Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea has come out in strong opposition to current plans for re-zoning the area around the Forest Way Shopping Centre.

"Under the current proposal the area covered by the Forest Way Shopping Centre, the Frenchs Forest Primary School and surrounding houses would be re-zoned for buildings up to five storeys high," Mr O'Dea said.

I am particularly concerned about:

• The lack of any proposed transition from single or double storey homes to dwellings of up to 5 storeys.
• The potential facilitated loss of valuable community facilities, including the Frenchs Forest Primary School, to residential development.
• Existing and potential traffic problems in local streets like Grace Avenue, as well as broader traffic impacts on Warringah Road.

"Having communicated with a number of local residents, I understand how many are very concerned about their personal loss of residential amenity," Mr O'Dea said.

"I also oppose the current proposal to 'declare Frenchs Forest a State significant' area.

"Additionally, the Planning Minister and his Department should allow Warringah Council to oversee any possible rezoning in my electorate, which would require substantial revisions to the current proposal," he said.

"Implementation of the current plans would constitute overdevelopment.

"Appropriate community input and local democratic processes must be respected," Mr O'Dea concluded.