Help Protect 49 Park Street – Make a Submission to Georges River Council

A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is being sought for 49 Park Street, Carlton, which would allow the demolition of an existing circa-1920 California bungalow and its replacement with three terrace dwellings under the Pattern Book process.

Many residents only became aware of this proposal after the formal notification period, which ran in the lead-up to Christmas – a time when people are often away or impacted by holidays, family commitments and business shutdowns. As a result, some immediate neighbours were unable to respond in time. Community members are now asking Council to consider submissions despite this timing and to carefully review whether this development should proceed.

Why this CDC should be refused

1. The proposal does not meet minimum lot width requirements

Under the Low Rise Medium Density (LMR) controls, terrace developments on a single lot are required to have a minimum lot width of 18 metres.

The Park Street site measures approximately 17.3 metres at the street frontage and 16.8 metres at the rear, meaning it does not comply with the minimum standard.

On this basis alone, the development should not be approved as complying development.

2. Loss of neighbourhood character and heritage

The existing dwelling at 49 Park Street is a double-fronted California bungalow built around 1920. Homes of this era are a defining feature of Carlton and Kogarah, contributing to the area’s character, streetscape and sense of place. They represent an important and increasingly rare part of our built heritage.

The continued replacement of these homes with generic, high-density “cookie-cutter” developments leads to the permanent and irreversible loss of heritage value, architectural diversity and neighbourhood identity. While higher housing yields may be achieved, this comes at the expense of what makes our suburb distinctive and liveable.