Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to this workshop. I’d like firstly to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional custodians of this land.
I would also like to acknowledge Councillors here.
Today’s workshop follows on from our consultations with you last September.
As you know, the NSW Harness Racing Club – which owns the site – decided last July to sell it to consolidate resources for the harness racing industry on another site. The site is zoned as private open space.
The City is currently responsible for preparing planning controls for the site, and we see this as an opportunity to increase public open space that connects with Jubilee Park as well as new pedestrian and cycle networks and public uses for restored tram sheds.
There are also constraints. NSW Harness Racing wants money.
It has already been to the Minister to have the site rezoned and although the planning controls have been referred to the City to decide, I believe we are under notice.
The City would like to achieve a balance which would connect the site back into the surrounding area, provide publicly accessible open space, new sustainable housing including affordable rentals, and public uses for restored tram sheds.
Your comments and ideas from last year’s workshop have been used by our consultants as the basis for the draft urban design study which will be presented here today.
It is a work in progress, and is not endorsed by Council or the Central Sydney Planning Committee. After the presentations, your comments and feedback will tell our consultants whether they are on the right track and whether or not they should refine the draft or work on a different approach.
It includes options for new public open space which could include sporting facilities, wildlife habitats, community gardens and smaller areas for passive recreation.
It proposes a range of housing types and locations with some retail to extend local amenity and servicing.
As requested by councillors and the community it imposes limits on the scale and density of new buildings.
Andrew Thomas will speak briefly, then Helen Lochhead, our consultant on this project, will outline the draft study for you.
So once again, thank you for your time and interest and we look forward to your comments.
Related information: | Heritage | Open Space & Recreation | Planning & Development | Speeches |