Hornsby Council receives 200-unit development application for Waitara

A controversial multimillion-dollar development application for hundreds of units has finally been submitted to a Sydney council — 10 months after several homes in the street were demolished for the project.

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A controversial multimillion-dollar development application for hundreds of units has finally been submitted to Hornsby Council — 10 months after several homes in the street were demolished for the project.

Demolished houses at Park Ave at Waitara. Houses are being demolished in Waitara despite the developer withdrawing plans for a high-rise tower. Picture: Troy Snook

Developers Statewide Planning submitted an application for 200 units across two, six-storey buildings at 22 to 32 Park Ave, Waitara last month.

The proposal, which has been on hold since homes were demolished in May 2018, was met with controversy after it was revealed a single homeowner stood defiant against the proposal — refusing to allow the acquisition of the home.

Demolished houses surround 26 Park Ave at Waitara in May 2018 before it was destroyed. Picture: Troy Snook

However, a planning report for the development application revealed Statewide Planning had been successful in purchasing the property.

“The development proposes the consolidation of 9 allotments to create the development lot and the construction of two, six-storey residential flat buildings comprising a total of 200 apartments (and) basement carparking for 291 vehicles,” consulting planning director Greg Boston said in the report.

An artist impression of the Park Ave, Waitara, development application.

The application sees a proposal for 100 units in each building, with 40, one- 152, two- and eight, three-bedroom units. A further 20 will be adaptable.

The consultant argued the density proposed is “entirely appropriate given the zoning of the land, the sites immediate proximity Hornsby Town Centre and Waitara Train Station”.

An artist impression of the Park Ave, Waitara, development application.

Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said Waitara is already filled with a number of high-rise buildings.

“My concern is to ensure appropriate development, we aren’t opposed to development and are not focusing on height in this areas — but ensuring reasonable areas are reserved for open space and tree space,” he said.

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“We will seek to ensure that through environmental planning and setbacks these areas of open space are included in applications.

“We don’t make decisions on individual development applications, but we can ensure councils views are represented with the approvers, whether it is IHAP or Joint Regional Planning Panel representatives.”

Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said he was determined to. Picture: Julian Andrews

Cr Ruddock said he wants “more good quality development and more effective planning arrangements”.

A Statewide Planning representative was contacted for comment.

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