Former South Sydney Hospital off the market

Hillsong had been in discussions with Sydney Council staff as well as Councillor John McInerney over the possibility of buying the SSH as a possible alternative site for a super church outside Rosebery.

“They made an offer for the South Sydney Hospital site and there were discussions, but nothing was finalised or officially understood,” Cr McInerney said.

Cr Mcinerney said he did not know what sort of figure Hillsong had offered the council.

Hillsong leader Brian Houston stated earlier this year that the Christian group would “put all our effort into seeing a campus developed in Rosebery”.

Hillsong withdrew an earlier development application for the Rosebery site last year at the eleventh hour after massive local opposition and an independent planning assessment recommended the application be refused.

Rosebery Residents Action Group spokesman Graeme Grace said residents remained opposed to any development at the Rosebery site that would have large-scale traffic impacts but were happy for “suitable development” to take place.

“I always thought some of the area near Sydney Park and the industrial areas would be better,” he said.

“Another DA for Rosebery would have to have reduced traffic impacts compared to the previous DA.”

Sydney councillors voted unanimously at a committee meeting last week to postpone putting South Sydney Hospital on the market after staff advised that the current economic climate would reduce the return on any sale.

“The site is large and future development could contribute greatly to the Green Square Town Centre,” a council spokesman said.

“When market conditions improve, the expression of interest process will be reviewed.”

A spokeswoman for Hillsong Church did not respond to Central’s questions at the time of going to press.

Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/former-south-sydney-hospital-off-the-market/