City Supports Sydney University Proposal for North Eveleigh

The former Eveleigh Railway Workshops are recognised locally, nationally and internationally as a heritage landmark. The complex played a vital role in the development of Australia's rail network and its simple, strong buildings have great potential for adaptive re-use.

At a public meeting convened by Sydney University on 28 April, I expressed concern that the Master Plan adopted by the NSW government's Redfern Waterloo Authority would essentially subdivide and privatise a large part of the site, showing little respect to its unique qualities.

The Authority appears to be under pressure to maximise the site's returns without considering the best use of the site or the future impacts of redevelopment. I am also concerned that attempts may be made to justify the sale by suggesting it will fund the essential upgrade of Redfern station, the busiest station outside the CBD. While the upgrade is urgently needed, it should not be funded from the privatisation of public assets.

Sydney University told the public meeting that they are committed to offering the State Government a market rate for the site - so the Government has no financial reason not to agree to the proposal. I share the community's concern about private overdevelopment if the Government does not accept Sydney University's proposal.

Short-term, dollar-driven decisions will not bring optimum results.

The Sydney University proposal could result in an appropriate and publicly accessible development that will add character, vitality and value to an important site and area.

On Monday night Council unanimously gave in-principle endorsement to the Sydney University proposal and adopted my Lord Mayoral Minute's recommendation which requested that any final proposal for the site incorporate key principles, including:

• integration with the local area, with an open urban design, and human scale;
• a diverse precinct that builds on the existing cultural heritage and community assets of the CarriageWorks and Eveleigh Markets;
• good links to Redfern Station, Redfern Street, Botany Road and Darlington;
• maximised rail access to reduce traffic generation;
• provision of safe and attractive cycling and pedestrian networks with end of trip facilities such as bike-parking and change rooms;
• design excellence; and
• a sustainable development, with a reduced carbon footprint and low water use, and preferably carbon-positive.

Information - Lord Mayoral Minute:

www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/documents/meetings/2010/Council/100510/100510_COUNCIL_ITEM33.pdf

REDWatch Notes from Council Minutes that the motion in the Lord Mayoral Minute was amended at the request of Councillor Harris, and by consent, the motion was varied, in clause (B), by the addition of clause (viii) as follows -

(viii) the encouragement of car sharing, a reduction in the ratio of car spaces per unit and other measures to discourage the individual use of private cars by residents of the development.

The motion, as varied by consent, was carried on the following show of hands – Ayes (9) The Lord Mayor, Councillors Black, Doutney, Harris, Hoff, Kok, Mallard, McInerney and Tornai. Noes (1) Councillor Burgmann.