11-17 Columbia Lane, Homebush

A Planning Proposal is on exhibition until 12 October 2017 for 11-17 Columbia Lane, Homebush seeking an amendment to the Strathfield Local Environmental Plan (SLEP) 2012 to:

• Rezone the site from R4 High Density Residential to B4 Mixed Use;
• Increase the maximum height of buildings from 32m to 80m; and 
• Increase the maximum floor space ratio from 2.7:1 to 5:1. 

• Inadequate justification for the excessive proposed heights and densities which do not correspond with adjacent buildings.
• Compliance with the building separation, solar access and ventilation requirements of the Apartment Design Guide are questionable.
• Poor amenity of the units, including privacy, solar access and noise from the adjacent rail line.
• Compromised communal open space which is overshadowed and bisected, preventing the provision of a single consolidated quality and useable open space adjacent to the apartments.
• The 9 storey podium that wraps around the corner of Nipper Street and Gramophone Lane does not provide a pedestrian friendly environment at the street level.
• Inadequate traffic assessment which fails to consider the cumulative potential traffic from surrounding sites if they were developed and no assessment of weekend traffic undertaken which exceeds weekday traffic. 
• Other feasible options with a more desirable outcome have not been adequately considered.

Even natural things like leaves, garden clippings and soil can harm our waterways. In bushland or in our gardens, leaves are scattered and decay where they fall. But when they are washed into the stormwater system they become concentrated. When they decay in water, they use up oxygen, taking it out of the water, which can kill plants, fish and other animals that live in our waterways. Soil is a problem too. It makes waterways cloudy and can silt them up. Silt can suffocate fish by clogging their gills.

You can help! Reduce water pollution and clean up costs by: 

• Sweeping your gutters and driveways rather than hosing them down.
• Putting leaves in the compost or on the garden as mulch.
• Raking up grass clippings then mulch or compost them.
• Covering piles of soil, sand or mulch to stop them washing into drains.
• Build barriers around your garden beds to contain the soil (and any fertilisers you are using).
• Planting grass where soil is exposed.

Find out more about how you can help protect our waterways here.

Wednesday 18 October is National Ride2Work Day - Australia’s largest celebration of commuter riding! Get on your bike and ride to work for your health, our environment, your finances and happiness!

Adora Cubelo – Senior Finance Officer

I am a Senior Finance Officer at Strathfield Council, however I began working with Council at Hudson Park Golf Course as an admin assistant. Working at the golf course was a great experience and introduced me to the many facets of Local Government work. My background and passion is in finance, so when a role in the team opened up, I was eager to apply. I am now responsible for bank reconciliation, investments and updating monthly finance reports for the Council. I work with all departments, including events, infrastructure, planning and more, ensuring no two days are the same!

Although they are both completely different roles, I have enjoyed both my positions and the many varied opportunities working in local government offers.

Children's Week celebrates the right of children everywhere to enjoy childhood, and Strathfield Council is joining in with a range of activities just for kids! There’s plenty to choose from including chalk drawing competitions, jumping castles and skateboarding lessons and more. All activities are free and will be held in various parks across Strathfield LGA.

When: Saturday 21 October – Saturday 28 October

See the website for more info.

Albert Road – Strathfield

Here’s a bit of trivia to keep in mind on your next commute along Albert Road - it is one of the longest roads in Strathfield and in the late nineteenth century, Albert Road was considered one of Sydney’s most prestigious streets featuring homes of prominent Sydney figures. While some of these properties have been demolished, a large number are still in existence such as Mount Royal (Australian Catholic University), Glenfarne, Osdora, Tuxedo and Corfu.

Images and words courtesy of Cathy Jones. 

DA2017/124/04: 32-36 Underwood Road, Homebush

DA2017/142: 29 Pomeroy Street, Homebush

Please see the website for all other DAs.