TEST OF CHARACTER

I AM wishing to express my dissatisfaction at the development application (DA) for 225 O’Shea Esplanade Machans Beach.

The building of four threebedroom townhouses where there is currently one house of three bedrooms is completely out of character for the suburb, and reduces the character and liveability of Machans Beach for all those residents who moved to the suburb because of its character.

While the DA may technically still be classified as “low density” due to the subdividing of the land, the fact there could be 20 people, with 10 car parks, living on a block where there is currently one house and two car parks, does not pass the pub test for low density.

People have chosen to live at Machans Beach because of the special character of the suburb ... (and) the genuine low-density nature of the suburb is definitely a major part of that reason.

I would also like to highlight that Arnold St, the proposed access to the 10 car parks, is a small narrow street, with poor lines of sight for cars and pedestrians entering and exiting the street.

The addition of 10 extra vehicles using Arnold st, where currently there are only three, represents a dangerous increase in cars pulling in and out of

driveways. This problem will only get worse with the soon-to-be completed bike path down Arnold St likely adding significant extra foot and bike traffic.

As a long-term resident of Machans, with plans to remain so for many decades to come, I sincerely hope the council considers steps to ensure the character of the Machans Beach

remains intact.

Thomas Herridge , Machans Beach