Community campaign results in 70 objections

A community campaign has resulted in over 70 objections being lodged against the proposed $11.1 million residential flat building on the corner of Blackwall Rd and Farnell Rd, Woy Woy.

Mr Harvey McDougall, founding member of Save Our Woy Woy said he chaired a meeting at Woy Woy Leagues Club on Wednesday, June 20, to give the community an opportunity to discuss the development application for 27 units and seven townhouses at 170 to 176 Blackwall Rd and 8 Farnell Rd.

"We had 35 people there which I thought was great, being a first meeting and at 6pm," Mr McDougall said.

"We had one person in favour of the development who didn't speak at all during the meeting and the rest were all in favour of something happening to either change the development or get it defeated outright," he said.

"I know it is all zoned for 11 metres height but it is over height and the floor space ratio has increased.

"There was lots of anger about the traffic outcome and what it is going to do around this local neighbourhood."

Mr McDougall said submissions had been written to Council outlining community concerns about height, floor space ratio, two out of four setbacks being non-compliant, traffic issues, and parking issues.

He said parking was of particular concern due to the proposed underground parking supplemented by 15 spots in Farnell Rd "which would be on the nature strip".

"The meeting discussed noise.

"It is going to increase shadowing over the properties next door to it in Farnell Rd and Blackwall Rd.

"It is out of character with the area at present, because it is surrounded by villas apart from a two storey block of units at 2 Farnell Rd.

"Storm water issues were discussed.

"We honestly believe the whole street should be kerb and guttered with new storm water drains before any development is done.

"We live nearby.

"We have a storm water drain out the front that doesn't go anywhere, it just fills up and goes into the street.

"It has been discussed with Council three times and nothing has been done as yet."

Mr McDougall said he had attended a Central Coast shopping centre "pop-up" to speak with acting general manager Mr Brian Glendenning, who he gave copies of previous emails "and still didn't hear back".

"There are also privacy issues because the building will look directly across at front yards, we will have 10 units looking into front yards.

"Bins will be an issue.

"The amount they will allocate to the establishment will go on either Farnell or Blackwall and depending whether they have individual bins for individual units it will be 34 x 2 on every pick up night."

According to Mr McDougall, residents are concerned that the exit and entry to the development would be by one single lane each way which could be a traffic hazard because of a near-by bus stop.

"If a bus is also going to stop there somewhere, it is going to cause havoc for the people trying to get out or in and all traffic going to flow onto Blackwall Rd which is already over capacity."

Mr McDougall said residents believed the date on the traffic report submitted to Council was incorrect and that the survey of traffic was conducted on a pupil-free day with lighter than usual flows.

"The meeting overwhelmingly decided to continue our objections against this," he said.

"The submissions ... close on July 12 and we are encouraging people.

"We have informed people that we need 50-plus submissions to get it to go to a Council meeting so they then have an opportunity to speak against it.

"We intend calling another meeting after speaking with Councillors and the Member for Gosford," he said.

Mr McDougall said, "I am sending messages to all Councillors to let them know the community is, in majority, against this size of development because the bulk and scale of development is inappropriate, which will lead to an increase in traffic, a decrease in available parking, an increase in local noise, a decrease in available sunlight and a decrease in green space for native birds.

"Infrastructure needs attention before these structures are even thought of."

SOURCE:

Interview, 21 Jun 2018

Harvey McDougall, Save Our Woy Woy

DA54551/2018, 27 Jun 2018

Gosford DA Tracker, Central Coast Council

Reporter: Jackie Pearson