UrbanGrowth Metro Quarter Clarifications

1)    Questions regarding the consideration of pedestrian and traffic flow, and road reservations on Botany Rd.

Sydney Metro City and Southwest, of which the Waterloo Metro Station is a part, has received planning approval. It is important to note that the project will result in around 30 million fewer car trips annually by 2036.

The environmental impact statement (EIS) prepared as part of that assessment considered pedestrian and traffic flows and UrbanGrowth NSW has drawn on this analysis in preparing the preferred plan for the Waterloo Metro Quarter.

The installation of new, wide footpaths through the Mero Quarter, lower speed limits for local roads and new street crossings at Raglan and Wellington Streets have been designed to prioritise pedestrians and their safety.

The City of Sydney Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2012 identifies a road reservation on the Western side of Botany Rd only – this does not affect the Waterloo Metro Quarter.

Work is also underway by the NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to manage regional traffic flows. A preliminary concept plan for the Alexandria to Moore Park Connectivity Upgrade (A2MP) proposes road improvements to both the Botany Road and Wyndham Street intersections with McEvoy Street. The upgrades will include a new shared path for pedestrians and cyclists along the northern side of McEvoy Street.

More broadly

• Transport for NSW and the City of Sydney are jointly developing the Green Square and Waterloo Transport Action Plan with the support of Roads and Maritime. The action plan focuses on transport actions, such as service changes, potential on demand services, active transport and measures to improve traffic flow across the next five years.
• Further studies are also being carried out to develop options for medium to long term improvements for all forms of transport in the local area.
• Future Transport 2056 has identified the need for improved connectivity and public transport options from and to the Green Square area. Further investigations will take place on how best to meet this and support the growth of the Eastern City (Sydney City) including the Green Square area. A range of multi-modal options will be considered to improve connectivity from Green Square to the public transport network.
• Roads and Maritime Services is also investigating intersection improvements to reduce travel time, improve connectivity and support urban renewal on the southern outskirts of the CBD.

The proposed improvements will support the urban renewal at Green Square and along the corridor as well as integrate with broader changes to the surrounding road and transport network.

2)    What are the heights of the Metro Quarter buildings?

UrbanGrowth NSW has taken a design-led approach to planning the Waterloo Metro Quarter. Urban design of the Metro Quarter has been subject to, and has met, stringent study requirements. It has been overseen by a Panel chaired by a senior representative of the NSW Government Architect and involving the City of Sydney.

The heights of proposed towers are similar to those at nearby centres such as Redfern, Zetland, Moore Park and Green Space Square Town Centre. They are also consistent with housing proposed for other Metro stations in Sydney, including Epping and Crows Nest and at existing rail stations, including St Leonards. Co-locating housing with transport infrastructure is also commonplace internationally. Examples include Joyce-Collingwood, in Vancouver and Nine Elms and Elephant & Castle, in South London.

Approximate reduced level heights (RLs) in relation to the neighbouring social housing estate and Green Square are shown in the table below.

3)    What is the economic contribution of the integrated Waterloo Metro and over station development?

Sydney Metro City & Southwest will provide a range of high-value benefits to Sydney and NSW, including cutting travel times, reducing congestion, greater choice of services and community facilities, and new choices for jobs, education and recreation. Importantly integrated station development will help meet the increasing demand for well-located residential, commercial, retail and community precincts, and contribute to economic growth through appropriate land use outcomes

Sydney Metro’s priority is to deliver world class metro stations and precincts that are activated and socially inclusive places. Waterloo Metro Quarter is an integrated station development. It will encompass a new Sydney Metro Waterloo Station and over station development, new homes (including up to 20% Social and Affordable housing), shops and community plaza.

A key consideration in the selection criteria for the tender process will be the contribution the development can make to the precinct including placemaking and the quality of the urban design and delivery of community benefits.

For more information on the business case and integrated station development please visit https://www.sydneymetro.info/sites/default/files/Sydney%20Metro%20CSW%20Business%20Case%20Summary.pdf

and https://www.sydneymetro.info/sites/default/files/document-library/Sydney%20Metro%20Integrated%20Station%20Development%20November%202017.pdf

This information has been supplied to REDWatch by UrbanGrowth Development Corporation on 16 JUne 2018.