O’Connell Street, Parramatta: Tallest building causes worry for airports
A skyscraper planned for western Sydney - which would be the tallest in the region - would be so high two airports are worried it could impede flight activity.
Parramatta
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Plans for Parramatta’s tallest tower at 2 O’Connell St might just be too lofty, with aviation authorities concerned it could interfere with flights in the region.
If approved, the 69-storey tower near Aird St, currently the site of St John’s Terrace, will eclipse the Meriton’s twin towers planned for 180 George St by three storeys.
The public exhibition period, which sought community feedback into the plans, has now closed and tomorrow, the Parramatta Local Planning Panel will view the project.
The panel will recommend Parramatta Council forward the proposal to the Planning Department to prepare for finalisation.
Along with the residential tower, plans include a neighbouring 11-storey mixed use development with three levels commercial space.
However, during initial consultation, the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development (DIRD) and Sydney Metro Airports raised concerns with the skyscraper.
Sydney Metro Airports advised that the building and crane works would interfere with Bankstown Airport’s airspace and possibly that of Sydney Airport.
The department said the project could require approval under the Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations 1996, and assessment by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Airservices Australia before construction began.
Planning papers stated Bankstown Airport would be required to review “a full aeronautical assessment” before DIRD made its final assessment.
But this won’t happen until the project reaches its development application stage.
The public feedback generated 12 submissions including one from neighbouring Westfield about traffic congestion around loading docks, and the remaining from residents over the risk of structural damage to adjoining buildings during construction.
The council officer’s report said the developer would be required to prepare dilapidation reports of public and private infrastructure before and after construction.
“Further, the State Government has also recently appointed a NSW Building Commissioner in response to concerns regarding construction standards,’’ the report said.
“Draft legislation is also currently being considered which aims to improve industry standards and practices and make designers and builders more accountable.”
Parramatta Planning Panel will discuss the issue on Tuesday.