Kristina Keneally on North Eveleigh.

More than 6,500 jobs, 1,200 homes including affordable housing, and five new parks would be delivered under the $550 million redevelopment of the former Eveleigh Railway Yards.

Earlier this month I approved a Concept Plan for the redevelopment of the former Eveleigh Railway Yards site in Redfern.

The former Eveleigh Railway Yards have an important place in both the history and future of Sydney, however, currently the are is simply underutilised.

The sites proximity to the City and Redfern Station means it holds the potential to become one of Sydney’s key inner-city precincts.

The development of the former Eveleigh Railway Yards will help fund upgrades to Redfern Railway Station.

Preserving heritage while helping the site reach it’s potential and creating growth while accommodating residents are just some of the planning challenges that we face.

The Concept Plan however, strikes a balance between these challenges and allows the sites worker and railway history to be recognised.

More than 6,500 jobs would be created during construction with over half becoming ongoing positions once construction is complete and more than 300 of these being allocated for Indigenous workers.

The proposal is for the site to be taken to market in 2009 and developed over the next five to seven years. The development proposal would include:

• Around 1,200 new dwellings within close proximity to Redfern Railway Station, 3 kilometres from the Sydney CBD

• Construction of a number of new buildings ranging from 4 to 16 storeys

• Retention and adaptive re-use of existing heritage buildings

• A public open space network totalling 9,980m² including 5 new parks

• A 12 per cent target of new dwellings for affordable housing

• New community and childcare facilities

Due to the extensive consultation process with the local community, stakeholders and councils the original plan was significantly changed to include the removal of several proposed buildings and the inclusion of five new parks.

I will continue to work with the community towards sustainable and appropriate development in the Heffron area.

Kristina Keneally MP

Member for Heffron

Shop 117, 747 Botany Road, Rosebery NSW 2018

Phone: (02) 9699 8166 Fax: (02) 9699 8222

Email: kristina.keneally@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Source: South Sydney Herald March 2009 www.southsydneyherald.com.au