural set for 3000 new homes” reveals that there are residents in South Dural very keen to re-zone land for new dwellings and having some obstacles put in their way and “On a road to nowhere” informs us that there is a planned high rise next to Hornsby Station alongside existing high rise apartments, possibly 60 -70 dwellings.
Take into account the vacant block awaiting redevelopment on Romsey Street, Waitara, which is bigger eyesore that the buildings already built, (estimated 120 dwellings) and we have more dwellings in the pipeline that the Council’s stated requirement for the next ten years. Surely these projects are better than destroying fine existing homes and displacing existing residents?
Isn’t this what people call a ‘no brainer’? The only things that are missing are the Queen of Hearts, the white rabbit and the smiling Cheshire cat!!!  

Why are the areas of Hornsby west side, within easy walk of Hornsby station and many facilities, not inlcuded for rezoning.
Sure, there are several heritage buidlings in this area. But there is also plenty of scope for some units, townhouses and villas.
I would suggest - rezone all within 400m of Hornsby station to allow 3 or 5 storey units (not 5 storey next to heritage), townhouses or villas. - rezone all between 400m and 800m to allow townhouses or villas. 

There is considerable concern expressed by the community that high rise developments are not environmentally sustainable. That townhouaes and villas are the way to go.
What are the facts, figures and views. Is the Strategy making things worse, or better, in regard to sustainability, energy consumption, CO2 emissions ?  

Aftert June 1st, date for close of submissions to council, what happens next.
My view is we need to soehow establish a group of thoughtful "concerned citizens"(Proponents, Opponents and the in-betweens) to make sure Hornsby Council properly engages with the community, that they have a community group to interact with as they move the planning to the next stages ? A "ginger group" to make sure they do not get lazy or complacent abou tthe whole thing.
If you think so too, please check the website "Hornsby Info & Discussion" http://hornsby.wetpaint.com/page/Concerned+Citizen%27s+Group to add your name and your ideas of what we can do next. 

A concern for many people is - will the utilities and services cope. We already have enough problems with electricity black-outs. What about the high schools, sewerage etc.
As we get real information on these matters, it can be accumulated at http://www.hornsby1.info/page/ISSUES+RE+UTILITIES+etc. IF you find mor einfo, please add it.