With the deadline for residents to have their say closing last Monday, the proposal at 166-68 Tower Street, Panania, includes construction of a six-storey, shop-top housing development containing 33 apartments, a 64-place child care centre on the ground floor and basement parking.
Concerned resident Alice Henrique says the building will tower over surrounding houses with verandas facing directly into homes and shading all of the surroundings.
She also believes a childcare centre is not an appropriate business for a mixed use ‘shop-top’ zone.
“I also have fears there are other apartment tower plans coming to the area,” she said.
“There has been no thought to create turning lanes to keep the heavy traffic flowing during busy school pickups and drops off in what is already a busy pedestrian zone.”
Other problems include the impact the development and so many more residents would have on the power grid and water pressure, which Alice says is already “woeful”.
“Can you imagine the nightmare it is going to be once they build their towers,” she said.
“There could be hundreds more units in this small space.
“They say there will be basement parking but because they don’t expect people to have cars as they are next to the station, they aren’t creating enough spaces.
“Reality check – there are at least two to three cars on average per family whether you live in a unit or not.”
A council spokesperson said: “The application is still in its early stages and must go before a Local Planning Panel before any approvals are granted.”
“Residents who have made submissions will be invited to address the Panel.”
High-rise development to make village unliveable
DOZENS of Panania residents are concerned that proposed high-rise developments will make their village unliveable, with parking difficult and traffic congestion already a nightmare.
