Explorer Street South Eveleigh public housing rezoning proposal - exhibition until 1st December 2023

Image above is of the rezoning reference scheme indicating possible location of buildings and heights - the building to the east is cut off in the image and is 13 stories like the building to the west. Final design of buildings and park will be decided by development applications at a later stage.

The proposal is to replace the existing 46 public housing townhouses with up to 400 units of which 30% (up to 120) would be social housing and 20% (up to 80) would be affordable housing based on income. The balance would be private units. The proposal is to deliver 20% of the affordable housing (up to 16) as Aboriginal affordable housing.

The proposal includes buildings from 4 to 13 storeys and proposes a floor space of 2.94 times the residential land area (FSR 2.94:1).

The South Sydney Rotary Park to the south of the development is proposed to be upgraded with a requirement that 50% of the open space is to receive sunlight for a minimum of 4 hours between 9am to 3pm during the shortest day of the year. The proposal also seeks to maintain and upgrade the existing streets (Explorer Street and Aurora Place) with new kerbs, footpaths, street trees and basement parking across two levels for 245 cars.

There are three sites with information about the proposal:

• DPE’s Priority growth areas and precincts site for Explorer Street Eveleigh  has and overview and summary details of the proposal and consultation links as well as a link to the newsletter / information pack (PDF, 544 KB) to find out more information. Following the webinar on 26 October on 16 November DPE posted The webinar recording and questions and answers from the webinar (please note this includes answers to some questions asked but not answered at the webinar).
• The rezoning proposal and technical studies can be found on the NSW Planning Portal page for the exhibition and submissions can also be made through this page on the portal.
• Land and Housing Corporation’s Explorer Street Eveleigh also has some information.
• City of Sydney Council's Explorer Street Eveleigh webpage includes Council's Submission to Explanation of Intended Effect for the Explorer Street Site, Eveleigh which has been released so people can see the issues of concern to Council and consider this in their own submissions.
• REDWatch has posted the media release from Ministers Scully and Jackson on the REDWatch website at Have your say on rezoning plans for Explorer Street in Eveleigh.
• REDWatch has also prepared an Explorer Street Rezoning Issues for Consideration

The key documents for this exhibition are:

• Explanation of Intended Effect  - This document sets out the changes to planning controls as part of the rezoning and the concept scheme developed by DPE that is used for the proposal. It includes the statutory changes proposed to be included in the City of Sydney Local Environment Plan.
• Draft Design Guide  - This design guide is proposed to guide the redevelopment. It has a lesser planning weight than the LEP changes but must be considered like a development control plan.

Technical studies – These studies consider the issues required to be assessed in making a decision about the rezoning. As this rezoning was started with the City of Sydney it reflects Council’s requirements. As a result the studies includes a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) that would not normally be required by DPE until the Development Application stage. REDWatch has argued that rezoning of public housing estates should have a SIA as early as possible in the planning process, because as soon as an announcement is made to redevelop the impacts start on those living there.

• Aboriginal Objects Due Diligence Assessment
• Archaeological Assessment 
• Biodiversity Report 
• Design Report
• Designing With Country Report
• Public Art Framework 
• Flood Assessment Report 
• Geotechnical Study 
• Heritage Impact Assessment 
• Landscape Design Report
• Lighting Strategy 
• Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment 
• Social Infrastructure and Impact Assessment - the Social Impact Assessment part of this study is likely to be of interest for public housing redevelopments more widely.
• Stormwater Management Report 
• Sustainability Framework 
• Transport Impact Assessment 
• Utilities & Infrastructure Servicing Assessment 
• Visual Impact Assessment 

The following information sessions were held:

• Webinar - Thursday 26 October 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm - Now see the webinar recording and questions and answers from the webinar. 
• Drop-in sessions – general community - Saturday 28 October 12 pm to 2 pm & Tuesday 31 October 5 pm to 6:30 pm at 2 Davy Road, Eveleigh Drop in Sessions just for Explorer Street tenants were also organised.
• Talk to a planner session Friday 3 November & Wednesday 8 November 
• REDWatch, Friends of Erskineville and Alexandria Residents Action Group held a community meeting with DPE and LAHC about the proposal on 8th November 2023 at Alexandria Town Hall.

Submissions – need to be made by 1 December 2023 on line on the NSW Planning Portal page for the exhibition.

REDWatch's comments can be seen at Explorer Street Rezoning Issues for Consideration and on our Facebook page. Council's at Submission to Explanation of Intended Effect for the Explorer Street Site, Eveleigh. 

Updated 27 November 2023