Our major efforts during 2009/10 have been directed towards the Save Union Square issue and the future of the Bays Precinct, working with other local groups, and we continue to seek improved social amenities for Pyrmont, and better public transport.
Bays Precinct Task Force CRG
PA Secretary, John Brooks, has worked tirelessly all year, as the appointed representative of Blackwattle Cove Coalition (BCC) on the Bays Precinct CRG to achieve good integrated planning outcomes for our Inner West Bays. After a delay of several months, I was appointed to represent the Pyrmont community along with Robert Gavagna (PPI). Following a number of workshops, in addition to the regular CRG meetings, a report was produced which outlined the planning principles and objectives which should apply to the Bays development, as well as four strong recommendations, summarised as:
1. No new development proposals to be consider unless they comply with the Planning Principles
2. The Government to approve the broad Objectives and Principles as developed by the CRG;
3. The Government to establish a dedicated authority to coordinate and manage the Bays Precent, with community representation and relevant expertise;
4. The Government to maintain its commitment to community participation in the Bays Precinct Planning Process into Stage 2
Unfortunately, during the deliberations of the CRG, a number of piecemeal planning announcements were made by the Government which undermined the first Objective which seeks Integrated Future Planning and no further ad hoc Government decisions. These were:
a) Baileys Marine development at White Bay Wharf 6 (opposite Pirrama Park)
b) Relocation of the Cruise Passenger Terminal to White Bay Wharves 4 and 5
c) Blackwattle Bay redevelopment (along Pyrmont Bridge Road)
d) Sydney Heritage Fleet to be relocated to Bank Street Public Recreation Area
noting that the proposed developments (b) and (c) both contravene the respective Master Plans for the sites.
A successful community forum was held on 7 July, 2010 organised by John Brooks and Lesley Lynch (Glebe Society) attended by around 150 people from the local communities. The meeting passed a resolution supporting the recommendations of the CRG.
Bank Street – PA members have worked with representatives of other groups, and local stratas to reach agreement on the future of the Bank Street Public Recreation Area. Bill dÁnthes has represented PA in these discussions and I represented the Executive Committee of the Strata of 2 Bowman Street. All groups strongly support the location of the proposed Sydney Community Water Sports Centre at 1 Bank Street. 2 Bowman Street EC opposes the location of the Sydney Heritage Fleet on the NSW Maritime site but the other representatives are not opposing it as they see it as the only way NSW Maritime will agree to allocating part of this site as a public park. NSW Maritime has signed a Terms Sheet with the SHF which sets out the parameters under which the organisation will receive a 40 year lease for the land. The term sheet also supports the SHF taking over a large area of water which leaves little for the WSC and this water allocation is opposed by community groups, the Glebe rowing clubs and the proponents of the WSC. NSW Maritime has yet to finalise agreement with the WSC representatives and community groups, including PA are urging both parties to finalise negotiations. In the meantime, NSW Maritime has given parties currently occupying the site notice to quit, but on the understanding that the passive boating users will be able to come to an agreement on arrangements for their continued use of the site. The illegal commercial activities will cease and it is proposed by the community groups that planning commence for the implementation of the park development.
Wentworth Park/Sydney Fish Markets – 2010 has been a very successful year for the community with the commencement of work on the removal of the walls along Wattle Street, the opening up of the viaduct archways, and the landscaping of additional parkland handed over by the Wentworth Park Sporting Complex Trust to the City of Sydney. In addition, the WPSCT and the CoS have agreed to allocate further funds in order to open up the northern boundary of the complex to integrate it with the northern end of Wentworth Park. BCC will now focus efforts on achieving a better outcome for Sites B1 and B2 along Pyrmont Bridge Road, and improved access to Wentworth Park from Pyrmont and Ultimo.
We (BCC) have had another win with the announcement that the NSW Government has committed $20M towards the Fish Markets redevelopment, in particular to open up the foreshore to public access, provision of public open space, and repair of the damaged seawall.
Save Union Square
PA members worked with the Save Union Square group to oppose the location of the eastern Metro station entrance at Union Square. This took up considerable time and ultimately our efforts contributed to the decision by the NSW Government to cancel the Sydney Metro project.
Parks
PA has continued to press for the enclosure of the children’s playground and for containment of off-leash dogs to areas not associated with food (BBQs) and children. CoS is now calling for the community’s views on off-leash dogs in Waterfront Park, Refinery Park, Cadi Park, Pirrama Park, Gibba Park, Ballarat Park and Metcalfe Park. PA to determine its position at the General Meeting.
Cultural/Social Infrastructure
PA made a strong submission on Sustainable Sydney 2030 published by the City of Sydney. The main points raised were:
Pyrmont should have Village status in its own right and its needs for better infrastructure recognised;
Rejection of the proposal for an Activity Hub for Pyrmont/Ultimo focused on the forecourt of the Powerhouse Museum;
Three projects should be considered for the next Local Action Plan which is due in 2011
- Upgrading of Pyrmont Community Centre and its transformation to a Neighbourhood Centre
- Development of Bank Street Foreshore Park in partnership with the community
- Redevelopment of the Fig/Wattle Street Council Depot site as mixed commercial/community facilities
After a long delay and initial unsatisfactory response from Council, we received a brief reply which appeared to indicate that the City was prepared to look at Pyrmont as a Village Centre separate from Ultimo. There was no confirmation that Local Action Plans would be under development in 2011.
In the meantime, a number of PA members and others have attended workshops and meetings with CoS officers to discuss how the Pyrmont Community Centre can better serve our needs. There have been some positive outcomes, including making a suitable room available for rehearsals of Pyrmont Sings!, and the provision of Over-55s Exercize Classes. PA has submitted a request for an appropriate meeting room for 2011 in the PCC but has not received a response. We have had to use the Maybanke Centre for meetings during the year but this is not a satisfactory venue.
Traffic and Transport
The main push this year has been for a more appropriate approach to the proposed Bulwara Road cycleway. PA was represented at an on-site meeting with Council officers to discuss provision of a shared zone, rather than a 1.5M contra-flow cycleway which would have obstructed pedestrians forced on to the road because of the narrow footpath on the E side of the road. We were able to demonstrate successfully the problems associated with the Council proposal and are advised that the RTA has agreed to a shared zone approach.
A temporary barrier has been placed at the bottom of the Anzac Bridge off-ramp to provide safety for residents (pedestrian and those in cars) from 120-122 Saunders Street. We are advised that a permanent solution is being considered. In the meantime, the local police have had periodic blitzes in the area to try to slow down speeding cyclists.
Safety and Security
PA initiated a meeting with senior police from City Central Local Area Command, attended by representatives from other community groups, and Jacksons Landing Community Association and its Resident Services Manager. Quarterly meetings of the Pyrmont/Ultimo City Central Safety Precinct Community Group have now been initiated at which community concerns are raised, and police initiatives, eg deployment of more cycle police, are reported. Crime statistics over the quarters are presented and crime hot spots identified.
1 Distillery Drive
Following the successful community consultation with Lend Lease, a revised plan for this development was prepared which met the Master Plan, and community concerns. A number of residents attended the Council meeting at which this development was discussed and managed to ensure that the inappropriate conditions proposed by Council, pertaining to the urban bushland design were not approved. Following further geotechnical studies, it is hoped that some mature trees may now be saved. Work is expected to start in August.
Banners DA
In 2009, community groups were advised that DAs were required in order to put up banners advertising community events such as Clean Up Australia, UpTown Festival, Wentworth Park Community Games, Anzac Day ceremony, and Union Square Carols. PA, as an incorporated entity submitted a DA on behalf of the other groups for approval to erect banners for these events. In order to pay for the costs associated with this, the City provided PA with a Quick Response Grant. The DA was finally approved on condition that PA re-apply on an annual basis. The re-application, and payment, has been submitted, with a request that approval be given for a five year period, subject to satisfactory compliance with the conditions imposed by Council.
Publicity and Fundraising
PA again participated in the UPTown Festival in March and Second Hand Saturday in September, both organised by the Harris Community Centre. We raised around $50 from the sale of goods, and raised awareness of various issues of concern. We shared booths with Pyrmont Ultimo Landcare and Ultimo Village Voice on both occasions. We have implemented the logo and letterhead concepts designed by UTS students and are now working with website developers whose services have been generously donated by local dentists, Dentartisan. We hope the website will be up and running in 2011.
Elizabeth Elenius
Convenor
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