Precincts in Asquith

The proposal to build 5 story units from Amor Street to Mills Avenue is absolutely stupid. Why not build them oposite Asquith Station by demolishing the present shops and buildings and improving the shopping area closer to the station and provide more competition for coles by providing a mix of businesses and residential and also utilise council car park for air space development.

I also think that residents in Pacific Hwy and Lords Avenue would not be too impressed especially those who have knocked down and rebuilt after approval by council. Residents on western side of Lords Ave. WOULD NOT BE TOO IMPRESSED WITH HAVING TO LOOK ACROSS AT 5 STORY UNITS.If anything 2 story town house developement would be better.

How on earth did HSC come up with the areas for 'Precincts in Asquith'?

One would have thought that the first preference would be for areas that have little (or no) effect on surrounding neighbours.

For example... not Lords Ave where the residents on the Western side will have to look at 5 storey high units and have their existing on street parking limited and general noise levels increased.

Perhaps more suitable locations would include the stretch of the Pacific Hwy North of Mills Ave where the Western side properties back onto parkland (Asquith Park) and Eastern side properties back onto the railway corridor - less people affected here!

Also the precincts along Royston Pde, particularly near Asquith Public and St Matthews Catholic School - ridiculous! Has anyone from HSC tried to drive through here on a weekday morning between 8.30am and 9.30am? Maybe HSC will consider a 'congestion tax' as the solution!

Why is there no mention of the Asquith Shops section (Between Highway and Wattle St)? There was an article in the local paper about this possibly being rezoned to allow up to 10 stories. I'm not keen on 10 stories, but 5 Stories would make sense with ground floor retail and below ground parking for residents (and shoppers?). What they do with these shops greatly affects what they should do in the adjoining areas.

What are they proposing to do with the intersections around the asquith shops and railway bridge? It's already chaotic during peak hours and I don't see how it could be changed to accomodate all the extra traffic without considerable expense. At the very least, there needs to be a pedestrian walkway over the highway and train station. This all needs to be resolved if Asquith is going to be able to accomodate all the extra housing

Before propose to increase the population in this are why not improve other facilities first, such as the shops opposite the station. they are absolutely ugly at the moment. and the local paper has raise the problem since last. but there's nothing change after a year!!

Five storey apartment buildings will completely change Asquith, and the change will be for the worse. One needs to only look at Waitara to see the results of apartment blocks. Asquith will end up looking like a town with concrete boxes. It certainly will not look like a suburb in 'the bushland shire'.

The residents of Asquith do NOT want apartment buildings in Asquith. We don't want to look like Waitara we like Asquith housing just the way it is. Of course a facelift to the Asquith shopping precinct would be wonderful and is needed, but apartment blocks are NOT the solution.

If this proposal goes ahead, I believe that Asquith will be filled with apartment blocks. So we need to stop it now, because apartment blocks are like a disease once an area gets infected it spreads throughout the whole suburb.

The development strategy in Royston Parade is absolutely ridiculous. You only need to travel down that road at school pick ups and drop offs to see the problem. How can any council propose such developments without first fixing the infrastructure to support it.

Planned growth and development can have many positives. State goverments may be pushing local councils to plan for future population growth.

However, if the community doesn't want 3 and 5 storey unit blocks in Asquith, let's hope the Hornsby Council (representatives for local people) listen and stand up to state pressuring.

Through Section 94 Plans Coucil can collect $20k per dwelling without special state govt approval..this means that Coucil can get $20million worth of services & facilities in the Asquith area for free.

This proposal in its current form is silent of many significant issues such as creation and embellishment of open space/a pedestrian overpass over the highway and a pedestrian mall/village park for asquith shops

Planning for this is needed NOW

I was born in 1962,bred & still living in Hornsby & have watched over that time many good & disapointing changes in this shire. 20+ yrs ago I use to take great pride in telling anyone that this was the best place to live because of the it's natural beauty, history & the community spirit of the people of this (ha ha) town. This proposal is the absolutly the worst if not the most ludicrous idea H.S.C has come up with to date. I can only see this as another MONEY GRAB to rake in more rates per hectare as was duel occupancy. And for anyone that lives north of Hornsby will know that the rail & road infersrtucture is to say the least inadequaint to support the current population let alone more. The new platform at Hornsby is great but WHY not upgrade the commuter parking to a multi level car park? What about this big hole in the ground? Inert land fill then it could provide more housing sport or other needs. To say the least I for one have NO second thougts of packing up my family & move away from the area I love & have lived to a better place.

We recently moved into Amor Street, very much settled down for life.The proposal from the council is regretful,if it goes ahead will ruin the pleasant quiteness of this Suburb.

While population growth and the necessary housing demand is nature of the growth, I fully support the alternate proposals / locations being suggested by the people in this forum.

Be assured, we will turn up a family at the Asquith Community Centre meeting.

The proposed rezoning of Asquith as put down in the HSC strategy is at best a very poor effort. Who in their right mind suggested 5 story units for the Jersey St North. This is one of the highest points in Asquith. I would suggest that the areas between Hornsby TAFE and Fire Station, and the Asquith commercial centre opposite Asquith station be rezoned for five (5) and three (3) storey.

When were Coles and BP told of the proposed rezoning? Maybe that why the commercial centre of Asquith has been left off the agenda.

I am a kiwi immigrant, while cycling through this area I fell in love with it. So when my husband and I started our family I convinced him to move this beautiful, QUIET and friendly suburb. I feel like for the 1st time since I moved to Australia I know my neighbours, our children are SAFE as can be, with room to play. This is the perfect compromise for a girl from the country and a boy from the city.

I was gutted to read the proposed plans for Asquith

PLEASE DO NOT allow our wonderful SMALL community to be lost. I am extremely concerned about a 5 storey unit block being built right next to ST Patricks school this is not appropiate!

I agree above suggestions about knocking down existing town centre, rezone and make a wonderful business sector but facing the car park at the back with a courtyard for outdoor eating/coffee shops etc and a 5 storey unit block on top.

Noise, congestion, overcrowding and poor traffic flow I can get furthur up the railway line closer to our jobs, we chose to move here to escape exactly that.

I live in Lords Avenue, Asquith and , like most other residents, bought here rather than in Hornsby as it had no multi-storey buildings and is a relatively quiet, safe area to live.

One great negative that concerns me is the impact on traffic. The southern end of Lords Avenue on a weekday, at present, is a bottle neck with cars only able to negotiate the road in a single file. One can only imagine the chaos if five storey units are erected along the eastern side of Lords Avenue.

Of course a major impact will be to residents, like myself, who live on the western side of Lords Avenue. Besides the view of highrise buildings, it will probably decrease our house resale values considerably. I rang two local Real Estate agents who both suggested this as a major concern.

Of course other negatives will be increased population pressure that will impinge on services such as hospitals, transport, schools etc.

Asquith residents, what worries me is that Normanhurst residents have already met with council and as a result they were invited to a forum with town planners this week. If we wait until the designated 5th May to meet with Council, we might be too late to get any change!

Is there a place and time for an earlier meeting of Asquith residents and Hornsby Councillors? Any suggestions?

June 01, 2009 Closing date for submissions and end of exhibition. Submissions can be made by writing to Council (The General Manager, PO Box 37, Hornsby NSW 1630) or by emailing Council (housing@hornsby.nsw.gov.au).

Common people start writing. Your submissions are what the Council requires if you want to have any impact on the Hornsby Housing Strategy.

NB: All submissions are available for all to see.

WHY NOT MORE TOWNHOUSES ON EAST SIDE OF RAILWAY ?

Why not townhouses for those areas close to the station, such as Haldane (already has some), Winston, Heath ST, Olive ST, Sherbrook Rd. top end of Stokes, Michigan

Maybe add a footbridge across the rail line from those townhouses to the West Asquith shopping area. And finally allow Asquith Girls and Asquith Boys schools to work together better.

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 into Westfield; we would love to have some enhanced, quality retailing in Asquith.

From every property owner’s point of view quality development, particularly Village Shopping facilities complementing the extended Coles Supermarket and 24 hour Pharmacy, is surely worthwhile.

We have lived in Asquith since 1971 and seen Asquith change from a traffic clogged pre Freeway Pacific Highway stop off point to an almost dead, untidy and uninviting shopping precinct.

There are many who can remember the Long Weekend traffic chaos and clogged roads before the Freeway was built.

It was an ugly time for Asquith residents and in our view those protesting about a few quality mid rise developments enhancing everybody’s property values should remember those days; nothing not even a few mid rise developments could be that bad…?

Nothing proposed in the Hornsby Council Asquith Housing Strategy should be feared; the Hornsby Council should be congratulated on having the courage to deliver the initiative for resident review.

As residents and also having an investment property in Asquith have looked carefully at the proposals and can only give Council a big tick.

We already have fine schools; fine churches a terrific golf course; a great park; a brilliantly centred railway station and an easy link to the F3 Freeway.

Our view is that if the limited development is linked to a tasteful Asquith Village Shopping Centre development, all Asquith residents will be the winners.

It is suggested those who are protesting so vehemently take a step back, look at what Asquith was before the Freeway; look at Asquith today as an under resourced somewhat untidy community suburb, stop complaining and get behind Council.

A few, placed mid rise developments will not damage the quality of the suburb; in fact they will enhance the suburb.

They should be grateful for having a forward thinking Council who actually has the best long term interest of Asquith residents at heart.

Asquith residents should clearly understand that some change is inevitable; they need to work with Council to make sure that the outcome is an Asquith Village we can all be proud of.

Yours sincerely,

Tony and Dianne Standley

Let me address this note to all the ‘save Normanhurst activists’ who claim we’re all sitting in the same boat but try to save their b… by slandering Asquith and to all Asquith residents who might have start wondering where the so called Australian decency went to.

Asquith residents have to ask themselves why, if they are living in worthless dwellings in an undesired community, they have to suffer under the permanent onslaught of real estate agents, trying to persuade them to sell their houses to families who fell in love with their homes, streets and neighbourhood?

Asquith people take pride in our place!

Be selfish and stay put!!!

Local business people don’t only live in Asquith, they are living off it. Don’t feed them your homes; they are already gorging themselves in their choice properties down Queens Road adjoining Asquith Golf Club.

When we are talking about heritage it is important not to distort the picture.

Australia was not solely built by the fortunate few living in full brick houses. It was created by hardship and the work of the poorer people who left us their cottages and backyards as a reminder of their achievement.

WHAT WOULD BE ON YOUR WISH LIST FOR A REDEVELOPED ASQUITH SHOPS/COMMERCIAL CENTRE

========

- a library/community resource centre

- a multi-purpose day and evening community activity centre. Used for wedding receptions sometimes, parties, blue light discos. But also Church groups, pre-schoolers, indoor sports etc.

- a pedestrian plaza with alfresco dining, "buskers" occasionally

- a pedestrian overpass to the station (both sides) over the highway and railway.

- special parking easy for disabled access.

- offices for local professionals - legal, medical etc.

- traffic light control of the junction of Amor St, the Pacific Highway, and the up ramp to the railway bridge. Synchronized with the existing traffic lights at Jersy St North / Pacific Hwy. (And the current pedestrian crossing, if there is no pedestrian overpass)

- get rid of Wattle St as a dangerous through laneway!

ARE THERE GOOD EXAMPLES THAT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED ?

What makes them good ?

- The Forum at Leichardt - has multi-storey accommodation and a plaza. Very European.

- Berowra Heights shopping centre ?

- Castlecrag shops on Edinburgh Rd. Well designed, attractive. Good alternative for fruit and veg.

Go Queenslander!!!

I watched yesterdays ‘A Current Affair’ program and saw a bunch of people up in Queensland with some gumption. They refuse to vacate their homes in the name of ‘progress’. But then again: They have a council standing by and up for their community.

In comparison what a sad reflection on democracy do we present!

Has the noise impact of the railyards even been considered when selecting Jesery St North for 5 storey. I wouldn't want to live opposite the noise of shunting trains at all hours of the night. The railyards are apparently only going to get busier (more trains - i won't hold my breath). Putting more residents directly adjacant to noise generating operations is not a quality outcome for the future residents of Asquith.

A portion of the $20mil of local section 94 funds should be allocated to manage the noise or consider lower scale development fronting the yards

I totally disagree with Councils Housing Stratergy. To suggest 5 storey units in Bouvardia and Hyacinth streets as well as Lords Ave is rediculous. I own a house in Amor St. however the side of the street my property is situated on is not included in the Stratergy which means it, along with 4 other properties will be surrounded and overshadowed by these revolting edifices. If Council needs to expand Asquith I would suggest they consider building units where the so called shopping centre is along the highway as it could only improve the eyesore it has become and leave the housing area as it is. I for one do not wish the beautiful suburb of Asquith to become an overpopulated and congested area as Hornsby and Waitara have.

Our objection is on the following grounds, which we hereby request be heard and addressed:

1. Inappropriate development for the area as there is no current high rise or major townhouse development in the area.

2. 3 and 5 storey developments are completely our of character for the area, destroying the community spirit and vista of the area.

3. How many mistakes does our elected Council need to make in The Shire? Five storey development is way to high and over the top and completely out of character. Leave the developments in Hornsby, why ruin the whole Hornsby Shire.

4. Loss of character and community of the area due to mass over development.

5. Lack of facilities such as school (size) , transport and playground and recreational facilities to cope with such an increased number of people in a small area.

6. Traffic congestion, as the area already has a major problem during peak periods, school times and the over bridge on the railway is not designed to take a greater traffic flow.

7. Sherbrook Rd especially at the roundabout at King Rd is already in grid lock in morning peak.

8. If the F3 has a problem the area already suffers badly with traffic congestion with diverted traffic.

9. Public transport including railway and bus are inadequate to cope with such growth of population

10.Increased pressure on already stretched medical facilities such as the hospital and local doctors.

11. Loss of current local existing homes and communities

12. Royston Pde past the golf course to the Pacific Highway could not cope with additional traffic flow especially at the stop sign leading from the F3, the turn onto the Pacific Highway or the additional flow of traffic forced down Sherbrook Rd.

13. Current rail facilities or buses do not run regularly enough to Asquith or Mt Colah stations to cope with additional population.

14. Road size around Baldwin Sherbrook and Royston would not cope with increased volume of traffic. Problems already exist and these would be greatly increased by such large developments.

15. Construction traffic would destroy the area with additional noise and heavy vehicle traffic flow, with road limits exceeded.

16. Lack of parking is already of major concern to the local residents, how will the area cope with more commuters and pedestrians?

17. Visit Asquith Public School or St Patrick's when parents are dropping off or picking up kids - how could anyone let alone a town planner / developer believe that the area could with more residents?

We further object to the description given of the homes in the Baldwin Rd section. Our homes are older looking but, full of character and very well maintained and a lot of money and work has been put in to renovate/restore them to ensure they remain in harmony with the area. These are our homes you have wrongly described and we take great offence to the description given.

The large increase in population would tax the area both in traffic and community facilities.

Overall the plan would be a blight on the area and completely out of context with the overall areas style, look and feel.. This is not Hornsby and I think the unit block area on David Edgeworth Drive etc are poorly thought through and a eyesore. Its not what Asquith needs.

The major reason we decided to move into the Asquith area was to escape the over developed areas. Asquith has a great community spirit and old charm. It is ludicrous that any Council could even fathom ruining the area with this proposed development - Where will it end?

We will be attending the meeting on 5th May 2009, and we can only hope the Council will be prepared to address all our concerns.

Deeply concerned residents of Asquith.

To all the people giving the tick to the development plans, I have one question: Why do you live in Asquith?

Please sell out or move out, there are still some homes available on David Edgeworth you can buy or move into.

Stop the push to profit on the destruction of Asquith.

First Hornsby, then Waitara now Asquith & Mt Colah - the developers will never stop. They do not care about the areas they destroy. They plunder, profit & leave. The residents are left to campaign for the next 40years to receive the infrastructure improvements that will be forgotten as soon as the developments get approved. Who wants to take a wager that the same people that are "ticking" the proposed developments will be the first ones to sell out & move further down the line?

I pray common sense will prevail & hopefully the HSC & the developers will soon get the message that the answer is NO.

RECENT CONVERSATION AT AN UNSPECIFIED ASQUITH HOUSEHOLD.

Husband: I have to leave my car at the station tonight and catch the train to Homebush.

Wife: Do you think it will be ok parked there?

Husband: Well, it’s not exactly new, stylish or expensive, so it should be. But then again,

it might be demolished & a high rise built on top of it.

HA HA HA HA HA HA!

Removed by moderator. Comment was a duplicate of the previous comment

Morning all,

Just a reminder Judy Hopwood is at Hornsby Mall this Saturday 4th April, 10am to 12 noon to discuss matter concerning Asquith.

So put a spare 30 mins aside & get down there & express your concerns.

Country districts in NSW often suffer a lack of basic services and facilities concerning health, education and transport (all state responsibilities) resulting in further decrease in population due to migration towards cities.

The state government should see the sense of directing the influx of qualified immigrants towards communities in need of revitalisation.

For those who think the above is an unlikely scenario:

State government requires that new dwellings be situated close to train stations.

For us who would like to use public transport to commute to work it’s often a way leading to nowhere.

When you study job advertisements you’ll find an increasing number ending with: Own transport essential!

A requirement in a lot of cases not to perform your job but simply to reach your workplace since once your train arrives at your destination you find yourself stranded.

There aren’t enough bus services if any even to larger industrial areas. Neither do the timetables of available buses coincide with start or finish times of companies.

I suggest, if they insist of adding another 2600 dwellings to our shire, to lower the impact of development on smaller communities by spreading this burden in a sensible and sensitive way throughout the whole of Hornsby shire to enforce a Sydney wide drastic improvement of public transport.

More multiunit dwellings are not necessary but more buses are essential.

This “Housing Strategy” is ill timed is tantamount to a future planning disaster, makes no effort to address the overburden on existing infrastructure, changes forever the dream of living in a quiet peaceful street, places the bourdon of increased rates (by stealth) on effected households, severely disadvantages and discriminates against home owners in favor of developers.

Some Ponderings:

 Rate increases.

 Insurance increases due to increase in housing density.

 Devaluation of properties both in and adjoining the 25 precincts.

 Traffic calming devices, Humps, chicanes, deflection posts.

 Parking issues (with increased number of People and vehicles).

 Parking restriction signs or meters (revenue raising).

 Overshadowing (solar access restricted to 3 hours max).

 Faces peering into you backyard from 5 storeys.

 Increased noise (traffic, garbage collection, parties).

 A clear and present DANGER, now that the strategy is a proposal HSC will give favorable consideration to any application for high density development in any of the 25 precinct nominated.

 And this will be the case to any properties adjoining the precincts who wish to Duplex develop their property.

 Given the economic down turn it might explain why 500 apartments on the north shore remain unsold with more on the way or is it greed fueled by the “North Shore” factor asking $800,000 for a two bed apartment at Wahroonga.

 It is a sad indictment on the real estate industry when you hear of the developer giving free accommodation to relatives in a block to give potential buyers the impression that units are being sold.

 With the government plan to build 6,000 public housing units this year, might not they, be a developer in any one of these precincts.(another Bronx).

 Those constituents who become sardines when using state rail, will they become krill and be packed in even tighter.

 How many more trains can be put on a system that runs 10 minute intervals (not north of Hornsby) on one track (a Disaster in the making).

 I wondered why council narrowed our street when they curbed and guttered 12 months ago, now I have the answer, So they could either change street boundary lines for there developer friends or provide more parking by permitting 90 degree angle parking.

All the rezoning in one go is silly...it should be staged so that the intial area nearest to the shops is completed (or nearing completion) before the next stage commences or we will be subject to a spead out mismash of development construction areas for years. THIS IS A RECOGNISED BEST PRACTICE PLANNING STRATEGY.

There should be a graduation of Building Height so that differences in Development style are graduated and impact on existing development to be retained (the current urban environment of 1 & 2 storey single houses) is minimised. THIS IS A RECOGNISED BEST PRACTICE PLANNING STRATEGY.

There should be a masterplan for public infrustructure (parks, pathways,a pedestrian overpass over the highway and rail line, a plaza at the rear of the Asquith Shops Traffic control systems etc).THIS IS A RECOGNISED BEST PRACTICE PLANNING STRATEGY.

There should be a Plan to collect money from developers to provide these facilities (A section 94 Contributions Plan can raise at least $20,000 per new dwelling...thats nearly $20million to pay for those facilities.THIS IS A RECOGNISED BEST PRACTICE PLANNING STRATEGY.

OUR COUNCIL NEEDS TO (AND I AM SURE WILL BE WILLING TO) DO THE ADDITIONAL WORK NEEDED FOR THIS PROPOSAL TO BE GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION BY THE ASQUITH COMMUNITY.

Breaking News

Hornsby Council have had a brain infarction in relation to their “Housing Strategy”

They have found two new suburbs which they have named “Valley Glenn” and “Range Mews”.

Valley Glenn is located 15 minutes walk to Hornsby railway has existed since the days of an old man who pioneered the area, then it was forgotten for a long time and was a playground for the likes of Ginger Meggs until two vandals named Farley and Lewis plundered the area for many many years until there was nothing left just a great big useless hole in the ground and a small pioneering families graveyard. Then it came to pass that the Council bought it back with 25 million of Rate payer money and said the LAW made them do it ?, then out came the salt and it was rubbed into the rate payers with a vengeance in the form of a levy called, “pay for the hole”.

History aside it has now become clear that this area has the potential to provide a large part of the quota for the councils “Housing Strategy”; It would only need the development of one third of the site the rest would be open space and recreational facilities which would be funded from the sale. As for “The hole” it would be fenced and turned into a world class water feature just like the doesn’t work “The Clock”

or maybe filled with the unwanted waste from the F3 to M7 dream orbital.

This new suburb has three points for access and egress, Bridge Road, Quarry Road and Rosemead Rd so being bushfire prone evacuation is manageable. High rise here would be unobtrusive to anyone.

Range Mews being 15 minutes by bus from Hornsby railway has also existed for many years to serve the indulgences of but a few, it consists of a tract of land running on a ridge from Rosamond Road at Hookhams Corner out into Berowra Valley Regional Park, again one third of this site developed with medium density housing along with the Valley Glenn quota would be the equivalent of 8 – 10 precincts of the Housing Strategy. (Normanhurst, Asquith, Mt Colah, Mt Kuringai and Berowra). Being again a bushfire prone area access and egress would be solved via Marcus Clark Road and the continuance of Stewart Ave and Clarinda Street. The facility for the indulgent few along with its noise factor can be relocated to a more suitable tract of open land away from community areas, maybe Wisemans Ferry, after all a Rifle Range does not belong in a built up urban area where bullets fly over the heads of people using the Great North Walk and Regional Park.

The Council is to be applauded.

I think?

PS

A development at South Dural will yield 2900 new homes and the development of Epping Town Centre 1500 new apartments, both are under consideration by the Department of Planning.

Just to let ALL concerned residents know that I saw a sign has been posted on the cnr of Pacific Hwy & Amor St inviting everyone to a rally that is to be held at the park on the cnr Hyacinth & Amor Sts on the 26th of April at 15:00hrs(3pm) to "SAY NO" to the Hornsby Shire Housing Strategy. I hope that every man,woman & child will attend!!!!

P.S. NO I didn't put up the sign but wish that I thought of it first.

The proposed development will destroy our quality of life and our right to chose our surroundings will be lost as the developers take control of our streets. The streetscape will become unsightly, over crowded with parked cars and traffic congestion. Our tiny parks will be swamped and dirty. A quick drive to Waitara and we can see what to expect - loss of trees, concrete, pollution and too many people for small spaces.

It is disappointing that the council will destroy another suburb in order to "tick the box" for state government and to make developers rich.

Lets have thoughtful investment and progress that enables our suburb to retain it's character and retain the features that make it attractive to families.

Like almost everyone else, I'm against the unsuitable redevelopment proposed for Asquith by "our" council. If approved, it would totally change the character of the suburb. The reason I chose to live in Asquith was that it wasn't full of townhouses and five storey developments.

I'm very disappointed with the way Hornsby Shire Council has handled this process. They are supposed to be respresenting the residents of Hornsby Shire but they seem to be more focussed on pleasing the housing directives of the NSW government. If the council, including Mayor and Councillors, are not going to stand up and support the views of the people then there's really no value in having a local council at all. Come on Mayor and Concillors, make a visible and clear stand against this proposal. If you don't then we may as well save on our rates and just make do with a state government.

Before the rally in the park at the end of hyacinth st on the 26/04/09 people should do a few things :

1. Check the certificate of title to their property, if it is in fee simple, google the definition.

2. Remember the Australian people have twice rejected by referendum a change to the constitution to recognise local government. So how can a body not recognised rezone anything, okay the NSW government will do it in place of the council go back to point 1.

3 We are told that the rezoning is to accommodate the increase in population in Sydney and NSW so why is the Electoral Commission reducing the number of Federal representatives in NSW from 49 to 48? People are leaving NSW that's why.

4 Ask why are the Asquith shops the only centre in all of the precincts to be rezoned left off the list?

5 Ask Judy Hopwood to please speak her mind, is she for it or against it. As a potential minister in the next government we should know now. Will the coalition government adopt the rezoning as is or modify it so Asquith is free of high rise. Remember, if the Asquith shopping centre is rezoned high rise I predict it will be more than 5 storeys and it will be a great excuse for additional high rise to bring in more people to fund and support it.

6 This rezoning can only be won or loss in court with the current NSW government.

That's why we need to know what Barry O'Farrell and Judy Hopwood think. The Hornsby Shire council is only the side show here. We should prepare for a legal fight all the way to the top, and that is going to cost. I wouldn't bet my house on it.

'Urban consolidation' should not mean a suburban sprawl of highrise dwellings. Urban dwellings should be built in urban hubs; the damage is already done in Hornsby- keep all new high rise there.

People want to live in houses and homes- the demographic of new residents to Asquith is families- Australian and immigrants. Let the 'smaller housesholds and 'aging population' who want highrise living, do so in an highrise suburbs. Elderly people in Asquith might vacate their big blocks for a nice smaller home, but they are not going to move to a block of flats. All developments in Asquith should be approprite low rise.

If five storey properties are allowed into such inappropriate places, our shire will be much diminished, particularly in claiming the title 'Bushland Shire'- Five Storey blocks on Royston Parade-the road to Bobbin Head- we'll be a joke!!!

This morning I noticed wires are installed across Royston Pde near the ASQUITH sign measuring traffic flow. Has anyone else seen any similar traffic measuring devices elsewhere?

I wonder if these will remain after school holidays are finished and the traffic flow increases.

I agree that the whole development scheme is rediculous, please take a look at the message i sent through to Judy Hopwood after the rally yesterday.

My name is _______ and i have been a resident of Asquith for 23 Years (all my life). I find it absolutely disgusting that the council can go ahead and develop apartments with unannounced plans that have been supposedly in existence for 10 years. It is even worse that they have not notified anybody publicly that they have such an intention.

If they really wanted to go about it