Pemulwuy to test Government

Mant, a lawyer-cum-planner to assist the AHC, said at a recent community consultation meeting that he wants to put the onus on the Department of Planning by submitting a “complying application.”

The AHC, Mant and chief architect Peter Lonergan, informed the community that a number of landmarks had been achieved in their attempt to comply with the Department of Planning’s planning control requirements, which they say are more superfluous than usual.

Owner’s consent has been obtained from the City of Sydney and other groups with the Department of Housing, which owns three small sites near the AHC’s offices – the only vested entity yet to ratify the draft plans.

Talks with RailCorp about a potential bridge extending from Lawson Street onto Eveleigh Street have also ceased, reflecting the NSW Government’s hands-off approach until, presumably, the Department of Planning approves the DA.

Minor changes include the addition of car parking with the mix of residential to non-residential space still averaging around 50-50, said Lonergan. “Height, foor-space-ratio and the residential and non-residential mix summate to a good vibrant development,” said the principal architect.

The biggest hurdle John Mant anticipates is Pemulwuy’s straying away from shop-to-top housing, where retail shops sit under residential premises. Mant told the SSH that the Department-preferred model creates a conflict of interest between residents, business owners and commercial workers and considers it “inappropriate and unsafe” for Pemulwuy.

The Department of Planning will be keen to learn of the type of businesses and residents the AHC is considering for the space. “We encourage Aboriginal businesses to apply but we will be charging commercial rents and they will be competitive,” said the AHC’s Peter Valilis. “Residents will be one hundred percent Aboriginal.”

Interest from middle-income Aboriginal families far exceeds the number of vacancies available, Valilis told the SSH, based on an independent survey undertaken by Sydney University. This detail will not accompany the DA.

John Mant said the 15,000 square metres of building planned is financially manageable, but the AHC will wait until approval has been obtained before approaching lenders. He did say the residential component can be built in stages and that the AHC can strata them for sale or for rent.

Mick Mundine, CEO of the AHC, reminded the 30 plus crowd of the project’s espirit de corps, “The next generation is suffering and caught in a vicious cycle. We need to break that cycle and pave the way for its future.”

The AHC plans to submit the DA to the Department of Planning at the end of August.

John Mant with architect Peter Lonergan Photo: Ben Falkenmire

Source South Sydney Herald September 2007 - www.southsydneyherald.com.au