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Precincts in Berowra
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?
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Relates to
document:
Housing Strategy Vol2 Pt02 Berowra Precincts (6.506 MB)
Comment 1 17 Mar 2009, 12:13 PM
As a resident of Berowra I must object in the strongest terms to the ridiculous proposal to permit 5-story high density unit developments on the Pacific Highway.
I understand that there is pressure from the State Government to increase accommodation of this type but I also understand the criteria and I don't believe that this area of Berowra matches any, accept for the proximity of the station.
As there will be requirements for these proposed new residents to work, shop, visit health professionals and engage in leisure activities they will need to travel for virtually all of these and (as the pitiful more…
Comment 2 17 Mar 2009, 10:10 PM
I think the amount of development proposed wihtin the plan is excessive.
I think redevelopment of the existing shops, businesses & RSL between the corner of Berowra Waters Rd & Pacific Hwy up to opposite the train station could be positive for Berowra. This strip is an eyesore - so development here of a mixture of both commercial and multi-story residential could be ok.
What consideration has been given to the future of the Berowra RSL club? Will this pose the club with any challenges associated with operating within a residential area?
I think the rest of the proposal for Berowra more…
Comment 3 18 Mar 2009, 2:35 PM
I have posted this comment in Mt Colah and Mt Kuring-Gai sections too...
I have concerns about the safety of bringing more people into Mt Colah, Mt Kuring-Gai and Berowra when there is effectively one road in, and one road out. In a bushfire situation there is roadblock and there has been no planning amongst different sectors on how to remedy this. Council needs to have an emergency plan in place for how to coordinate traffic when bushfire is in this area. You are planning on putting high-density housing right on the main escape routes.
Comment 4 20 Mar 2009, 10:12 AM
I was horrified to see the amount of development being proposed for Berowra. I initially moved to Berowra because it was 'surrounded by the australian bush' and had a great community feel to it. Now that community spirit is about to be lost and the slogan on the stickers will have to be changed to 'surrounded by over development'.
The infrastructure barely copes now with the current number of residents. There is only one main road in and out and good luck using public transport! Many of the express trains don't stop at Berowra and the all stops trains are more…
Comment 4.1 21 May 2009, 9:06 AM
This is certainly a concern. I have lived in the Berowra area for 25 years and watched Berowra & its surrounds slowly grow with the community in mind. I was horrified to read of the current Housing Strategy, in particular how the water/sewage facilities will handle the increased demands, not to mention roads and transport. I understand progress is necessary and development closer to the train station is feasable, however 3-5 storey buildings along the Pacific Highway between Berowra Waters & Waratah Roads is honestly absurd, not to mention would bring down valuations in that immediate area. I am aghasted that this is even being considered in this area and yes, the whole concept is outrageous.
Comment 5 24 Mar 2009, 4:14 PM
I agree with Outraged, Berowra has always been a place for people who want to live with some space around them. I live on the Highway in a house that has stood here for over 75 years. I bought it for the bush views and walks, the easy access to the station, park and school, the shops nearby and the feel of being on a hilltop. The friendliness of the people here came later!
How can it be allowed that I have to move out just because someone else fancies what I own? Do I plant bulbs for spring or is that a foolish thing to do if the house and garden are doomed?
I am sorry there are not more letters here from concerned Berowra people.
Comment 5.1 25 Mar 2009, 10:39 PM
I am also sorry and extremely disappointed that there are not many contributions from the people of Berowra. We really have to get together on this and stop it from happening. My house will be next door to a proposed 5 storey unit block. I work in St Ives and have seen what these blocks look like. Take a drive - you will be horrified. If people think that this is only affecting a small proportion of Berowra - think again - this is simply the start!
Comment 6 25 Mar 2009, 4:41 PM
Whilst I believe that some sympathetic and considered development might be welcome by the community along the Pacific Highway in Berowra (e.g. the block of old shops on the corner of the Highway & Berowra Waters Road), the proposal being put forward by the Council and State Government is TOTALLY UNSUITABLE in every conceivable way for the area, the local community and the current facilities/services that are available. To propose 3-5 storey high density housing/shops is absolutely ridiculous and would create a massive issue for the community as a whole. The council's own document indicates that there is not enough more…
Comment 6.1 26 Mar 2009, 8:57 PM
I think all affected residents are to become the sacrificial lambs in this exercise and are the ones who will be subsidising it because of government's inability and unwillingness to commit to infrastructure planning and investment combined with Council's inability to develop a good strategy.
Don't hold your breath waiting for any compensation from anyone!
Comment 7 26 Mar 2009, 10:33 PM
Yes - I am also a little suprised that more people have not been voicing concerns about the Berowra development.
I have also spoken to a small number of people from within my social network & I am not hearing a whole lot of complaints about it - although, my social network may be quite different to other peoples.
I am beginning to feel that this is going to be very difficult to prevent - this is something I believe the Normanhurst Residents Action Group have understood and so it appears that they are accepting of some level of development.
I think perhaps more…
Comment 7.1 1 May 2009, 12:10 AM
Firstly HSC has to pay for the shorfall in the cost of the rural fire station at the site of the now disused Berowra tollgates - a shortfall of about $400,000 I believe.
Comment 8 1 May 2009, 12:06 AM
How would you like to live in the top storey of a five storey apartment, if it were situated on the Pacific Highway in Berowra. Imagine the noise from the expressway!!!
Comment 9 11 May 2009, 8:13 AM
Page 2 of today's (11/05/09) SMH - PLANNING COUP FOR DEVELOPERS. Dept of Planning has been overhauled so that senior staff who were not sympathetic enough to developers have been given the boot, thus paving the way for developers to maraud Sydney like visigoths.
Check it out!
Comment 10 18 May 2009, 2:08 PM
Brilliant! Berowra will have a 5 story residential Fire & RTA "Observery Tower". At least the North will receive first notice whenever a fire in the surrounding bushland or an accident on the F3 Freeway occurs. If they're really lucky they might just have a family Kookaburra's nest on the balcony.
Get serious HSC...
Comment 10.1 20 May 2009, 9:10 AM
I agree with the points made regarding bushfires , accidents on the freeway and the ever building traffic congestion issue.
I wonder if there has been any though of building a road between say, Mount Colah and Terrey Hills....this would have a major effect on relieving the traffic chaos on the freeway and Pacific Highway in peak periods and emergency situations.
What about the police station in Berowra ? there is one, but that's all it is, an empty building. So more people will mean more late night bored hoons speeding up and down the roads doing their wheel spins and emergency braking practice. I think my overgrown weed covered street has been visited by Councils street sweeper once in 12 months. Berowra is the forgotten suburb, why not push development into the area it's an easy cop out to boost Councils numbers and make it look like it's doing something.
Comment 11 19 May 2009, 6:25 PM
I came to live in the 'BUSHLAND Shire' to be overlooked by bushland,
NOT five story high-rise!
Comment 12 21 May 2009, 1:32 PM
I have been a resident in the Berowra area for 25 years and object strongly to the illogical proposal to allow 3-5 storey high rise development on the Pacific Highway from Berowra Waters Road to Waratah Road. Taking into account the lack of services to facilitate the proposed development eg public transport, sufficient road access, not to mention additional water & sewage; I am aghast at how this could be considered by council.
Berowra has always been a peaceful, family conscientous community living harmoniously with the surrounding bushland.
I accept the fact that there is pressure from the State Government for such development, but would recommend it be from Berowra Waters Road to the train station. If necessary, leaving the other proposed areas as low-rise, say 2-storey townhouses, which already exist.
It is sad to see this area becoming as overcrowded as the lower North Shore, surely commonsense can prevail.
Comment 13 21 May 2009, 2:48 PM
In the recent Housing Strategy forums held by Hornsby Councils' Planning Department, one of the posters read;
"The Challenge for Hornsby Shire:
How can council ensure an adequate supply of houses to meet state government requirements based on a predicated growing & aging population, while PROTECTING BUSHLAND, PROPERTY VALUES, EXISTING RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER & NOT OVERBURDENING ROADS & SERVICES"
By any measure, Hornsby council has NOT ACHIEVED ANY of its objectives!
A five story flat roofed public housing style box building planted in the middle of predominately single story pitched roofed housing is the very antithesis of the stated objective; blighting the bushland, reducing our property values, destroying the existing residential character & overburdening our roads & services!
Comment 14 23 May 2009, 12:02 AM
Our former N.S.W. Regional Director Planning Northern Metropolitan Sydney Area - our area- (now retired & living in multi storey high-rise in Sydney), commented last week about proposed 5 storey high-rise in Asquith - Mt. Colah - Mt. Kuring-gai - Berowra.
"AN OUTRAGEOUS PROPOSAL"
"TOTALLY ALIEN TO THE AREA"
" ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS"
" LACKS COMMON SENSE"
"A TOTALLY STUPID JOKE"
"THIS IS NOT BARCELONA, MADRID OR LONDON"
" IF IT HAPPENED IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY, THERE WOULD BE RIOTS"
"Hornsby Council, (unlike Kuring-gai Council, which refused to listen) has previously undertaken good sensible planning in the shire. This new scatter-gun approach, 'one size fits all', is ridiculous"
When a top planner with 25 years in the N.S.W planning department said this - as well as the vast majority of residents- it is time for Hornsby Council to STOP TRYING TO FORCE 5 STOREY HIGH-RISE DOWN OUR THROATS & come up with a revised plan that develops our village communities instead of attempting to reduce them to the lowest common denominator.
Comment 15 27 May 2009, 5:11 PM
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The following are based not on assumptions but “officially” admitted FACTS.
The Australian Constitution DOES NOT recognise ‘local government’
Attempts by the “government” to alter the constitution to recognize ‘local government’ have failed TWICE. The last Referendum was held on the 3rd of September 1988. 67% of the population REJECTED the proposal for recognition of a third tier of “government”, namely, local “councils”.
The result of any Referendum is LAW. Despite that clear unmistakable affirmation of the Constitution by the people of Australia IN ALL STATES, the “government” (Hawke) introduced the ‘Local Government Act 1989” more…