Development applications continue to roll in for a new medical precinct being created between Caringbah Centre and Sutherland Hospital, on the southern side of Kingsway.
Bonus building heights and floor space ratios are available for developments combining health facilities and apartments.
The latest development application (DA) provides a snapshot of how the area with long-established family homes will be transformed.
Two houses at 7-9 Hinkler Avenue will make way for a six-storey building, with medical facilities on ground level, five levels of apartments and three levels of basement parking.
We bought the house five years ago. I want to stay here, but I also don’t want to be built around.
- Hinkler Avenue resident.
“The existing dwelling houses, together with the associated driveways, swimming pool, awnings, paved / concreted areas, shed, cubby house and fencing on the site are to be demolished,” the DA said.
Three children, aged nine, seven and four, live in the two-storey house that has the cubby house.
“We bought the house five years ago,” said their father, who did not wish to be named.
“I want to stay here, but I also don’t want to be built around.
“We received a good price, but now we have to try and find something else”.
The DA said most of the 15 trees to be removed were small specimens, fruit trees or in poor condition.
However, two larger trees that contributed to the landscape quality and character of the area would also go.
One of them was a 17 metre high Swamp Mahogany, adjacent to the rear boundary, and the other a 12 metre high Cypress on the front boundary.
“An arboricultural assessment report...recommends that all of the trees be removed, but replaced with alternate plantings,” the application said.
The DA said the medical precinct was designed to provide health services facilities and residential accommodation, adjacent to Sutherland Hospital and within walking distance of Caringbah Centre.
Aims included providing employment opportunities and promoting economic growth through synergies with existing medical facilities and to be a catalyst for the revitalisation of Caringbah Centre.