An eight-storey development proposal in Gordon threatens the future of Eryldene and surrounding heritage neighbourhood.
By Charlotte Anlezark, National Trust Senior Conservation Officer
Eryldene Historic House and Garden, designed by pre-eminent Australian architect William Hardy Wilson for scholar, connoisseur, and horticulturalist Eben Gowrie Waterhouse, is described as “an Australian treasure hidden in a leafy Sydney Street”. The place is renowned for its significant gardens and internationally famous camelias and is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
Three multi-storey apartment towers, with two levels of basement parking, have been proposed just two doors away from the historic site. Situated partially inside the Ku-ring-gai Gordon Park Estate, Mcintosh and Ansell Conservation Area and entirely within the National Trust’s own Gordon Conservation Area, the development threatens to radically change the leafy landscapes and heritage character of this residential area.
The National Trust is concerned by the:
- Bulk and scale of the project in a predominantly single to double storey neighbourhood
- Extensive view loss and privacy concerns for the surrounding block
- Overshadowing, especially to Eryldene Gardens
- Deep soil disturbance and reduction in ecological and landscape heritage
- Changes to the streetscape and overall heritage character of Gordon
We note that the proposal does not align with the Ku-ring-gai Council’s Transport Oriented Development zoning proposal, existing planning controls, nor desired future character for the neighbourhood.
The National Trust has submitted an objection to this development proposal. You can read our response here.
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This is an appalling development so close to Eryldene. We lived in Killara and this garden was the most beautiful. The development will impinge on houses in neighbouring streets which are heritage listed, changing the nature of this wonderful leafy suburb. Shame on NSW Government.
I couldn’t agree more! It’s outrageous that such developments are allowed to destroy the heritage and unique atmosphere of this beautiful suburb.
Tĥe proposed development so close to Eryldene should not be allowed.
I grew up in Nelson Street, Gordon and the area is full of wonderful heritage houses and some beautiful gardens. I am appalled that this whole area is under threat of high rise buildings and feel a lot of these government initiatives are going to ruin a whole way of life and there will be no “green” areas left in Sydney for the youth of today and tomorrow to enjoy. The streets will be gridlocked and there will be no personality left in any areas at all.
Are there steps afoot to organise a petition?
This is sickening and disgusting behavior by our government. Aust is a big country with plenty of land to build on. Why build on built land ?I am so ashamed of the government that they have no concern for our heritage to be carried on after 200 plus years in the making!
What can we do to add weight to your campaign? This development should be knocked on the head and resubmitted as a much smaller proposal much more in consonance with the surrounding lovely street. Heritage is unique, cubic box housing is everywhere and ugly in the extreme.
A development of this excessive magnitude, so close to an outstanding heritage site, speaks volumes about the greed and insensitivity of the developer.
Surely there must be an alternative site for modern housing and redevelopment in the area, outside this beautiful heritage precinct?
It would show great foresight of council, government and developers to rethink location…thus protecting an area of historical value to present and future generations; enabling them to enjoy the beauty and history of those who have gone before, who have toiled and endured the hardships as early settlers of the district.
It behoves us all to acknowledge, protect and conserve the historical areas of this country as our national duty.
Cheers,
Dee
National Trust Committee ACT
Too often developers are destroying beauty and history to build inappropriate buildings that destroy neughbourhood character and sometimes squash local businesses.
My parents lived in Killara on the border of Gordon for 40 years in a street whose character has been destroyed by units. Units so close to Eryldene will do the same.
This is sickening and disgusting behavior by our government. Aust is a big country with plenty of land to build on. Why build on built land ?I am so ashamed of the government that they have no concern for our heritage to be carried on after 200 plus years in the making!