SSEC's Submission on Sutherland Shire Council's
Draft LEP

• Landscape. Reduction in landscape requirements for 2(e2) zone on 850sqm from 55% in FSPA to 45% and for 2(a1) zone from 50% in FSPA to 45%. We find it difficult to reconcile a reduction in landscaping area with costly measures for reducing stormwater flow in other areas.

• Rezoning South Caringbah. The 2(a2) FSPA in South Caringbah should be zoned 2(e2) in recognition of its significant tree cover. There are desirable places in the Shire worth protecting, other than on the waterfront. Rezoning this sensitive area to 2(a1) would be a backward step in an LEP that is being promoted as being better for the environment.

• Villas. We are opposed to basement carparking under villas. Excavation restricts underground waterflow and is not good for the environment. Furthermore, it is not necessary, as developments work quite well with ground level parking.

• The Centre opposes more rezonings in Sutherland , including Precinct 8 , 3 storeys in local housing zone at Leonay St, six sites of 12 storeys

• Development over railway stations . This inevitably leads to demand (from developers) for adjacent unit development to provide more customers. Small businesses are the losers.

• To avoid the large intrusive form of development we support including a maximum number of 7 villas in the LEP

• There should be a separation distance of 100 metres and 10% maximum of medium density in a given area must be retained.

• Minimum width of lot for villas should be kept at 25m (A frontage of 18m would allow gun- barrel developments with driveway adjacent to neighbours, which is why it was changed to 25m in the first place.)

• The LEP should maintain side set back for villas at 1500mm. (The set back was obviously changed in the current draft LEP to accommodate smaller frontages.)

• Basement carparking in villas should be prohibited. (It is bad for environment even if good for developers)

• Building heights in the LEP should remain as per the current adopted LEP - at three storeys (with variations of heights delegated to DCPs).

• Kirrawee - the area surrounding Fauna Place. This is zoned multi dwelling A, which nominally does not permit residential flats but has 3 and 4 storeys. This sets a dangerous precedent and must be corrected.

• Sutherland - 2 blocks fronting the Grand Parade and Jannali Ave and Leonay St zoned local housing with 3 storey heights. This must surely be a mistake. We oppose 3 storeys in a local housing zone.

• Excavation . We are dismayed at the lack of supervision of development on the waterfront. There are currently significant excavations in Gunamatta Bay and Bundeena which appear to proceed unhindered. There are other examples of excavations occurring which have only been acted upon by Council after significant complaints by the community. Whatever the reason for tardy action on halting unlawful excavations, the damage is done. Has Council sufficient staff or procedures to enforce its rules?

• Water pollution . Silt and rubbish are still being deposited in the waterways via stormwater drains. Urgent attention is needed for silt and rubbish traps on all major stormwater outlets, with the necessary maintenance.

• Waste. Too much emphasis is placed on recycling household waste as opposed to prevention at the source. Council's education strategy should be leading the way to reduce the amount of waste, not just shuffle it around.

• Sharks Proposal. The DLEP canvasses environmental issues such as acid sulphate soils, wetlands, protection of foreshores, contaminated land, zoning of sensitive areas as environmental high risk, and many more. Council voted unanimously to include all of these in the Draft Plan now on exhibition. How can Council seriously consider an application for rezoning and ultimately a development that will mock all of the dedicated work that has gone into the preparation of this DLEP. If the Shark's application is approved by Council, it will spell the end of the Peoples Plan. The Plan would lose credibility and set an uncontrollable precedent for other undesirable developments in the Shire.

Chair

Cc: Cr P Blight, Mayor; Cr Dawn Emerson; Cr G Rankin; Cr D Redmond, Cr K Schreiber; Cr R Spencer; Cr J Gormley; Cr L Rodden; Cr T Sonda; Cr M Daniel; Cr S Docherty; Cr G Hurley; Cr K McDonell; Cr S Simpson, Cr L Kelly