We are calling on the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to reconsider the State Significant Development (SSD) status of the proposed redevelopment at 14 Koorala Street, Manly Vale, and return the proposal to the appropriate local planning and development assessment process.

The proposal is for approximately 340 apartments, including proposed affordable housing, on the existing Coles site at 14 Koorala Street.

Our concern is whether a development of this scale and potential local impact should be assessed through a State-led SSD pathway rather than through the established local planning framework.

Manly Vale is an established suburban community with existing roads, public transport, schools, pedestrian infrastructure, open space and community services. Residents believe these local circumstances deserve detailed consideration, with Northern Beaches Council and the community having a meaningful role in the assessment.

What we are asking for
1. Reconsider the SSD status
We ask that the proposal be returned to the appropriate local planning and development assessment pathway.

2. Keep local planning considerations
Northern Beaches Council and the local community understand the existing conditions and constraints of Manly Vale.

A development of approximately 340 apartments should be assessed in the context of the area's existing infrastructure, transport network, services and surrounding development.

3. Properly assess the cumulative impacts
We ask for transparent, evidence-based assessment of the potential impacts of the proposal, including:

- traffic generation and road capacity
- public transport capacity
- pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
- parking and vehicle movements
- local schools and education infrastructure
- open space and community facilities
- stormwater and drainage
environmental considerations
building height, bulk and visual impact
- neighbourhood character
cumulative impacts from other major developments in the area.

4. Give the community meaningful participation
Consultation should be meaningful and occur early enough for community concerns to be properly considered.

5. Balance housing delivery with local area capacity

Consideration of whether the scale, density and form of a particular development are suitable for its location and supported by the necessary infrastructure.

Our request is for the right planning process for this particular site. The proposed redevelopment at 14 Koorala Street represents a substantial change for this established part of Manly Vale. Approximately 340 apartments would introduce a significant increase in residential density to the site.

The question for the community is can the surrounding infrastructure, roads, transport, schools, services, open space and neighbourhood support a development of this scale?

We believe the community deserves a planning process that properly considers the local context.

The NSW Government has established SSD as a State-led planning pathway for developments considered to have State significance. The use of that pathway for a major residential proposal has significant implications for how the proposal is assessed and determined.

We recognise that Sydney needs additional housing and that well-located development can contribute to housing supply.

This petition is about planning process, scale, infrastructure and local accountability.

Supporting housing does not mean that every proposed development should automatically be assessed through the State Significant Development pathway.

Our request to the NSW Planning Minister
We respectfully ask the Hon. Paul Scully MP, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, to reconsider the State Significant Development status of 14 Koorala Street, Manly Vale, and return the proposal to the appropriate local planning pathway.

Please sign
If you believe that major developments should be assessed through an appropriate, transparent and evidence-based planning process, please sign this petition.

Please also share it with your neighbours, local community groups, elected representatives and anyone who cares about the future planning of Manly Vale.

The more people who understand what is being proposed and how it is being assessed, the stronger the community's voice can be.