Call for fresh objections

Local residents and business owners should lodge fresh objections to Gosford Council against a seven-storey development proposed for Hardy's Bay, according to Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association.

The development application for the proposed commercial and residential building in Araluen Ave has been re-lodged with amendments to the original application, according to association vice-president Mr Richard Harper.

"You will remember that 600 plus objections to this development were lodged with Gosford City Council late last year," Mr Harper said.

"The proponents have now come back with amendments to the proposal and the amended proposal is now on display and comments must be made to the council by 5pm on Wednesday, March 18.

"Although the amendments appear to save an extra three trees, will possibly soften the look of the building by planting vines and pigface over the balconies, will use more timber in the project, will include the planting of a few new trees and change the surface colour, we will still be looking at a seven storey glass facade going up the slope.

"It will still be reminiscent of the Ettalong monstrosity which dominates the landscape and is so abhorrent to so many of us."

Mr Harper said more than 70 major trees in the spotted gum/ironbark forest on the site would still be destroyed as a result of the amended development application.

"The token trees remaining will do little to alleviate the harshness and will be unlikely to survive," Mr Harper said.

"We also doubt that the trees to be planted by the developer will survive in the long term. "The impact will be unrelieved.

"As we said before, the concept is totally out of character with what we know and love - do we want another Terrigal?

"If one such multilevel development were to be permitted, more will follow."

Mr Harper called on local residents and business owners who submitted objection letters to the development previously to resubmit them.

"If you made an objection last year you must do so again to be counted," Mr Harper said.

"Please note that if far less objections are received this time the developer can claim that their amendments have satisfied previous objections.

"An appeal from anybody who loves the relaxed lifestyle and atmosphere of Killcare needs to be submitted to council immediately.

"To be recorded as an objector you must write to the general manager, Gosford City Council, PO Box 21, Gosford 2250 or email da.submissions@gosford.nsw.gov.au with your name, address and DA number 35452/2008 and why you object to the development.

"Then say a few words, maybe in dot points and base your objection on any or all of

the points including: non-compliance with the character statement for the area; loss of over 70 regionally significant native trees; inappropriate overdevelopment, huge size and bulk; traffic and parking problems in already congested area; non-compliance with floor space ratio."

Newsletter, 12 Mar 2009 Richard Harper, Wagstaffe-Killcare Community Association