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Collapse Issue 456 - 22 Oct 2018Issue 456 - 22 Oct 2018
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Building density increase proposed for Woy Woy
Bungaree to be commemorated at Pearl Beach
Dredging delays ferry service for another month
Group to fight over-development of Peninsula
Clean4Shore wins people's choice award
Waterways committee formed at community meeting
Council to prepare long-term dredging plan
Hotel in running for award
Beaches graded as 'good'
Community group urges residents to become involved
Oyster Festival is all set to proceed
Woytopia may be rescheduled before Christmas
Housing strategy comment period extended 90 days
New hall proposed at retirement village
Council considers non-complying proposal
Work may proceed on townhouses
Construction certificate granted for four units
Council allows restaurant seating to double
Changes approved for proposed childcare centre
State policy changes before council adopts it
Locks installed on CWA flagpoles
Climate change policy not due before February
Restaurant wins fourth chef's hat
Rotary club helps with Moonlight Cinema
Seniors citizens' centre to host a bazaar
English conversation resumes
New jetski for life saving club
Market day continued success
Volunteer thanked by Tesch
Rotary afternoon tea raises $800
Free parenting sessions at community centre
Uniting church plans fashion parade and arts day
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
A home must deliver low-cost living
'Showcase' ignores council and community concerns
State Government has a responsibility for channel
Common sense and beer budget should prevail
Council should decide planning implications
Mother Nature does not act alone
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Sedentary health issues on the rise, says chiropractor
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Philharmonia farewells musical director at Woy Woy
Pottery resumes with repair of kiln
Jeannie Lewis to perform at folk club
Foundation holds awards day
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Alice in Wonderland musical was a sell-out success
Parents asked to provide information now
Cultural continuum excursion
Students discuss cyber-bullying
Early childhood consultant offers workshop
Parents asked to make way for grandparents
Headstart starts on Thursday
Preschool rating was 'excellent'
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Swans join new AFL league
Nominated for best comeback of the year
Life savers return from international competition
Pelicans win medals at masters championships
Volunteer training for disabled surfing
Tennis court and bowling green named at Pearl Beach
Presentation day
Jemma Smith nominated for national award
Association readies for the touch football season

A home must deliver low-cost living

I am astounded that the consultant engaged by the developer of 4 Piper St, Woy Woy, is totally disregarding the R1 General residential zoning constraints (Peninsula News edition 455).

Firstly, ceiling heights are required to be 2.7m, not the 2.4m submitted, supported by the argument, "The proposed ceiling heights will not result in any appreciable loss of amenity to the residents."

What if owners want to install ceiling fans?

This is particularly relevant in the upstairs bedrooms where they are an absolute necessity in our increasingly hot summers.

They further argued that "open stairwells with voids above ground floor entry vestibule space" makes up for the lower ceiling heights.

I urge Council to refuse this point because such voids create even more problems during winter because any space heating used in the ground floor will disappear into these voids and increase energy costs for the residents.

Heat loss, like this, can be easily avoided by containing stairwells and providing a means of closing them off.

This should be encouraged in all two storey designs.

The consultant wants to flout the minimum setback citing that, "The proposed setbacks do not compromise outdoor recreation space, privacy or amenity either for the residents or neighbours".

What about solar access?

There's no mention of this in the application.

Furthermore more, the multiple roof angles in the design make the installation of solar panels impossible.

The cost of electricity can be greatly reduced by householders installing roof top solar panels and the maximum can only be installed on roofs with a single, northern face.

There are many other important sustainable design features that appear entirely neglected in this uninspiring and pedestrian design: No mention of common areas suitable for a vegie garden, no mention of living areas facing north, no shading of windows facing north, no mention of recycled watering systems for common gardens and so on.

Much of the problem is the totally unsatisfactory building constraints that are applied by the Central Coast Council.

They need a complete reworking to include a far higher efficiency rating, at least eight stars that give residents the maximum amenity and lowest operating costs.

Council's Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy emphasises the importance of low cost housing including not only affordable purchase prices but also low operating costs.

A home is a machine that must be designed to deliver low cost, efficient living for its inhabitants.

Using passive solar principles will ensure the best possible outcomes.

Developers, trying to squeeze the most profit from their plans that flout even the most basic amenity regulations, are even more unwilling to implement these simple and low cost improvements.

They cost very little more but deliver a much better result for home owners.





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