More than 120 local residents rallied together in opposition to the proposed redevelopment of the Channel Nine TV studio site in Artarmon at a public meeting held late last month at Willoughby Uniting Church.

The public meeting hosted by the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) saw more than 40 residents speak out against Channel Nine’s plan to demolish its television studios to make way for up to 450 dwellings across seven new buildings.

Acting Mayor of Willoughby, Councillor Gail Giles-Gidney urged residents to speak up before the the PAC make their final decision at the end of March.
“Willoughby Council has developed an alternative proposal for the site which restricts development to a maximum of 300 dwellings, inclusion of open space as well as contribution to local public school facilities and upgrades of local roads. The community showed strong support for this proposal,” Giles-Gidney said.

Representatives from Willoughby Council, three local progress associations, the Willoughby Area Action Group and the Northern Sydney Council of Parents and Citizens Association all spoke out against Channel Nine’s proposed $184 million project.
Chair of the PAC, Gabrielle Kibble, said everyone agreed that some developlemt was needed, with most people supporting Willoughby Council’s proposal to limit the contruction to 300 dwellings instead of 450.

“I don’t think I have ever overseen a planning commission where everyone agreed,” Kibble said. “There is something unique about what you have achieved here.”
Giles-Gidney said if the proposal was approved against the wishes of the council and community, the state government would need to address how local schools, roads and public transport services would cope.