Dear Willoughby City Council,

We object the proposed demolition of the existing RSL Chatswood Club to build a tall commercial/office tower on top of the RSL (DA-2020/7, 446 Victoria Avenue Chatswood NSW 2067) for the following reasons:

1. Too many high rise buildings. Over crowded already. Destroying Chatswood.

2. No need for this development. The RSL has already spent about $3m in recent years to upgrade the Chatswood RSL building to a 2 storey building. The building is still very new and fit for purpose for its members and the public. The proposed development is effectively to build a tall commercial/office tower on top of the RSL. If the proposal goes ahead to demolish the existing RSL, not only is it a waste of money of the recent upgrade but also unnecessary for the enjoyment of the RSL members and public. 

3. Construction will be too disruptive - noise levels, additional traffic stress to an already busy area. Danger to kids walking to school and childcare. Pollution and damage to the environment. 

The construction will cause safety issues for the high traffic of school-kids and adults walking to and from Chatswood Public School, Chatswood High School, as well as drop-offs and pick-ups of childcare services nearby. Also, there are bus services just outside the RSL that will be impacted.

A commercial tower, if must be built, could be done elsewhere in a lesser congested part of Chatswood. Otherwise, it will add further traffic stress to an already busy part of Chatswood.

Also, the unnecessary demolition of the existing RSL and construction will create pollution, which is the last thing we need right now with all the bushfire smoke we have experienced of late.

4. Privacy and overshadowing 

Nearby residential apartment blocks such as the Bentleigh and Metro apartments is right next to the RSL. Building a tall commercial tower on top of the RSL will mean all the apartments facing the RSL will have no privacy as well as no natural light due to overshadowing. 

Given the above reasons, the proposal should be scrapped.