Trees wrongly removed from development site

Two mature gums trees that were marked for retention have been removed from one of the development sites in the Mowbray Precinct.

Residents had alerted Council staff about the issue, however by the time the Council staff member inspected the site the following the day the trees were already gone.

The trees had contained birds nest and were an important food source and habitat for wildlife in the area.

The North Shore Times reported on the incident and invites residents to comment on their response to this matter http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/trees-wrongly-cut-down-in-mowbray-rd-precinct/

Excavation time reduced but not working hours

Lane Cove Councillors considered a report by Council staff on Saturday building and construction hours in the Mowbray Precinct at their May Council meeting.

This report was produced as a request by some Councillors concerned about the the extensive development potential of the Precinct, and the impact of demolition and excavation works to date.

Even though surrounding Councils have reduced working hours on a Saturday and many residents spoke at the Council meeting highlighting the impact of the noise from the development sites, Lane Cove Councillors voted to retain the extended Saturday working hours in the Mowbray Precinct, but restrict excavation, haulage truck movements, rock picking, jack-hammering and pile driving.

The North Shore Times 2 June edition includes a report on resident pleas and concerns regarding this issue  http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hyecorp-property-group-lane-cove-council-mowbray-rd-gordon-crescent-megan-agnew/

It also invites residents to comment on the article outlining their experiences.

JRPP refuses $47m development

The Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) assessed and refused Hyecorp’s $47 million development application for Centennial Ave and Gordon Crescent properties at  Lane Cove Council Chambers on Thursday 17 May based on

• Non compliance with the LEP height standard
• Excavation of the site below the existing ground leve resulting in reduced amenity to a substantial number of units
• Inadequate building separations

The Panel was mindful of difficulties in developing the site due to its topography. Development is possible on this site, however it may need to be at a reduced density then what was proposed in Hyecorp’s development application.

This has been the largest development application to be submitted in the Mowbray Precinct to date.  Hyecorp’s unsuccessful development application included the demolition of 11 houses and the construction of three residential flat buildings incorporating 186 dwellings, a shop and basement car park for 295 cars. Full details can be read in the minutes of the meeting on the JRPP website http://www.jrpp.nsw.gov.au/DevelopmentRegister/tabid/62/ctl/view/mid/424/JRPP_ID/940/language/en-AU/Default.aspx

Say high to Lane Cove Council’s backflip

The North Shore Times has reported on Lane Cove Council’s 16 April Council meeting where the majority of the Councillors voted to endorse the zoning of the Mowbray Precinct as high density, with a few minor exceptions.

Read more. http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/comments/say-high-to-lane-cove-councils-backflip/

High density zoning to remain in Mowbray Precinct

Lane Cove Councillors in their meeting of 16 April endorsed the proposed amendments to the 2009 Local Environment Plan (LEP) for the Mowbray Precinct with only a few minor amendments.

The majority of the Councillors voted to retain the R4 high denisty zoning in the Mowbray Precinct. The only exception Council has made from high denisty zoning in the Precinct are:

1. A small area of the bushland streets of Kullah Pde, Pinaroo and Merinda Streets.  Council has zoned this area E4 Environment Living, due to large Asset Protection Zones (the set back required due to the bushfire prone area) precluding high density developments on these sites.
2. A small section of Mindarie St directly above Kullah Pde. Council has zoned this area as E4 Enviromental Living to keep a dedicated ‘precinct’ of E4 zoning and alleviate the impacts of amenity loss on the single dwellings of Kullah Pde. Read the rest of this entry »

High Density Developments – Approvals

During late 2011 a number high density developments have been approved in this area.

Read the rest of this entry »

Strategic Review Complete

The Mowbray Rd Precinct Strategic Review conducted by Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DoPI) and Lane Cove Council to inform the planning framework for the Precinct, is complete. The Council meeting of 5 December considered the report.

The report includes an overview of the Strategic Review Planning studies and recommendations with regard to a proposal for Lane Cove Council to submit to the LEP Gateway, including new zoning and floor space ratios for apartment blocks in the area.

As a result of the Strategic Review, the zoning and dwelling yield prediction in the Precinct is different from the LEP Gateway down-zoning proposal Council submitted in March 2011, including increasing the total number of dwellings in the Precinct to 1,197 (an increase of 763 from the March 2011 down-zoning proposal of 434).

The complete Strategic Review Studies:

• The Strategic  Review Report prepared by the Project Control Group, including representatives from DoPI and Lane Cove Council
• JBA Planning Study + Appendices
• SMEC Traffic Study

can be accessed here , Dept of Planning review

Appeals upheld in the Land & Environment Court

The Land & Environment Court has upheld the developer appeals  9-11 Mindarie St (Hindset) and 554-560 Mowbary Rd (Landmark).

Read the Commisioner’s full determination

• Hinset vs Lane Cove Council http://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/action/PJUDG?jgmtid=154229
• Landmark vs Lane Cove Council http://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/action/PJUDG?jgmtid=154149

Urban Link’s case for 532-534 Mowbray Road & 72-74 Gordon Crescent commenced today (25 August) and will continue tomorrow (26 August) with on-site hearing at 9am.

Land & Environment Court Proceedings Commence

The Land & Environment Court proceedings for the high rise developments that were refused by the Joint Regional Planning Panel in May, have now commenced.

Hindset’s case for 9-11 Mindarie St began on 25 July with on-site visit by Commissioner Tuor and witness accounts by residents who raised issues of overshadowing, privacy and traffic.  Read NST’s report of this case (26 July) http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/court-visits-mowbray-rd-precinct/. This case continues on 8 August at the Land & Environment Court (225 Macquarie St Sydney).

Landmark’s case for 554-560 Mowbary Rd was heard on 2nd & 3rd August by Commissioner Hussey.  The witness accounts by residents raised similar issues but also included in the impacts of development on the Batten Reserve.  Read NST’s account of this hearing (8 August)  http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/doubt-over-mowbray-rd-bushfire-prone-area/.  This hearing of this case is now complete, it is awaiting determination.

Urban Link’s case for 532-534 Mowbray Road & 72-74 Gordon Crescent will be heard on 25 and 26 August. Commencing with on-site visit by Commissioner at 9.30am on 25 August and continuing in the Land & Environment Court.

Developers awaiting Land & Environment Court Hearings

North Shore Times (22 July) reports on the up-coming Land & Environment Court hearings for the $36 million worth of developments in the Mowbray Precinct that were refused by the Joint Regional Planning Panel in May.

Read article http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/testing-time-for-precinct/