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Carlton site brews green concerns

The development of a multi-million dollar residential and commercial area in Chippendale is set to go ahead reports Victoria Strobl in Precinct South Sydney Edition Issue 4/2007 in November 2007.

The new owners of the Carlton United Brewery site plan to lodge demolition applications next month.

The 5.7 hectare brewery site was sold in July to Singapore based developers, Fraser's Property Group for $208 million.

Chippendale residents remain concerned that the result will be massive overdevelopment of the area.

"The developers have paid so much money for the site that financially they've really got no option but to develop it to its absolute maximum allowed extent to get a return on their investment, which is a tragedy for Sydney," said David Pocklington, co-convener of Chippendale Residents Interest Group.

After properly developers AustraLand pulled out of the project in 2005, citing complications over planning approvals, Planning Minister Frank Sartor seized control of the site from Sydney City Council.

An $800 million concept plan for the site was approved by the Minister in February this year.

Earlier in the year, Sydney City Council aided a community legal challenge, questioning the ecologically sustainable development principles in approving the concept plan. The challenge was dismissed.

After a recent meeting with the developers, the Lord Mayor Clover Moore announced that green initiatives would be pursued by the Fraser's Property Group.

Chippendale residents don't share the Lord Mayor's confidence.

"Despite all the nice talk about being environmentally friendly and aiming for green buildings and all the other guff that developers go on with, we're going to end up with a gross over-development of the site," Mr Pocklington said.

According to Chippendale resident Diane Jardine, the development could be a good opportunity.

"I think it would be fantastic to have an area that is a mix of cafes and shops. It will make that part of Chippendale come alive. But if they build big office blocks what will that offer the community?" she said.

Elton Consulting, hired by Fraser's to develop a communication plan between the developers and Chippendale residents will distribute a newsletter to residents in the coming weeks.

They are also responsible for a dedicated website (www.frasersbroadway.com.au) and organising community information sessions.

David Pocklington said that residents will try to maintain good relations with the new owners.

"We will continue to discuss issues with them about where improvements can be applied, because what's been approved so far is just a broad concept plan," he said.

The concept plan includes a 5000 square metre public park and provisions for public art installations.

Trish Oakley, a spokesperson for Elton Consulting said that because of its history as a brewery, the site is to an extent contaminated. "As a result, construction is likely to be more than one year away," she said.

Mr Pocklington believes there will be opportunity to lobby about individual sections of the plan as each one is due for construction.

"We will certainly try to continue to do that," he said, "not just on behalf of the Chippendale community but indeed the wider community."

The owners have recently launched an application for a 5000 square meter public park to be completed ahead of schedule. If successful they will begin works in early 2008.

Photo: There are mixed reactions from residents about the overhaul of the Carlton Brewery site.

Source: University of Technology Precinct South Sydney Edition Issue 4/2007 page 13.

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