Channel 9 Willoughby planning stoush heading to to court
The Nine Network has commenced NSW Land & Environment Court proceedings to secure planning approvals for its ridegline 29,860 square metre development site in Willoughby.
The state’s Planning Assessment Commission determined an eight storey height limit and cut the number of dwellings to 350.
The Nine Network is appealing that decision, seeking 450 dwellings and maximum height of 12 storeys.
The television network has been broadcasting from the property since 1956.
Nine Network seeks to follow in the footsteps of the redevelopment of the former ABC site in Gore Hill and the former Channel 7 studio in Epping.
Early plans (pictured above) by Channel Nine were for 600 dwellings with six buildings including three towers above 16 storeys, then later plans for as high as 18-storeys.
Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) has been raised as an issue by the community who noted the radio frequency hazard survey provided by the proponent had been predominantly conducted at ground level. EMR had not been adequately considered for residents living in multi-storey buildings.
The assessment report has recommended a condition which requires future development applications to include electromagnetic radiation reports and incorporate appropriate building design measures to demonstrate residents of all new dwellings will not be exposed to radiation levels above those recommended by ARPANSA.