Delivery Program 2009–2012 - Rockdale City Council - NSW ...

Environmental AmenityRoad traffic continues to be a substantial source of noise within the City of Rockdale as our City is a major transportthoroughfare to and from the Sydney CBD, Sydney Airport and Port Botany Shipping Terminal. Industrial noise isnot a major source of noise complaints, although occasional complaints are lodged with Council. Complaints aboutcommercial activities are received, for example, unreasonable noise from businesses operating out of approvedhours.Residential housing continues to increase in density. People are living closer to each other with the resulting increasein the potential for noise nuisance. Air conditioners, entertaining and loud music are still common sources of noiseintrusion. In the northern part of the City, aircraft noise from Sydney Airport has long had an impact. Graffiti isanother issue that impacts on the amenity of our City.Main Issues and Pressures◆ Aircraft movement remains a significant source of noise in the City of Rockdale;◆ Common domestic noise complaints including barking dogs, air conditioners, intruder alarms and loud music;◆ Remedying potential noise impacts during the Development Application process; and◆ Graffiti on private and public buildings.Major Responses◆ Ongoing investigation of noise complaints by Council’s Environmental Health Officers and Regulation Inspectors;◆ Implementation of the Department of Environment and Climate Change’s Noise Guide for Local Governmentand Industrial Noise Policy; and◆ Safer City Program - removal of 11,889 square metres of graffiti in 2007/2008 from private, commercial andutilities buildings and Council properties.HeritageThe City of Rockdale has a number of unique built, natural and Aboriginal features which are considered to besignificant contributors to local, state and national heritage. These features hold significance for a variety of reasons,including historic, aesthetic, architectural, technical or social value. Whilst buildings remain the most common typeof heritage item within the City of Rockdale, a number of natural features are also included on Council’s heritageschedule.The Rockdale Local Environmental Plan (LEP) lists 230 built items and 36 natural/cultural items as a result of anongoing program of review of the City’s heritage. In addition, five features or places within the City of Rockdale havealso been incorporated onto the Register of the National Estate, having been identified as having national heritagesignificance. The NSW State Heritage Register identifies 11 items of state heritage significance located within theCity of Rockdale.The Rockdale Aboriginal Heritage Study concluded that it is likely the entire City of Rockdale was used extensively byAboriginal groups. Much of the City has been heavily modified since European settlement of the area, diminishing thelikelihood that archaeological evidence of past Aboriginal occupation and land use activities still remain visible on theground surface. Four sites are recorded on the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Aboriginal Sites Register.Main Issues and Pressures◆ Significant built and natural heritage features are under continued pressure from development;◆ Continuing degradation of streetscape;◆ Preference for new and cheaper building styles and materials; and◆ Development proposals not designed to address the character of the streetscape or impacts on adjoiningheritage items.Rockdale City Plan | 46