Preserving Our Heritage since 1968

The Hunters Hill Trust

The Hunters Hill Trust

Preserving Our Heritage since 1968

St Peter Chanel Church – Development Update

A Win for Heritage in the Land and Environment Court!

Following the formal onsite meeting of the Land and Environment Court (LEC) on 28 May, the Hunters Hill Trust is pleased to report that the LEC has refused the DA but encourages members to maintain a watching brief in case the decision is appealed. Council’s solicitors wrote to residents setting out the reasons for the judgement as follows:

The Commissioner’s ‘reasons for refusal chiefly related to the proposal’s detrimental impact on the heritage significance of the site, including impacting on views to and from the Church, the impact on the setting and curtilage of the Church as well as the uncertainty regarding contamination of the site.’

The Trust supported Hunters Hill Council in believing the sub-division would have been entirely unsuitable for the site. Apart from detracting from the character of the Church’s setting within the heritage of Crescent Street and compromising a significant landmark visible from the water, the location would have been difficult to build on and would have resulted in the destruction of the sandstone rock shelf and mature trees.

We congratulate all residents and objectors who presented such a strong case and stood up in defence of heritage.

2019-06-16T21:16:10+10:00June 9, 2019|

Hunters Hill Trust Journal, June 2019

The Hunters Hill Trust Journal Volume 57, No 1, June 2019 is available here.

This edition includes:

  • From the President’s Desk – Alister Sharp
    • AGM Report
    • Membership
    • Interaction with Council
    • Walks & Events 2018 -2019
  • How Our Garden Suburb is Changing
  • The Farm Attendant’s Cottage – Waruda
  • DA Updates
    • New Sports Complex St Joseph’s College
    • St Peter Chanel
    • 1 & 3 Ryde Road
  • Dismantling of the Office of Environment and Heritage
  • Heritage-Listed Boronia Park
  • Green Book Update
2020-01-15T10:06:52+11:00June 1, 2019|

‘exempt & complying developments’ threaten HH character

under construction

heritage item next door

A recent development at No 8 Earnshaw Street Gladesville (at left) is an example of the impact of the Exempt and Complying Development Code on the character of Hunters Hill.

Were it not for the Complying Development SEPP this development proposal would have been assessed under the controls of Hunters Hill Council’s LEP and DCP.  Council’s Conservation Advisory Panel would have viewed the proposal and its advice incorporated into Council’s assessment.

There is another anomaly with this particular development.  At first sight it would appear to be a dual occupancy on a single block of land.  However this is not the case.   There are in fact two lots at 8 Earnshaw St.   One is just over 6m wide, while the other is a little over 12m wide.  The smaller block has an area of around 230m2 and the larger block’s area is about 450m2.  Neither block complies with the LEP minimum of 700m2.  How this unusual subdivision occurred is not known.

(more…)

2019-04-16T23:24:00+10:00April 12, 2019|

Another blow to heritage in NSW

The recently re-elected Liberal State Government will dismantle that the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and its two principal functions will be absorbed by other departments.

ArchitectureAU says “The environmental protection and management functions of the office will be moved to an enlarged “Planning and Industry” department, while the heritage functions of the office will be moved to the arts portfolio.  Speaking to reporters on 2 April, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, “We’ve moved heritage into the arts, because heritage and the arts have a very strong focus.”

(more…)

2019-04-22T09:19:26+10:00April 12, 2019|

‘Exempt and complying developments’ in Hunters Hill

In 2008 the NSW State Labor Government introduced State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying  Development Codes) to ‘provide streamlined assessment processes for development that complies with specified development standards’.   Exempt and Complying Development Certificates are issued by the Accredited Certifier, which in most cases is a Private Certifier appointed by the owner of the proposed development.  Council can also be nominated as the Accredited Certifier.

(more…)

2019-04-22T09:14:59+10:00April 12, 2019|

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage disbanded

It can be tough reading the news these days. Architectureau.com reports that the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage will be dismantled and its two principal functions absorbed by other departments, following the re-election of the NSW government in March.

Design Guide for Heritage

The environmental protection and management functions of the office will be moved to an enlarged “Planning and Industry” department, and the heritage functions of the office will be moved to the arts portfolio.

The Heritage Council of NSW’s  ‘Design Guide for Heritage’ shows how to use innovative, creative, and sensitive design approaches to heritage.

People of NSW are increasingly distressed about the impacts of rampant over-development.

2019-04-12T18:37:28+10:00April 10, 2019|

Appeal by Victoria Road developers: more hodge podge?

Atlen Construction has appealed to the Land Environment Court against Council’s refusal of their development proposals for 233-235 and 223-225 Victoria Road Gladesville.

The Trust has objected to the uncoordinated maze of developments that have been happening in Gladesville, and are proposed for three of the Victoria Rd shop sites. You can read our objections for  DA20171199 (the BWS site)  DA20171197  (the Gladesville Arcade site) and DA20171183  (the Commonwealth bank site).

An on-site conciliation conference has been set for 9:30 May 1st 2019. More details here: appeal re development of 233_235 Victoria Road.  Residents can make submissions up until 7 days beforehand.

2018-12-08T15:55:17+11:00December 4, 2018|

St Joseph’s College development plans

Hunters Hill Council has strongly opposed the plans from St Joseph’s College to build a new Gymnasium and massive Sports Complex.  The College is wholly within a Hunters Hill Council’s heritage conservation area.  The proposal fails to observe the basic heritage objectives set down in the Local Environment Plan and raises concerns due to its:

  • height, scale and lack of setback from the college boundary for the proposed Basketball Complex
  • removal of over 30 trees, several of local significance
  • lack of compatibility with existing college buildings and loss of open space
  • incompatibility with the character and amenity of the residential neighbourhood.

It also fails to present design excellence and there is no intention to contribute to a Voluntary Planning Agreement to benefit ratepayers.

The Minster for Planning has been requested to hold a public hearing.  For more details you can read the Hunters Hill Trust’s submission.

2018-11-16T19:59:47+11:00November 15, 2018|

Christmas Party 2018

Margaret Preston, Source Couleurs

This year marks 50 years since the Hunters Hill Trust was formed and we’re delighted that our Christmas Party will be bigger and better than ever.  To ensure we can accommodate as many members as possible, we’re holding it in the historic RSL Hall.  We’ll have entertainment, music (maybe even some dancing) and would love you to join us for this celebration.

When: Friday 7 December 2018 from 6.30pm

Where: RSL Hall, corner Ady and Alexandra Streets

Cost: $65 per person

RSVP: members@huntershilltrust.org.au telling us who will be coming

Payment:  BSB: 062000, Acct No: 16211909, Acct Name: Hunters Hill Trust.  Please identify yourself on your payment.

 

2018-11-10T08:15:19+11:00November 10, 2018|

Gladesville Shopping Village: Council refuses Planning Proposal

The Trust is glad to report that Hunters Hill Council has ‘refused to support the exhibited Planning Proposal in its current form’ and the proposed amendments were strengthened to emphasise important issues raised by the community including:

  • traffic volumes and management
  • public transport
  • parking
  • vehicular access
  • shareway
  • heritage conservation including the cottage and Heritage impact study
  • provision for community facilities and access, pedestrian links and more.

A lot will be riding on the proposed site-specific Development Control Plan and, if approved, how this links in with requirement for the review of the Local Environment Plan, new Local Strategic Planning Statements and further Master planning for the Gladesville precinct.

Council expressed appreciation for the volume and content of submissions that contributed to Council’s capacity to provide their report to the Department of Planning.

It all has a long way to go yet!

2018-09-12T07:32:05+10:00September 11, 2018|

We are a volunteer community organisation with over 50 years’ proud representation on behalf of the residents of Hunters Hill, advocating for our suburb’s unique heritage and environment.

If you would like to donate to our cause, your contributions will be greatly appreciated and very carefully used.

Donations can be via bank transfer to: CBA Bank; BSB 062000; Acct 16211909, or by cheque payable to Hunters Hill Trust sent to PO Box 85, Hunters Hill 2110.

Please email us at huntershilltrust@gmail.com so we can acknowledge your kind contribution.

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