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U:\STOWE\AFTCCJUL.DOC 6/08/2010 DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION ASSESSMENT Application No: D/2010/562 Application Site: 8-40 EUSTON ROAD , ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015 Proposal: Construction of new Bunnings warehouse (16,914sqm) incorporating retention and adaptive reuse of the existing building fronting Euston Road, two levels of trading area above one level of basement car parking, a total of 568 car spaces, customer cafe, childrens play area, and signage. Proposed hours of trading are 7am-9pm Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Background: The site was decommissioned in late 2009. On 17 December 2009, Development Application D/2009/882 was approved for Demolition of existing buildings on site with the exception of the Euston Road building, remediation of site, and landscaping of remediated site. The applicant has undertaken extensive pre-da meetings with Council. The applicant initially proposed complete demolition of all buildings on the site and also vehicular access via the northern adjoining Sydney Water corridor, which is identified by Council’s strategic planning controls for a future Green Link to contain a cycle and pedestrian link. As a result of the pre-da meetings, City staff negotiated the retention of the existing facade and front bay of the Euston Road building. City staff also negotiated an alternative vehicular access in collaboration with the RTA to ensure the Green Link is maintained for future pedestrian and cycle use. The submitted proposal has been amended at the request of Council to provide a more rationale at grade car parking arrangement, to remove the cantilevered overhang at the rear, and to provide substantial landscaping. SITE AND SURROUNDING DEVELOPMENT The site is irregular in shape and has an area of 27,100sqm. The site has frontage of approximately 151m along Euston Road, a depth of 223m along the north-eastern side boundary, a depth of 171m along the south-western side boundary, and 109m along the rear boundary. The site has a minor fall of RL11.24 at the northern end and RL6.5 at the southern end. The site contains a group of buildings dating from inter-war period. The plant was developed since 1926 and the glass production was ceased in 2009. There were a number of buildings constructed during 1940s to 1950s, including a new gas making plant, sand and washing plant, steel smoking stack etc. The early plant covered a

DA Assessment Report - D 2010 562 - Bunnings Euston Rd Alexandria

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Page 1: DA Assessment Report - D 2010 562 - Bunnings Euston Rd Alexandria

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DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION ASSESSMENT Application No: D/2010/562

Application Site: 8-40 EUSTON ROAD , ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015

Proposal: Construction of new Bunnings warehouse (16,914sqm) incorporating retention and adaptive reuse of the existing building fronting Euston Road, two levels of trading area above one level of basement car parking, a total of 568 car spaces, customer cafe, childrens play area, and signage. Proposed hours of trading are 7am-9pm Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Background: The site was decommissioned in late 2009.

On 17 December 2009, Development Application D/2009/882 was approved for Demolition of existing buildings on site with the exception of the Euston Road building, remediation of site, and landscaping of remediated site.

The applicant has undertaken extensive pre-da meetings with Council. The applicant initially proposed complete demolition of all buildings on the site and also vehicular access via the northern adjoining Sydney Water corridor, which is identified by Council’s strategic planning controls for a future Green Link to contain a cycle and pedestrian link.

As a result of the pre-da meetings, City staff negotiated the retention of the existing facade and front bay of the Euston Road building. City staff also negotiated an alternative vehicular access in collaboration with the RTA to ensure the Green Link is maintained for future pedestrian and cycle use.

The submitted proposal has been amended at the request of Council to provide a more rationale at grade car parking arrangement, to remove the cantilevered overhang at the rear, and to provide substantial landscaping.

SITE AND SURROUNDING DEVELOPMENT

The site is irregular in shape and has an area of 27,100sqm. The site has frontage of approximately 151m along Euston Road, a depth of 223m along the north-eastern side boundary, a depth of 171m along the south-western side boundary, and 109m along the rear boundary. The site has a minor fall of RL11.24 at the northern end and RL6.5 at the southern end.

The site contains a group of buildings dating from inter-war period. The plant was developed since 1926 and the glass production was ceased in 2009. There were a number of buildings constructed during 1940s to 1950s, including a new gas making plant, sand and washing plant, steel smoking stack etc. The early plant covered a

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larger area than the current site, including buildings at south bounded by Maddox Street. The prominent buildings on the site include the four-storey Furnace/production Building (C1926), and attached two storey warehouse (warehouse 4); the Euston Rd building (Gantry/ warehouse 1, c1926-1930), two-storey warehouse building on the south (warehouse 2), the circular stack (C1951), a two storey building (main office and cutting floor) on north adjacent to the cannel (C1960s), single storey case manufacturing building (box factory) at north-east of the site, single storey finished goods building at south-east. The furnace building was the core manufacturing area, which was been modified progressively. The gantry/warehouse building along Euston Road is an interwar functionalist style building. It features face brick walls with engaged piers and is punctured by regularly placed timber windows. The front façade contains three entries. The hipped roof hides behind the parapet. The frontage of the building is about 94m and contains 40 window bays. It is a highly prominent building within the streetscape. Adjacent to the main entry on Euston Road is a substation (No.117) built during inter-war period (1930s). The land was claimed by council in 1931. It is enclosed by face brickwork. The site is located adjacent a Sydney Water corridor to the north, and similar large industrial site to the south which contains warehouses. Smaller commercial premises are located on the opposite site of Euston Road to the north-west.

Photos of the site are below:

Figure 1 – Location Plan

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Figure 2 – Site as viewed facing south

Figure 3 – Site as viewed facing north

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Figure 4 – Existing entrance to the site between the two buildings

Figure 5 – Sydney Water corridor adjacent to the site

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PROPOSED WORKS

The proposal seeks consent for the construction of new Bunnings warehouse (16,914sqm) incorporating the following:

• Retention and adaptive reuse of the existing building fronting Euston Road • Two levels of trading area above one level of basement car parking, • 568 car spaces (reduced from 626), • Customer cafe, • Childrens play area, • Signage; • Extensive landscaping along the northern and eastern boundaries. • Hours of trading are 7am-9pm Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm on Saturday and

Sunday

Figure 6 – Site plan

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Vehicular access is provided into the site at the north-western corner, adjacent to a future Green Link which is to be accommodated within the current Sydney Water corridor on the northern side of the site. This requires the implementation of a signalised intersection and works to only allow left-in and left-out movements into Harley Street to the west of the site.

Pedestrian entry into the site is provided within the Euston Road frontage, adjacent to the existing Heritage Listed electricity substation.

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT

The application is integrated development under Section 91 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, as it includes a controlled activity pursuant to the Water Management Act.

In accordance with Clause 66 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 a copy of the application was provided to the NSW Department of Water and Energy.

On 5 May 2010, the NSW Department of Water and Energy provided their General Terms of Approval.

ECONOMIC/SOCIAL/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

The application has been assessed under Section 79C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, including consideration of the following matters:

(a) Environmental Planning Instruments and DCPs.

SEPP 55 – Remediation of Land and City of Sydney Contaminated Land DCP

The aim of SEPP 55 and the DCP is to ensure that a change of land use will not increase the risk to health, particularly in circumstances where a more sensitive land use is proposed.

On 17 December 2009, Development Application D/2009/882 was approved for Demolition of existing buildings on site with the exception of the Euston Road building, remediation of site, and landscaping of remediated site. A condition of consent will require the remediation works to be carried out and a Site Audit Statement provided prior to the release of the Construction Certificate.

South Sydney LEP 1998

The site is Zoned 4 – Industrial. The proposal is permissible with consent.

Clause 23B – Buildings Older Than Fifty Years

Clause 23B of the LEP states that the consent authority may decline to grant development consent for works to buildings older than 50 years until it has considered a statement of heritage impact.

The Euston Road building is an important element on Euston Rd and to the Alexandria industrial area. Its scale, repetitive fenestration, fine face brickwork, prominent location and its visual relationship with other industrial development in the area make it aesthetically significant. The building is also historically significant as

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the outstanding representative building of large inter-war industrial establishments in South Sydney. The long street frontage, two-storey-height scale and large internal open space provide opportunities of flexible reuse of the Euston Road building.

The proposal includes retention and adaptive reuse of the Euston Road building which is supported as a positive outcome as the retained building will convey the historical significance of the whole site and its retention will sustain its landmark quality within the streetscape.

Clause 34 – Retailing of Bulky Goods in the Industrial Zone The nature of the proposed use can be most appropriately described as timber and hardware supplies. However, this use is not defined in the South Sydney LEP 1998 and the closest description of the proposal in lieu of this description is bulky goods warehousing. Under Clause 34 bulky goods use is permissible provided it does not detrimentally impact upon the industrial development within the zone, or detract from the predominantly industrial nature of the zone. It is considered that the proposed Bunnings warehouse is consistent with the proposed use still retains an industrial character such that it does not detract from the predominantly industrial character of the location and it does not detrimentally impact upon industrial development within the zone. Clause 38 – Flood Liable Land Clause 38 of the LEP requires that Council investigate the flooding potential on the site. The applicant has provided flooding investigations on the site, which Council’s engineers have considered an support the application on the basis that the floors of the development are above the 1 in 100 year flood level and freeboard. Clause 40 – Development in the Vicinity of Alexandria Canal Clause 40 of the LEP requires that a person must not erect a building within 10m of the bank of the Alexandria Canal or any of its open secondary channels. Sheas Creek is located to the east of the subject site, however, the site is separated from Sheas Creek by a battleaxe handle of the adjoining site. The width of this battleaxe handle combined with the rear setback of the proposal is such that a setback of greater than 10m to Sheas Creek has been achieved. Furthermore, the proposal includes extensive landscaping of the setback area with 1170 native screen shrubs, 1520 native grasses and 36 trees. The proposal generally complies with all other the aims, objectives and controls in the LEP.

Strategy for a Sustainable City of South Sydney

The Development has been considered having regard to the goals and objectives within the Strategy for a Sustainable City of South Sydney.

The proposed development application satisfies the Strategy.

South Sydney DCP 1997

The proposal generally satisfies the relevant aims, objectives and controls in the DCP. Specific controls are detailed below:

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Height, Scale and Bulk

Part E, Control 2.2 permits a maximum FSR of 1.5:1. The application proposes an FSR of 0.62:1 and therefore complies.

Part E, Control 2.3 allows a maximum height of 15m. Due to the fall of the site from west to east, there is a point encroachment at the eastern part of the building by a maximum of approximately 2.5m. The proposed breach of the height limit occurs centrally within the site and the remainder of the buildings on the site are within the 15m height control.

The proposed breach of the height control is minor and supported given that it occurs centrally within the site such that it does not result in any discernible breach of the height limit when viewed from the public domain surrounding the site. In particular, whilst a 15m height limit is permissible, due to the retention and adaptive reuse of the existing Euston Road building, the development only presents a 7m street wall height to Euston Road.

Setbacks

Part F, Control 3.2 requires a minimum 6m setback along major roads. The proposal retains and adaptively re-uses the existing Euston Road building which has a nil street setback. Likewise, the heritage listed electricity substation is retained which also has a nil street setback. The remaining elements of street frontage include a 6m setback area which is generously landscaped in accordance with the DCP requirements.

The Public Domain section of the DCP identifies the northern adjoining Sydney Water corridor for a future Green Link to contain and pedestrian and cycle path within a landscaped setting. Whilst the DCP does not provide any prescriptive controls in relation to a setback from the future Green Link, the proposal has been designed specifically to respond to the future Green Link on the northern adjoining Sydney Water corridor by providing a substantial setback which provides spatial relief to the future Green Link, and substantial landscaping along the common boundary.

Landscaping

Part F, Control 3.1 provides that front and side setbacks are landscaped to soften and screen industrial buildings. In addition, buildings should generally not occupy more than 60% of the site area to provide a landscaped setting and outdoor space for staff, and a minimum of 80%of off-street parking should not be visible from the street.

The proposal achieves the intent of having car parking screened from the street as the proposal has provided the majority of the car parking within a basement level below the building. The remainder of the at grade car parking is screen by dense landscaping along the remainder of the street not occupied by existing buildings, and also along the northern boundary.

As discussed above, the building is located along the southern portion of the site, such that there is a large expanse of the site which is not occupied by building along the northern and eastern parts of the site. These areas are proposed to be comprehensively landscaped to achieve the appearance of an industrial warehouse within a generously landscaped setting. Whilst the proposal does not provide passive recreation areas specifically for factory workers as required for industrial

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development, the proposal is not purely industrial in nature and the provision of such an area is not necessary in this instance.

This landscaped appearance is particularly important for the subject site as the northern/side elevation is highly visible from Euston Road as the adjacent Sydney Water corridor does not contain any buildings to screen the subject site. Whilst the submitted (and amended) landscape plan illustrates a generous amount of landscaping, it only proposes 100litre sizes for the trees. Given the importance of achieving a comprehensively landscaped setting from the inception of the development, a condition of consent is recommended to require 400litre capacity trees.

South Sydney DCP 11: Transport Guidelines for Development

Access

The pre-DA scheme sought to acquire the northern adjoining Sydney Water corridor to be used to provide vehicular access into the site. However, this corridor is identified in Council’s controls for a future ‘Green Link’. In particular, Map 4: Green Square Open Space in the Green Square DCP identifies this corridor, whilst several other Council policies refer to use of this corridor as part of the City’s ‘Green Network’ which is intended to encourage walking and cycling as the preferred mode of transport.

Figure 7 – Map 4: Green Square Open Space in the Green Square DCP

During the pre-da process, City staff negotiated an alternative vehicular access to ensure the Green Link is maintained for future pedestrian and cycle use. The new

SITE

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access way is along the northern boundary of the site and requires a new signalised intersection as follows:

The new signalised intersection requires a restriction of movement into and out of Harley Street with a ‘left-in’ and ‘left-out’ movement only. This requirement is to ensure that rat-running does not occur via Harley Street with customers attempting to access the site from the west. The RTA has concurred with the new intersection arrangement, which also has the capacity to become a dual phase intersection in the future should the Green Link ever be earmarked for public transport vehicular traffic.

Currently STA Bus Route 355 when travelling south along McEvoy/Euston turns right into Harley Street. The restrictions discussed above will prevent this movement. However, discussions with STA have confirmed that the bus route only recently began to use Harley Street for this manoeuvre instead of Maddox Street, which has been undergoing long terms works, preventing the bus route from using this street despite it being STA’s preference. The long terms works have now been completed which means that Bus Route 355 can once again begin to use Maddox Street. Therefore, the proposed restriction on the movement in and out of Harley Street does not present any issue for STA.

SITE

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Carparking

The objectives of DCP No. 11 include the need to encourage a reduction in the level of vehicular travel by reducing parking requirements whilst ensuring that an appropriate level of parking is provided on-site to minimise the unreasonable overflow of parking onto surrounding streets.

The car parking rate under DCP No. 11 for bulky goods retailing is to be survey based. The applicant has undertaken surveys of 5 other Bunnings warehouse stores where car parking provision ranges from 1 space per 32sqm -37sqm. The proposed 568 (reduced from 626) car spaces for the proposed trade area of 20,101sqm (GFA of 16, 914sqm plus outdoor nursery of 3187sqm) equates to 1 space per 35sqm. This rate of car parking is consistent with the other Bunnings stores which have been surveyed as required by DCP No. 11 and therefore the car parking provision of 568 spaces is acceptable.

Traffic

The previous use of the site generated approximately 320 vehicle trips per hour (VTPH) in peak periods. Based on survey of other existing Bunnings stores, it has been determined that the subject proposal is likely to generate peak traffic rates of approximately 78VTPH in the weekday morning, 286VTPH in the weekday afternoon, and 572VTPH at midday on the weekend.

The projected distribution of the traffic is 50% in a northbound direction along Euston Road and 50% in a southbound direction.

The traffic impact assessment has analysed the performance of the new signalised intersection to service the site (including a 30% increase to the existing traffic volumes along Euston Road to account for future growth) and found that the new intersection will operate with an ‘A’ level of service with the exception of a ‘B’ level of service at the weekday PM peak (‘A’ being the best service and ‘E’ the worst). The operation of the new intersection therefore will operate with a good level of service. It is also observed that an industrial development seeking to fully develop the site to maximum permissible FSR would result in significantly increased traffic volumes in comparison to the proposed Bunnings warehouse.

New intersection into the site (+30% adjustment in anticipation

of future traffic volumes) Degree of Saturation

Intersection Delay

Level of Service

Weekday AM 0.796 13.9 A

Weekday PM 0.763 14.6 B

Weekend MD 0.64 14.1 A

Therefore, the analysis has adequately demonstrated that the proposed is unlikely to result in any unacceptable traffic impacts both in terms of intersection performance, traffic volumes along Euston Road and rat-running via Harley Street.

Notwithstanding this, whilst considered unlikely, there is some possibility that some rat-running may occur throughout the streets and lanes of the local area traffic network defined by Mitchell Road, Fountain Street, McEvoy Street/Euston Road and Sydney Park Road. The likelihood of this occurring cannot be determined until the

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proposed Bunnings warehouse is operational. Therefore, a condition of consent is recommended to require traffic surveys of this network prior to Construction Certificate, and once again 3-6 months after any Occupation Certificate is released. If there are local traffic related issues associated with flow increases, the Developer is to design and implement Local Area Traffic Management treatments to address the traffic issues generated by the additional traffic.

Pedestrian Access and Circulation The originally proposed car park layout failed to adequately provide pedestrian paths of travel throughout the car park and also included several areas of unacceptable conflict between vehicles and pedestrians. The at-grade car parking layout has been successfully amended to rationalise the layout, remove areas of conflict with service vehicles and pedestrians, and also achieving a dedicated pedestrian network through the car park. City of Sydney Heritage DCP 2006

The Heritage issues with the site have been addressed in this report under the LEP considerations.

City of Sydney Signage and Advertising Structures DCP 2005

The proposed signs have been considered having regard to the objectives of the City of Sydney Signage and Advertising Structures DCP 2005. The proposal does not seek consent for any free standing signs which are typical within industrial areas, rather all proposed signs are to be affixed to the facades of the building. The proposal was amended to reduce the size of the signs on the side facades of the building. The amended proposed signs comprise the following:

• 3m x 10m sign on the Euston Road facade

• 5m x 16m sign on both side facades and the rear facade, as well as on the western facade of the new warehouse behind the nursery.

The only signs which are readily visible from the public domain are the sign on the primary Euston Road facade, and also the sign on the northern facade which presents to the future Green Link (this sign is located at the eastern end of the building such that it is located at a significant distance from Euston Road). The size and of the signs is considered appropriate having regard to the size of the buildings upon which they are located. The signs are successfully integrated into the architecture of the building and present as a resolved solution for signage for the development. Accordingly, the proposed signs satisfy the objectives of the DCP.

(b) Other Impacts of the Development

The proposed development is capable of complying with the BCA.

It is considered that the proposal will have no significant detrimental effect relating to environmental, social or economic impacts on the locality, subject to appropriate conditions being imposed.

(c) Suitability of the site for the Development

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The proposal is of a nature in keeping with the overall function of the site. The premises are in a commercial/residential surrounding and amongst similar uses to that proposed.

Public Interest

It is considered that the proposal will have no detrimental effect on the public interest, subject to appropriate conditions being proposed.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS/S94 CONTRIBUTION

Section 94 Contributions

The existing development on the site generates a credit of approximately 504 employees. The applicant has confirmed in writing that the proposed Bunnings warehouse will employ 147 full time team members. Therefore, as the proposal will have a reduced workforce in comparison to the workforce associated with the previous occupation of the site, there are no Section 94 Contribution payable for the proposed development.

CONSULTATION

Internal Referrals

The conditions of other sections of Council have been included in the proposed conditions.

External Referrals

Sydney Regional Development Advisory Committee (SRDAC)

A referral to the Sydney Regional Development Advisory Committee (SRDAC) was undertaken. The SRDAC granted concurrence to the proposal subject to the imposition of a number of conditions of consent.

Notification, Advertising and Delegation (Submission(s) received)

In accordance with Council policy, the application was notified and advertised for a period of 28 days. As a result of this notification there were 10 submission(s) received.

(a) Concern is raised regarding the traffic and parking impacts associated with the proposal.

Response - The traffic and parking impacts of the proposal have been considered and found to be acceptable. The proposal provides a significant number of car parking spaces in accordance with the requirements of DCP No 11, such that it is unlikely to be any overflow parking within the surrounding street network. Furthermore, the proposal is unlikely to result in any significant detrimental impact upon the performance of the new intersection. It is noted that Euston Road is earmarked by the RTA for road widening and a potential extension to the M5 motorway, such that it’s role (and therefore the traffic it will carry) is accommodate an increased flow of traffic in the years to come. The contribution of the traffic from the proposed use is considered minor with respect to the current and forecast volumes of traffic along Euston Road.

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Notwithstanding that it is an unreasonable expectation that Euston Road as an arterial road will not accommodate increased traffic, it is reasonable and appropriate to protect the local street network near the site from rat-runs from customers attempting to access the Bunnings Warehouse. For this reason, as previously discussed, a condition of consent shall be imposed requiring post construction monitoring of the local street network to determine if there has been any change in traffic flows in the local streets and to undertake works if necessary to mitigate these flows.

(b) The weekend trading hours will detrimentally impact on nearby residents due to increased traffic impacts.

Response – The traffic modelling discussed in this report is for peak periods and considered to be satisfactory. The extent of trading hours does not correspond with peak periods which occur within the middle of the day on the weekend.

(c) Over the past 10 years Euston Road has significantly changed from predominately industrial estates to housing a large number of residents and this must be considered. It is not appropriate to have such a large and busy commercial premises built so close to my residential premises as it will greatly impact the quality of life of these residents. The privacy and quiet enjoyment of all persons residing in my apartment complex will be grossly compromised by this development.

Response – The sites on the eastern side of Euston Road from the subject site and south to the boundary of the City of Sydney are all zoned Industrial and are capable of accommodating heavy industrial uses. Council’s strategic vision for these sites is for them to be retained and preserved for industrial use. It is an unreasonable expectation from sites adjacent to an industrial zone that uses such as that which is proposed should not locate within the industrial zone and that the impacts associated with industrial uses will not occur. Nonetheless, the proposed use is more benign in nature that what is typically associated with a heavy industrial use, such that any impacts associated with the proposal are reduced.

(d) Concern is raised regarding the economic impact of the proposal upon other retail premises which serve the same market as Bunnings.

Response – The provisions of S79C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 cannot be used as a protection of commercial operations from competition from other commercial operators. Town Planning controls relate the permissible land uses. The proposed use is permissible in the zone and therefore the proposal cannot be refused on the grounds of increased competition.

(e) Concern is raised regarding the impact of 24 hour truck deliveries upon the residents who live on the western side of Euston Road, to the south of the site.

Response – The proposal only seeks consent for deliveries to occur between 7am and 10pm on weekdays only, not 24 hours a day. There are no residential dwellings directly opposite the site, and the proposed hours of delivery are considered acceptable.

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(f) Concern is raised regarding noise and pollution resulting from the increased traffic.

Response – The increased traffic along Euston Road associated with the proposal is acceptable having regard to the function of Euston Road as a major arterial road. As with any major arterial road, there is unavoidable noise and pollution associated with the high volume of traffic. Any recently constructed residential developments on Euston Road would have been designed with increased attenuation measures to respond to the noise associated with a major arterial road.

(g) There is already a large & well-established Bunnings store approximately two kilometres away on the corner of Bourke and Gardeners Rd, Alexandria. This Bunnings is in a highly commercial / industrial area and has minimal affect on any residential complexes whatsoever.

Response – The existence or otherwise of another Bunnings is not a matter of consideration under the provisions of S79C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 in determining the subject application.

(h) The proposal appears to be a counter-intuitive use of land to improve the value of the surrounding area and should be used for residential development or for developments that complement residential development.

Response – The subject site is currently zoned Industrial under the South Sydney LEP 1998 and the proposed use is permissible in the zone. Council and the State Government have strategic vision for these sites is to be preserved for industrial use as the only remaining industrial land in close proximity to the Sydney CBD.

(i) Where will all the construction workers park during the construction works.

Response – This is a valid concern. A condition of consent will be imposed requiring the Construction Traffic Management Plan to include provisions for parking on the site for construction workers during construction.

(j) Will there be an assurance from Bunnings to keep the Streets free of trolleys and empty cartons and maintain the cleaniness of the area.

Response – Bunnings is not considered to be a use which generates rubbish in the surrounding area such as a fast-food restaurant and accordingly it is not considered necessary to impose a condition in relation to this issue. Whilst it is also considered highly unlikely that the Bunnings trolleys will be removed from the site due to their awkward size, a condition will be imposed to require Bunnings to ensure that their trolleys are not removed from the site.

(k) A number of suggestions for alternative vehicular access into the site and around the local street network are made on the basis that the proposed arrangements will result in excessive impacts upon Euston Road.

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Response – The traffic modelling undertaken in association with the proposal has determined that the proposed new intersection will have the highest and second highest level of service when measured against the relevant standards. Therefore, there are no ground for implementing alternative means of vehicular access into the site.

(l) Request for broader notification of the proposal.

Response – The proposal was correctly notified and advertised in accordance with the City’s Notification of Planning and Development Applications Development Control Plan. The proposal is in the highest category for notification and there is no need or requirement for any further notification of the proposal.

(m) The bulk and scale of the building is out of context for the wider area, despite the attempt to screen the main part of the building by the retention of the former factory along Euston Road.

Response – The proposal is of a considerably smaller bulk and scale that what is permitted for the site under the provisions of the South Sydney LEP and DCP.

(n) The location of the ground level parking is not sufficiently screened from Euston Road and will provide with an ugly vista onto a car park.

Response – 84% of the car parking spaces associated with the proposal are located within the basement level, in excess of the South Sydney DCP requirement for 80% to be screened. Notwithstanding this, the proposal incorporates substantial landscaping along the street frontage and the northern boundary which will achieve an attractive presentation of the site to the street.

In accordance with the register of delegations, the Area Planning Manager can determine applications. The matters raised in the submissions were taken into consideration in accordance with Section 79C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Having regard to all of the above matters, it is considered that the proposal is acceptable and it is recommended for approval, subject to conditions as shown in the attached decision notice.

The application is Approved under delegated authority of Council.

The undersigned declare, to the best of their knowledge that they have no interest, pecuniary or otherwise, in this development application or persons associated with it and have provided an impartial assessment.

Report Prepared by: Aaron Sutherland Senior Planner

Application determined by: Jeremy Swan Area Planning Manager