More information on this development can be found on the Department of Planning website SSD-51274973 600-660 Elizabeth Street, Redfern - Mixed Use.

As the documents are all mixed up on the planning portal you may want to also have a look at the REDWatch website page where we made some initial comments and provided a list of unscrambled documents and links - 660 Elizabeth St Redfern (PCYC site) Redevelopment - Exhibition until 4 December 2024.

You can see the media release from Bridge Housing on the REDWatch website under New DA with ambition to deliver more social and affordable housing in Redfern. There is also general information on Bridge’s Redfern Place Development Proposal page and the Homes NSW / NSW Land and Housing Corporation's Redfern Place web page. Construction is planned to begin late 2025 before completion in early 2028.

You can download a flyer for this event from Elizabeth Street & PCYC Redfern Plan Explained REDWatch Meeting 26 Nov 24 Flyer

The proposal contains some significant changes from Bridge’s initial presentation to REDWatch on 2 March 2023. Bridge have dropped the 100 proposed private apartments from the scheme  and are now proposing only social and affordable housing on the site in addition to a new PCYC, Bridge’s offices and 11 disability / carer units. The application states that if financing for the affordable housing does not eventuate they will submit a new DA. The current estimated development cost is $213,606,722 (excluding GST).

There is no information we can see that details what kind of affordable housing is proposed. The initial proposal contained both affordable housing linked to income as well as discount off market housing which was only proposed to be affordable for 10 years.

The documents propose an increase of 24 units on the site to bring the total to 355. The 100 private units have been replaced by 77 extra affordable and 47 extra social. Given that Homes NSW only required 100 units on the site it is not clear if the extra 47 will be part of the Homes deal or if Bridge Housing will own and operate some themselves. The initial proposal was that the Homes NSW social housing units would be operated by the Waterloo successful tendering. As the consortium Bridge was part of withdrew from the Waterloo tender, there is the possibility that while Bridge might build these Units they may now be operated by the successful Waterloo tender.

The proposal includes an application (Appendix E) for a slight increase in height over the edge of one building as well as a request for additional floor space allowance (Appendix F). The figures on the latter are not clear due to the need to juggle site FSR’s of 1.5:1, allowance for the community facility 0.57:1), a 10% design excellence allowance and a BASIX water allowance (0.15:1) that the says the site does not meet. The FSR requested is 2.442:1 which the application says is an increase of 6.75% if they had met the BASIX targets.

Obviously REDWatch has not had a chance to go through the documents in detail and we will approach Bridge for clarification and see if we can arrange a community meeting where Bridge can brief the community on their proposal and ask any questions. The short exhibition time means that it falls between our November AGM tonight and the first Thursday in December.

Below is our list of the Documents for SSD-51274973 600-660 Elizabeth Street, Redfern - Mixed Use. in order so they match those in the Environment Impact Statement:

More information will be added as more information becomes available.

The CME building, is listed as a State Heritage item (Item #01139) under the Heritage Act 1977. It is a two-storey masonry and brick building in the Victorian style built in 1887 and subsequently extended in 1900 and 1920 to accommodate the expansion of NSW railways and demand for engineering services within the area. It was the primary administrative building for the whole Eveleigh Railway Workshops (ERW) housing the office of the Chief Mechanical Engineer as well as ordinary engineers, overseers, inspectors and various clerical staff. 

It currently contains 32 rooms and 3 bathrooms across two levels. Room sizes vary, with rooms at the eastern and western sides of the building being larger and the central rooms being smaller. Heritage fabric within the rooms include fireplaces, ceiling and wall detailing and cabinetry. Minor internal alterations over the years to these rooms included the addition of lighting and false ceilings, wall partitions and cabinetry. The site also includes an existing garden to the east of the CME building which has been left un-kept for several years. This area is known as the Eastern Gardens. 

The Development Application on exhibition proposes restoration of the building and alterations to make it suitable for current day use. Proposed works comprise new internal walls, doors, a lift, amenities, windows and new balustrades. Landscaping is proposed to improve the curtilage around the CME building and ensure the building is more accessible while retaining all trees on the site. New in-ground services including a new stormwater system and new sewer connection are also proposed. 

The questions for this exhibition relate to the trade-off between the original heritage values of this important heritage item and what is considered necessary to make it suitable for reuse. It’s about the appropriateness of the adaptive reuse and if Burra Charter conservation principles have been applied.  

Given that this exhibition is about the impact of the work on this heritage listed building, it is of major concern that the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the CME’s building, which the EIS says was prepared in 2022 has not been placed on exhibition with the other documents.  

Instead we have a Statement of Heritage Impact, as well as an Aboriginal Heritage Due Diligence and a Historical Archaeological Assessment. Appendix B of the Statement of Heritage Impact, has a table assessment against the CME’s CMP Policies but the CMP itself has not been released.  

The first policy referenced in the CME CMP Policy assessment section states: “The present CMP should be used as the principal document to guide the conservation and management of the CME Building. This CMP should be adopted by TAHE and TfNSW”. Presumably the 2022 CMP that is supposed to be the principle document governing what happens to the CME’s building has not yet been adopted by TAHE and TfNSW.  

Nor it would appear that TAHE and TfNSW are prepared to publically exhibit the CMP to gain feedback from the community. This is a major concern. While CMPs for South Eveleigh were released for comment and are publically available, TfNSW has not released CMPs for Redfern Station, nor now for the CME building. 

Appendix B of the Statement of Heritage Impact also assesses the proposed changes to the CME building against the Overarching CMP which was released as part of the Paint Shop Precinct documents and can be seen - Updated Eveleigh Railway Workshops Overarching Conservation Management Plan and Addendum to Eveleigh Railway Workshop Overarching Conservation Management Plan. 

REDWatch has argued since the Redfern Waterloo Authority was established in 2004 that the CME Building should be restored and bought to an appropriate use rather than left to deteriorate until the fate of the rest of North Eveleigh was determined. It is pleasing to see this is now happening, even if it has allowed almost 20 years unnecessary decay. What is of concern is that not all the relevant documents to do the adaptive use assessment required in this DA have been released. 

TfNSW has run a Registration of Interest (ROI) process to gauge interest in moving into the building and is currently near the end of its Expression of Interest (EOI) process. The changes proposed in this DA are to make the building suitable for whoever gains the building to be able to move in. Depending on the activity of the successful applicant, a use DA may be required. 

The main summary document for this exhibition is CME Final EIS. This document includes up to Appendix E, The rest of the appendices as separate documents that can be downloaded from the exhibition page for 505 Wilson Street, Redfern - CME Building. 

Below REDWatch has prepared a guide to the documents in the order used by the EIS to help people easily find the report they are interested in.

Exhibition Documents – direct links

Please note that since the exhibition started TfNSW have supplied some reports also in a form that meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These files contain WCAG after their name and have the same content as the non WCAG versions. 

Chief Mechanical Engineer’s Building Environmental Impact Statement (Main Document)

• Appendix A - Secretary’s environmental assessment requirements checklist CME FINAL EIS page 90
• Appendix B - Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 checklist CME FINAL EIS page 96
• Appendix C - Statutory compliance table CME FINAL EIS page 99
• Appendix D - Stakeholder and community engagement table CME FINAL EIS page 102
• Appendix E - Environmental management measures CME FINAL EIS page 105
• Appendix F.1 Architectural Drawings
• Appendix F.2 Survey Plan
• Appendix G.1 Architectural Design Report
• Appendix G.2 Finishes Schedule
• Appendix H Landscape Drawings
• Appendix I BCA Report
• Appendix J Preliminary Site Investigation
• Appendix K BDAR Waiver & Cover Letter
• Appendix L.1 Statement of Heritage Impact 
• Appendix L.2 Historical Archaeological Assessment
• Appendix M Traffic Transport & Accessibility Study
• Appendix N Sustainability Report
• Appendix O Energy & Thermal Assessment
• Appendix P Acoustic Assessment
• Appendix Q Social Impact Assessment
• Appendix R Engagement Report
• Appendix S Access Capability Statement
• Appendix T.1 Arboricultural Impact Assessment Report 
• Appendix T.2 Aboricultural Plans
• Appendix U Hazardous Materials Survey Report
• Appendix V Pre Refurbishment Hazardous Materials Survey Report
• Appendix W Waste Management Plan
• Appendix X Integrated Water Management Plan
• Appendix Y Aboriginal Heritage Due Diligence
• Appendix Z.1 Concept Design Report
• Appendix Z.2 Electrical Services drawings
• Appendix Z.3 Fire Services drawings
• Appendix Z.4 Hydraulic Services drawings
• Appendix Z.5Mechanical Services drawings
• Appendix AA Environmental Cleaning Summary Letter
• Appendix BB Structural Drawings

Conservation Management Plan - At the end of the Exhibition TfNSW also released the Conservation Management Plan for the CME building. The direct links for these files are:

• CMECMP Final draft revised 16.2.23 - this is the main CMP report 213 pages
• CME Inventory Datasheets 3.2.23 – there is a data sheet for each room in the building and a grading of its significance - 419 pages
• CMP CME APPENDIX A - Historical Context – 50 pages
• CMP CME APPENDIX B - Physical Condition 9.1.23 – This report contains both the Condition Report and the Schedule of Conservation Works including a room by room analysis. It also includes an incomplete References section - 419 pages 

Site Context and SEARS

• Early Consultation - Site context
• Request for SEARs - 24 March 2022
• SEARS COVER LETTER 505 WILSON ST_SSD-39971796
• SEARS 505 WILSON ST_SSD-39971796

Produced by REDWatch 28 Jan 2023 Updated 21 Feb 2023

If you have been to the pub in Bays 1 & 2 North, you will notice that there is seating in Innovation Plaza even though the DA for this seating has yet not been approved. The pub is operating on a temporary basis in accordance with the post-Covid provisions of State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 which permit temporary outdoor dining in areas across Sydney until 31 December 2023. 

The approval for permanent use of Innovation Plaza for this use is currently on exhibition as a State Significant Development Modification (Mod 11) for the Locomotive Workshops rather than a DA through Council. The long term use proposal is on exhibition until January Friday 20 January 2023. 

We have posted the Council submission for this DA on the REDWatch website - Council Submission on Innovation Plaza Seating Exhibition until 20 Jan 2023. Council have raised a number of concerns especially about the proposed operation after 10pm.

Patrons and neighbours will have the opportunity over Christmas and New Year to form a view on the application for this long-term use and make a submission through the major projects' website. 

Innovation Plaza – a planning shemozzle - REDWatch Comment

State and Council planning are always in a complex dance when the NSW Government decides that the Department of Planning (DPE) should make the big planning decisions rather than Council. In the case of South Eveleigh, DPE handle the decisions about the redevelopment of the Locomotive Workshop but leave the use DA to the City of Sydney Council.  

In the case of Innovation Plaza, Mirvac wanted to put built structures and seating into Innovation Plaza, so they put a State Significant Development Application to DPE which was exhibited as Mod 7. REDWatch objected in our REDWatch Submission on Loco Mod 7 encroachment on Public Space on the grounds that the public space is presumably protected by easements and positive covenants put in place by UrbanGrowth. REDWatch approached the Council planners to see if Council would enforce the easement that was enforceable only by them. We were advised that Council supported such activation so would not enforce the easement. 

In the end the State Significant Development over-rode the protections put in place by UrbanGrowth and the public recreation zone land zoning. The approval permitted a scaled back use of Innovation plaza for seating and some removable structures. The final use approval was to be made by the relevant consent authority which would normally be Council as it was for the operation of the pub. 

It turns out that Council could not deal with the DA because, as the current application explains: “Innovation Plaza is located in a public recreation zone where the proposed food and drink premises use is prohibited and in which the City of Sydney does not have the ability to approve the proposal or a footway dining application. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment (The Department) has the ability to approve the proposed use in Innovation Plaza under section 4.38 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). Accordingly, the application is made as a modification to SSD 8517 rather than as a DA to the City of Sydney”.  

So, rather than a DA being assessed by the Council’s planning panel, we have a further modification to the SSDA because only DPE has the power to over-ride the prohibited use restriction, which is in the land use zoning that DPE decided was OK to over-ride when it dealt with the earlier Modification. 

Irrespective of what your views are about on street dining and street drinking or the use of Innovation Plaza for such purposes, there are questions about what purpose do “protections” like land use zoning, easements and positive covenants really provide to the community if Council planners don’t seek to enforce them and state government over-rides them. The winner out of all this is likely to be Mirvac South Eveleigh and maybe its tenant, Brewdog pub, which look likely to get an extra 220 pub seats in a public recreation zone which it is not paying rent on. It’s a good deal if you can get it! 

As we have said in the previous section, people have the opportunity over Christmas and New Year to form a view on this use of Innovation Plaza and to make a submission through the major projects' website until January Friday 20 January 2023. 

Submissions can be made on line until 24 November 2022 on the Department of Planning and Environment’s website: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/node/30303866. While we have provided direct links to documents below they can also be found at this weblink.

Since this guide was prepared REDWatch has also posted a REDWatch Update on the LES Exhibition issues as well as the City of Sydney Submission on Large Erecting Shop Rezoning Proposal

The Southern landing site for the Carriageworks Bridge

The LES sits in South Eveleigh to the West of the recently redeveloped Locomotive Workshops. The space between these two buildings is the proposed location for a connecting Bridge to Carriageworks that would save a 20minutes walk between the two sites. If you argued for a connecting bridge for the paintshop precinct you should also argue in this exhibition for that same bridge. Latter we will also deal with the relevant contributions plan and the money the NSW Government has already collected towards the bridge.

TAHE / TfNSW / Mirvac tie up

Like the Paint Shop and Clothing Store Precincts in North Eveleigh, the LES is owned by Transport Asset Holding Entity NSW (TAHE) and managed by Transport Heritage NSW (TfNSW). In 2015 when Mirvac purchased the Australian Technology Park it obtained rights to negotiate for the LES should it become available for redevelopment. After an unsolicited proposal in October 2018, Mirvac entered into a Cooperation deal with TfNSW on behalf of TAHE to start the planning for the site redevelopment.

Earlier Saving of the LES

Under the Redfern Waterloo Authority (RWA) the LES was to be pulled down and replaced with a 12 storey building but opposition from residents and heritage rail groups saw the building saved. One of the last acts of the RWA was to restore the height controls to existing height and to reinstate a zoning of ‘Special Purpose Zone – Infrastructure’ with a site-specific clause (clause 23A, Appendix 3, Precincts SEPP) that also allows development with consent for the purposes of ‘information and education facilities’ and ‘rail infrastructure facilities’. At this time the site was operated by heritage rail operator 3801 Ltd.

Zoning

The current rezoning seeks to change the zoning for the land to ‘Business Zone – Business Park’ under the Precincts - Eastern Harbour City SEPP to allow for a mix of commercial and retail development, the same zoning as the surrounding South Eveleigh park.

Height

The Height remains the existing height but with flexibility for minor protrusions of up to 1 metre for roof plant, machinery and cooling towers subject to consent authority approval.

Floor Space Increase

The big change is in the floor space that will be allowed within the building. The proposal takes a high open production building and in effect puts 3 floors of offices into the building. The internal floor footprint of the LES is approx. 6,000 sqm and the rezoning proposes 15,000 sqm equating to a Floor Space ration of 2.5:1. The Explanation of Intended Effects lists those items not included in floor space calculations such as loading docs, lift wells, cooling towers etc. The quantity of floor space requested will have the effect of removing much of the scale of the original building when inside.

LES Heritage Significance

The site is on the State Heritage Register, Is listed on the heritage buildings for the precinct. The exhibition documents include heritage studies and an interpretation plan. The Overarching Eveleigh Workshops Conservation Management Plan (CMP) gives the LES a high heritage value. The Overarching CMP describes the Large Erecting Shop (1898-1906) as:

Rectangular building, approximately 185 metres in length (running east-west) and 36 metres in width, formed as two parallel bays with gable roofs. It has brick masonry load-bearing walls laid in English bond with double semi-circular arched windows in corbelled and polychrome brickwork. Internally, cast-iron columns support steel roof trusses clad with corrugated metal sheets and clear alsynite panels and overhead cranes run the length of both bays.

Like the Paint Shop Precinct there is here a playoff between Heritage Significance and redevelopment floor space. Council has indicated that they thing the floor space is excessive and is concerned the introduction of two internal floors will take away from the scale and characteristics of the large space linked to its historic use and the low ceilings will result in poor amenity.

Additional Uses

It was not clear to REDWatch what was changed in the Additional Uses map (Fig 6 of the Intended Effects). Following our raising concerns with DPE a new Aditional Uses map has been removed from the Explanation of intended effect amended 10 November 2022.

Parking

The RWA planning controls for the ATP / South Eveleigh Site of set a maximum parking level cap of 1600 spaces. As this cap has not been reached the rezoning proposes 20 car parking spaces be provided at street level alongside the LES.

RWA Contributions Plans

The RWA also set up separate Contribution plans for Affordable Housing and local infrastructure delivery separate from the Council plans. These contribution plans have now been transferred to the Minister for Planning and Homes. Government has been sitting on contributions from these funds and has not spent them for affordable housing or local infrastructure.

Money Already Collected for Connecting Bridge

One of the items government said they were collecting funds for was a bridge across the railway line linking North and South Eveleigh. In fact when the NSW Government sold the ATP to Mirvac they also pocketed the funds that the ATP had promised to this bridge. In short the NSW Government has been promising this connection since 2005 and collecting funds for it but then saying it won’t deliver the bridge.

State not Council will be Consent Authority

As with the original RWA plan the current rezoning proposal proposes to leave the NSW Government as the Consent Authority for the redevelopment rather than allow it to be handled by Council.

City of Sydney’s Initial Concerns

Council has released its City of Sydney Submission on Large Erecting Shop Rezoning Proposal. Following are a summary of some concerns raised by Council which have been made available to REDWatch:

• The City argues that the future DA should not be declared state significant as proposed, and that the City should be the consent authority.
• A bridge connecting North and South Eveleigh should be considered.
• Part of the building should be considered for heritage tourism.
• The City supports the retention of the external heritage fabric, but is concerned the introduction of two internal floors will take away from the scale and characteristics of the large space linked to its historic use and the low ceilings will result in poor amenity. The City recommends larger voids and reducing the floor space.
• The Redfern Waterloo Authority Contributions Plan is outdated and does not account for this additional development. The City recommends that the RWA Contributions Plan be rescinded and the City’s development contributions plan should apply.
• The City is concerned there is no commitment to affordable workspaces.
• The City suggests this site could contribute to the late-night economy, given its location next to the railway.
• The City is concerned about the design of the public domain, particularly Locomotive Street, and suggests the City’s public domain, streets and tree planting policies are applied.
• The City recommends a reduction in car parking given the site’s location.
• The City recommends the application be subject to a design competition.
• The project must be informed by the Connecting with Country Framework, in accordance with the Government Architect NSW policy.
• The City asks for higher sustainability targets in its development, operation and waste management.

Links to Important Documents:

Early on there was a move to change the name for the exhibition from the Heritage Register name of the Large Erecting Shop to the South Eveleigh Train Workshop. This is still the name on the Priority Growth Areas and Precinct page of the DPE site however it does not link to the exhibition documents. You can see the information on this page at https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans-for-your-area/Priority-Growth-Areas-and-Precincts/South-Eveleigh-Train-Workshop.

The exhibition documents and the portal to make a submission is at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/node/30303866.

The main documents are the Explanation of intended effect amended 10 November 2022 and the Large Erecting Shop planning report of which all the other reports below are appendices:

• Appendix A - Development Approval Strategy Statement
• Appendix B - Design Report
• Appendix B - Design Report - 19 August 2022
• Appendix C - Design Excellence Strategy
• Appendix D - Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Statement
• Appendix E - Non-Aboriginal Statement of Heritage Impact
• Appendix F - Non-Aboriginal Heritage Study
• Appendix G - Heritage Interpretation Plan
• Appendix H - Environmental Sustainability Planning Study
• Appendix I - Noise and Vibration Assessment
• Appendix J - Public Art Strategy
• Appendix K - Traffic Impact Assessment
• Appendix L - Utilities & Infrastructure Servicing Report
• Appendix M - Sydney Water Infrastructure Report
• Appendix N - Flood Risk Assessment
• Appendix O - Draft Plan of Subdivision
• Appendix P - Preliminary Site Investigation Report
• Appendix Q - Consultation Outcomes Report

Mirvac have also lodged a request for Secretaries Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARS) for a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) which gives further information on what they plan for the site. The SEARs setting out the requirements for the LES SSDA were issued on 18 November 2022.

The SSDA site is - https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/south-eveleigh-large-erecting-shop 

The request of SEARS that give an overview of what is planned for the SSDA is at https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=PDA-49541706%2120221020T024028.022%20GMT

You can find more of the history about the earlier battles around the LES on the REDWatch website under The Large Erecting Shop (LES).

REDWatch Updated 18/11/2022

REDFERN ON TRACK FOR RENEWAL

More than ten hectares of public land near one of Sydney’s best-connected train stations will be transformed, creating a residential, entertainment and technology hub on the doorstep of the Sydney CBD.

Minister for Cities Rob Stokes said the draft master plan for Redfern-North Eveleigh sets a vision for affordable and diverse housing, a start-up hub and entertainment precinct within walking distance of Redfern Station.

“The Redfern-North Eveleigh precinct is a ten hectare parcel of inner city public land that has been off limits to the general public for more than a century and provides the perfect place for a new city-shaping precinct,” Mr Stokes said.

“We’re transforming the old rail yards by restoring and protecting their heritage value, building new homes and offices while creating more than 14,000 square metres of public space, including a new town square and public parkland.

“Just as we’ve seen at Carriageworks, this plan will celebrate Redfern’s deep indigenous connection and industrial past while creating a new precinct that accommodates people to live and work in the inner city.

“We’ve set a historic target of 30 per cent diverse housing, half of which must be social and affordable housing, which is triple the Greater Cities Commission’s baseline target.”

The draft masterplan is focused on the Paint Shop sub-precinct, named after the 135-year-old red brick Victorian workshop where trains were overhauled up until 1988.

Key features of the draft masterplan include:

• Adaptive reuse of the 6,000 square metre Paint Shop building.
• New public square fronting Wilson Street.
• New public parkland near Chief Mechanical Engineer’s building.
• New public square near Carriageworks and the Paint Shop.
• Plans for up to 450 new homes, around 8,000 jobs during construction and up to 16,000 jobs once activated. 
• At 30 percent diverse housing, at least half of which must be social and affordable housing.
• Building heights ranging from three to 28 storeys.

“The Paint Shop building provides an incredible canvas to re-imagine Redfern-North Eveleigh into a thriving place in the heart of the inner city,” Mr Stokes said.

“The revitalisation of the area around Redfern Station will be complemented by the upcoming plans to redevelop the area around Central Station, bookending Tech Central with two world-class precincts and transport hubs.”

“There will be dedicated spaces for startup businesses and better active transport connections between Redfern Station, North Eveleigh and to the bike network.”

The NSW Government has prepared a State Significant Precinct study and indicative masterplan for the Paint Shop Sub-Precinct which proposes to change the planning controls to guide future revitalisation. Transport for NSW is working closely with the Transport Asset Holding Entity, the site owner to deliver this transformational renewal.

The proposed masterplan for the Paint Shop sub-precinct is on public exhibition until Thursday 25 August. The community is encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal by visiting the Virtual Engagement Room at bit.ly/RNE-virtual-room

You can read more about the project here: www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/paintshop

The information below has been provided by the DPE

The Paint Shop sub-precinct will be a key part of Tech Central, with floor space for technology and innovation industries, new public open space and new homes.

The Carriageworks and Clothing Store sub-precincts are not affected by this proposal.

The rezoning proposal aims to deliver:

• About 6,200 innovation, commercial and creative sector jobs.
• 450 new homes including a minimum 15% affordable housing.
• New community/cultural spaces.
• More than 1.25 hectares of public open space.
• New walking paths and connections to Redfern station.

Find out more about the rezoning proposal at TfNSW’s webpage.

The Department is responsible for gathering submissions and evaluating the proposal. Find out more about Redfern North Eveleigh at our webpage.

The Consultation information below has been provided by Transport for NSW

• Transport website https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/redfern-north-eveleigh-precinct-renewal
• View the reports and masterplan on the DPE Planning Portal and make a submission.
• Visit the Redfern North Eveleigh virtual engagement room
• View the project animation 
• See the Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct project overview video and the project update video

Media Articles

The following media articles have run about the announcement:

• Redevelopment plans for historic Sydney rail workshops unveiled (SMH 26/7/22)
• Sydney's Redfern to get 450 new homes - AFR

• Redfern scheme to spark inner city development  (News Ltd)

• Redfern rail yards set for urban renewal - ArchitectureAU

The request for the rezoning came from the Land and Housing Corporation, the Government Corporation (LAHC) that owns public housing in NSW. The City of Sydney replaced LAHC proposal with its own different proposal. The Minister took planning proposal authority (PPA) role off the Council and gave it to a section of the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE). Following evaluation from another part of DPE, the PPA made a number of changes to the earlier Council proposal.

These changes increased the high-rise towers from 3 to 4, moved the locations of some buildings and streets and increased the size of the development by 10% by allowing the design excellence increase to be additional rather than caped within the stated floor space. The figures shown in the PPE proposal material for the number of dwellings are the minimum and the likely outcome is expected to be between 3300 and 3400 depending on unit size not the 3012 referred to in the material. The increase in the size of the development only became public at the beginning of April as a result of the Council analysis. The PPA continue to use the lower minimum dwelling numbers in their presentations.

Council in their draft submission have said this increase in density has not been properly disclosed or tested and Council have questioned if the increase will fit within the planning envelopes exhibited. There is no assessment for example of the impact of the PPE proposal on streets, parks and courtyards. People making submission are encouraged to also read the Council submission rather than take the exhibited material at face value. The links provided below are provided in the context of the above comments and should not be taken at face value.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Submissions must reach the Department of Planning and Environment before 11:59pm Friday, 29 April, 2022.

You can make a submission in a number of ways:

ONLINE

To make an online submission please complete the form and/or upload submission at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr/under-exhibition/waterloo-estate-south

BY MAIL

Written submissions must be addressed ON BOTH THE LETTER AND THE ENVELOPE to

Mr Alan Bright
Director, Planning Proposal Authority
Planning & Assessment
Department of Planning and Environment
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124

The written submission must include:

• your name and address, at the top of the letter only (or in a separate cover letter if you want your personal details to be withheld from publication)
• the name of the application - Waterloo Estate (South)
• the planning proposal number - PP-2021-3265
• a statement on whether you support or object to the proposal
• the reasons why you support or object to the proposal
• a declaration of any reportable political donations made in the previous two years

Your submission must reach us by 11:59, 29 April 2022.

BY EMAIL

If you can access online then the preferred mechanism for making a submission is via the planning portal in option 1. If there is a problem with doing that submissions can be emailed to waterloo.project@dpie.nsw.gov.au noting the following requirements which are the same as for a submission sent by post:

It is mandatory for all formal submissions to include the following:

• your name and address, at the top of the letter only (or in a separate cover letter)
• if you want your personal details to be withheld from publication)
• the name of the application - Waterloo Estate (South)
• the planning proposal number - PP-2021-3265
• a statement on whether you support or object to the proposal
• the reasons why you support or object to the proposal
• a declaration of any reportable political donations made in the previous two years. 

Your submission must reach us before midnight, 29 April 2022.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON MAKING A SUBMISSION

More information can be found on the gave your say page on the NSW Planning Portal - https://pp.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/have-your-say

NON GOVERNMENT INFORMATION ON THE PLANNING PROPOSAL ISSUES

If you are looking for information from Community Organisations about the Planning Proposal for Waterloo South you can find information at:

• REDWatch under the Waterloo South Exhibition Tab
• Counterpoint – Waterloo Redevelopment Resources 2022
• Council Draft Submission - Attachment A - Revised Draft City of Sydney Submission - Public Exhibition - Waterloo Estate (South) Planning Proposal and Draft Waterloo Estate (South) Design Guide , item 8.2 PDF 2 MB

THE OFFICIAL PROPOSAL EXHIBITION SITES 

The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) Websites for the Consultation

The Waterloo South Consultation information is currently spread across three Department of Planning websites. They are:

• Planning for Local Communities - Waterloo South - This site has a brief overview of the plan including Features of the Plan covering Building locations and heights, Housing mix, Parks and open spaces, Trees and sunlight, Streets and traffic flow and Environmental factors. It also includes a time line and a “detailed map of Waterloo South” which is the simplified map.
• The Waterloo (South) have your say site - This site includes information on drop-in sessions, online information sessions and has an Interactive Map that allows drop a comment on some predetermined topics and a survey as well as a link to make a submission.
• The Planning Portal with the documents and where you can make an online submission - This site houses the consultation documents in a jumbled order (see REDWatch Guide to Waterloo South Study planning proposal documents for assistance). This is also where you go to make an online submission.

Waterloo Metro Quarter - A new village for Waterloo Seeking your feedback on plans for the Waterloo Metro Quarter. Artist’s impression of new public plaza (concept image only)

Community Information Session Wednesday 30th May 5-8pm or Saturday 2 June 11am-2pm At Redfern Town Hall 73 Pitt Street Redfern

The Metro Quarter will be integrated with the new Waterloo Station and will deliver new homes, shops, community health services and a new public plaza with an adjoining community building.

The new Sydney Metro Station at Waterloo provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make Waterloo one of the most connected and attractive inner-city places to live, work and visit.

The NSW Government is planning on delivering the benefits of the Metro Quarter ahead of the wider Waterloo Estate redevelopment. Plans for the adjoining Waterloo estate are currently being drafted and will be available for community input shortly.

Come along to an information session to find out more about plans for the Metro Quarter and an update from Sydney Metro. For more, visit: www.ugdc.nsw.gov.au/metroquarter

Aboriginal Housing Company Limited has submitted Environmental Assessments (EAs) for the above proposed project application and associated modification to the approved concept plan. The applications involve the demolition of existing improvements on the land and construction of a residential, commercial, retail, community and cultural facilities, public Open space, landscaping and car parking development.

The EAs may be viewed on the Department's website (http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au). The EAs will also be on exhibition from Thursday 19 January 2012 until Wednesday 29 February 2012 during regular business hours, at:

• Department of Planning & Infrastructure, Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney;
• City of Sydney Council, One Stop Shop, Level 2, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney; and 
• Redfern Neighbourhood Service Centre, 158 Redfern Street, Redfern.
  

If you wish to make a submission on the project, it must reach the Department by close of business on Wednesday 29 February 2012.
For further details on how to make a submission, please see below.

Persons lodging submissions are required to declare reportable political donations (including donations of $1000 or more) made in the previous two years. For more details, including a disclosure form, go to www.planning.nsw.gov.au/donations.

Under section 75H of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the Director-General is required to provide copies of submissions received during the exhibition period, or a report of the issues raised in those submissions, to the Proponent and other interested public authorities. It is Departmental policy to also place a copy of your submission on the Departments website. If you do not want your name to be made available to the Proponent, these authorities, or on the Department's website, please clearly state this in your submission.

Your contact officer for this proposal, Jane Flanagan, can be contacted on Phone: (02) 9228 6431; Fax: (02) 9228 6455; Email: jane.flanagan@planning.nsw.gov.au. Please mark all correspondence regarding the proposal to Ms Flanagan's attention.

Yours sincerely
Alan Bright
A/Director Metropolitan and Regional Projects South
Department of Planning & Infrastructure 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001 Phone 02 9228 6111 Fax 02 9228 6455 Website planning.nsw.gov.au

EXHIBITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS - Pemulwuy Mixed Use Development, Redfern

Application No:    MP06_0101 MOD 1 & MP11_0093
Location:              Eveleigh, Vine, Louis, Caroline and Lawson Streets, Redfern
Proponent:           Aboriginal Housing Company Limited
Council area:       City of Sydney

Description of proposal

1. Modification of the approved concept plan for a mixed use development of the site comprising: affordable and student housing units, commercial, retail, community and cultural facilities, public open space, landscaping and car parking, to permit:

• a higher total gross floor area (GFA);
• less retail/commercial community and cultural facilities GFA;
• more residential and public open space GFA and more car parking; and
• no community re-use of 1-11 Vine Street.

2. A Project Application for:

Demolition of existing improvements on the land and construction of the mixed use development in accordance with the concept plan, incorporating the proposed modifications. 

Exhibition

A copy of the Environmental Assessments (EAs) may be viewed on the Department of Planning & Infrastructure's website (http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au). The EAs will also be on exhibition from Thursday 19 January 2012 until Wednesday 29 February 2012 during regular business hours at:

• Department of Planning & Infrastructure, Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney; and
• City of Sydney Council, One Stop Shop, Level 2, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney; and 
• Redfern Neighbourhood Service Centre, 158 Redfern Street, Redfern. 

Submissions

Submissions on the applications must reach the Department by close of business on Wednesday 29 February 2012. Your submission should include:

• Your name and address;
• The name of the applications and the application numbers;
• A statement on whether you support or object to the project; and
• The reasons why you support or object to the project.

Your submission should be:

• Faxed to (02) 9228 6455;
• Posted to Major Projects Assessment, Department of Planning & Infrastructure, GPO Box 39, SYDNEY NSW 2001; or
• Emailed to plan_comment@planning.nsw.gov.au or via the entry for the project on the Department's website (http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au)

Persons lodging submissions are required to declare reportable political donations (including donations of $1000 or more) made in the previous two years. For more details, including a disclosure form, go to www. planning .nsw.gov.au/donations

Under section 75H of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the Director-General is required to provide copies of submissions received during the exhibition period, or a report of the issues raised in those submissions, to the Proponent and other interested public authorities. it is Departmental policy to also place a copy of your submission on the Department's website. If you do not want your name to be made available to the Proponent, these authorities, or on the Department's website, please clearly state this in your submission.

Enquiries: 1300 305 695 or information@planning.nsw.gov.au

Links to documents on the Department of Planning & Infrastructure from REDWatch

There are two exhibitions happening simultaneously so there are two EAs - Environmental Assessment _ Project Approval Application No 11_0093.pdf and Environmental Assessment Modification of Concept Plan Approval No 06_0101.pdf. All the supporting Appendices are the same for both exhibitions and can be found under Pemulwuy Mixed Use Development Concept Plan MP06_0101 MOD 1.

The Department's website also shows the documents submitted by the AHC on two occasions to obtain the Departments requirements for the exhibition (the Director General's Requirements (DGRs). The initial documents submitted are difficult to follow on the departments website as there is no indication of what is in each file. For a list of contents of each file in the 2010 application see REDWatch's Pemulwuy Project Modification Details Publicly Available.

The application documents also contains a copy of the approval to submit from landholders covered by the proposal including the City of Sydney Council, Aboriginal Medical Centre, Housing NSW, The Australian Securities and Investments Commission and previously the Department of Aboriginal Affairs NSW these can be found under Section 75W application form.pdf (952.9 KB).

All documents will be available at:

• Pemulwuy Mixed Used Development, Redfern
• Pemulwuy Mixed Use Development Concept Plan MP06_0101 MOD 1

at 157-163 Cleveland Street Redfern was also expected in January 2012. It is not a part of the Pemulwuy Project but is a separate development proposed by Urbabest in the same precinct so keep an eye out also for this exhibition.

Council officers currently are compiling a cross-disiplinary list of initiatives completed, underway or budgeted in each area as an initial frame for what is going on locally. Brochures that include these lists should be on the website mid-January.

The village plans themselves will come together over the coming four or five months with input/suggestions/vision from groups like REDWatch and others in the community about projects where communities would like support or facilitation, or ideas that form part of a longer term vision for the community, things that may have been missed etc.

The timing at this stage is that we will be compiling all the suggestions /proposals over January and February, community forums will be run in each area in March, and draft plans will go to Council around May (and be exhibited for community comment) .

You can find out about the new "Village Groups" and how to make a submission at www.2030inyourvillage.com.au. You can also make a submission by filling in this form. 

One of the first studies done on the new boundaries was the Redfern Street Village Centre study (PDF 445Kb)

Council has circulated the flyer below to encourage community involvement. Please note that the wording used below was incorrect and there are as yet no finalised 'preliminary plans' these as explained above are expected in mid January.

2030 in Your Village

The City of Sydney includes diverse villages and neighbourhoods, each known for their distinctive characteristics.

These villages and neighbourhoods are at the heart of our Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan. When developing the plan, we envisioned them as places where you can walk or ride a bike for most of the shops and services you need, take time out in a leafy park or enjoy a community event.

We invite you to be involved in planning the next stage of the future of your neighbourhood and village.

Our villages are as equally important for the culture and economy of our city as the CBD.

In 2005/2006, we developed Local Action Plans (LAP) in consultation with you to honour our City of Villages commitment. Most LAP projects are underway or complete, including new facilities, parks and street improvements.

We again consulted in 2007 to develop Sustainable Sydney 2030 – our long term vision to make Sydney environmentally, economically, socially
and culturally sustainable.

Many new residents and businesses have made Sydney their home since 2007. As the City develops new community-based projects we again invite
you to work with us.

We have prepared preliminary plans for discussion and comment.

They reflect our work so far and capture what we already know about your neighbourhood.

You can see them at www.2030inyourvillage.com.au and follow the prompts to have your say or send your feedback to City of Sydney Village Planning Team, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

Following your comment and feedback, we will prepare draft plans to discuss with you at a workshop in early 2012. After the workshops, we will
develop proposals for Council’s consideration and funding in future budgets.

Clover Moore MP Lord Mayor

Many of the 10 village groups the City of Sydney has identified share a major main street. Village groups will help Council manage how they work to provide services and fairly allocate funding. The Ten village Groups are:

• CBD & Harbour
• Chinatown & CBD South
• Crown & Baptist Streets
• Glebe Point Road
• Green Square & City South
• Harris Street
• King Street
• Macleay Street & Woolloomooloo
• Oxford Street
• Redfern Street

The City’s land includes Eveleigh Lane, part of Caroline Lane and 91-99 Eveleigh Street and 119-121 Eveleigh Street.

The City proposes to transfer this land to the Aboriginal Housing Company, to help provide housing and other facilities for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, for $20.

The transfer of land for a nominal sum reflects the City of Sydney’s support of the project.

The transfer of land to the Aboriginal Housing Company proposal will be on public exhibition 1 August to 5 September 2011 and can be viewed at:

• One Stop Shop - Town Hall House Level 2, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000. Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
• Redfern Community Centre - 29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern NSW 2016. Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm.
• Redfern Neighbourhood Centre - 158 Redfern Street, Redfern NSW 2016. Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 12 noon.

The proposal is also available online at: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/OnExhibition

Submissions should be made in writing and lodged by 5pm on Friday 5 September 2011, marked Transfer of Land in Redfern to the Aboriginal Housing Company, Reference: S072236.007 and addressed to:

Chief Executive Officer

City of Sydney,

GPO Box 1591, Sydney 2001

Attn: Samantha Urquhart

For more information please contact Samantha Urquhart, City of Sydney on 9265 9333 or email surquart@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Yours sincerely

Michael Leyland

Director, City Property