Faith in mining? Look at us now! COMMENT – page 9 THE REVIEW – pages 11-14 NUMBER ONE HUNDRED AND NINE NOVEMBER ’12 CIRCULATION 22,000 ALEXANDRIA BEACONSFIELD CHIPPENDALE DARLINGTON ERSKINEVILLE EVELEIGH GLEBE KINGS CROSS NEWTOWN PADDINGTON REDFERN SURRY HILLS WATERLOO WOOLLOOMOOLOO ZETLAND Community demands better planning Colin shArp REDFERN: ON Tuesday October 23 a community meeting was held at the Redfern Town Hall on the state government’s proposed changes to the planning laws. The meeting was organised by the Better Planning Network (BPN), an affiliation of more than 70 community and environmental groups concerned about the proposals. Around 150 people attended the meeting and were addressed by local councillors and representatives of the BPN. All speakers were critical of the Green Paper, released as a “discussion” paper on the new reforms on July 14. In particular, it was felt the Green Paper constituted a “Developers’ Charter” and sought to limit community involvement in the planning process to the “strategic” stage only, in order to speed up the approval process. Fouad Deiri (left) and Archbishop Paul Saliba with Barry O’Farrell to open Deicota Tower Photo: Andrew Collis Concerns were also expressed about there not being enough time for community input between the Green Paper and the White Paper. The candidates for the upcoming Club Redfern a premier attraction by-election for the state seat of Sydney had also been invited to speak at the Andrew Collis Community representatives expressed the Aboriginal Housing Company, Roy stage and dance floor, and outdoor meeting and in particular to address pride and excitement at the prospect Wakelin-King, CEO of the Sydney Sydney terraces. “I found the club very inviting the question: “What is your view of the REDFERN: THE much-anticipated of a stylish and well-resourced new Metropolitan Development Authority, and modern,” said one member. “This Planning Green Paper, and, if elected, new Returned Servicemen’s League meeting place. and Fouad Deiri, Director of DeiCorp will give Souths on Chalmers a run how will you work to ensure planning (RSL) Club has opened at 157 Redfern Premier Barry O’Farrell opened the Construction. for its money. It’ll be great to have at powers are returned to the community?” Street (opposite Redfern Station). The official proceedings. He acknowledged His Eminence Metropolitan least two places to go. Let’s see who Three of the candidates accepted the establishment will be known simply the traditional owners of the land and the Archbishop Paul Saliba (Antiochian will put on the best entertainment and invitation to speak: Glenn Wall, Alex as Club Redfern, and occupy the good work of all involved on the project. Orthodox Church) spoke eloquently of value for money.” Club Redfern will Greenwich and Shayne Mallard. second floor of the Deicota Tower, a “Redfern is looking fantastic,” he said. Mr Deiri’s commitment to community continue to be a place of respect and Glenn Wall, an Independent, expressed 19-storey development which includes “I’m not often here in the daytime, but and offered a blessing on the building and honour for returned servicemen and his views that the Green Paper is pro- office space and retail as well as I’m very pleased to see so many signs of all who will live, work and gather there. women. The club was officially opened development and that the system it 84 apartments with five levels of innovation and vitality.” Members were invited to an exclusive on Thursday November 1. S proposes will be corrupt, so much so underground parking. Mary Lynne Pidcock of the Souths inspection of Club Redfern on Saturday that even the Independent Commission Business Chamber welcomed special October 27. The 1,500m2 space New members are very welcome. Against Corruption (ICAC) has concerns Thursday October 25 saw the official guests including Premier O’Farrell, comprises a bistro, two bars, a TAB Contact General Manager about it. He urged people not to vote opening of the DeiCorp development. Mick Mundine and Mark Spinks of room, two gaming rooms, functions, Anthony Macalpine on 02 9699 9928. Liberal and to let the Continued on page 2 NEWTOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE INC. PRESENTS 2 NEWS November 2012 PUBLISHER South Sydney Uniting Church Erko development key elements: Raglan Street, Waterloo Phone/fax 02 9319 1373 The views expressed in this newspaper are Ashmore ` 302 apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms those of the author and the article and are not necessarily the views of the Uniting Church. ` 16 terrace houses on the northern boundary NEWS Precinct update ` 4 apartment buildings up to 8 storeys in height [email protected] Phone Lyn 0400 008 338 ` 1 retail shop ADVERTISING [email protected] Erko project ` Pedestrian and cycleways linking to Erskineville village Phone/fax 02 9319 1373 and railway station MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 3288 approved ` 1 central community park and 1 pocket park Redfern NSW 2016 LETTERS Please send letters and emails to: The South Sydney Herald. KAte texilake residents is of central importance to Email: [email protected] the community. Supply sender name and suburb. ERSKINEVILLE: THE Central Sydney FOE was allocated three minutes Size: 150 words or less. We may edit for legal or other reasons. Planning Committee has granted to present at the Committee approval to Leighton Properties’ meeting, held on October 11. development application (DA) for The presentation raised FOE’s FOUNDING EDITOR its Erko residential project, the first concern that the DA contains Trevor Davies (25/5/1956—14/6/2011) development in the Ashmore Precinct. major variations from the version This go-ahead gives concept approval on which submissions have most for the entire site and for the design recently been made. It was noted and construction of stage 1 works. that the DA also contains many conditions that are to be met after Stage 1 works include construction the approval process and without of two 8-storey buildings, one building residents’ advice or consultation. that is part 3-storey and part 8-storey, Among these conditions is a Managing Editor FEATURES EDITOR car parking for 213 vehicles and 260 Transport Management Accessibility Andrew Collis Dorothy McRae-McMahon bicycle spaces, as well as associated Plan, in which FOE considers infrastructure, landscaping and public residents have a key stakeholding. domain works. FOE also voiced dissatisfaction The developers state that the 1.61- at seeing residents’ calls for a social ha site will deliver a high degree of impact assessment and for written design and public domain amenity to commitments from government both existing and new residents, but on transport and infrastructure NEWS EDITOR Assistant EDITOR not everyone is convinced. development ignored. Lyn Turnbull Esther Butcher Community group Friends of Committee member and former Erskineville (FOE), whose members Planning Minister Craig Knowles have run a sustained campaign to expressed concern residents had have the local community’s concerns not been adequately informed of heard, claims a lack of consultation the changes to the DA. He then and failure by the City of Sydney to moved a motion that Council address the issues it has raised. conduct a communication program Artist impression of the Erko development Image: Supplied FOE reiterates it is not opposed with all Erskineville residents ASSISTANT EDITOR Advertising Kate Williamson Louisa Dyce to development happening, but is to explain the changes, and in concerned to see that development particular to advise what is planned is sustainable and accompanied in the areas of public transport DISTRIBUTION by appropriate infrastructure. With infrastructure and childcare Pat Clarke Greenwich not so mean time [email protected] Erskineville’s public transport, water facilities. Geoff turnbull Glen Wall (2.2 per cent) and Fred Nile networks and childcare already The Lord Mayor Clover Moore DESIGNER Group Robyn Pebbles (1.9 per cent). straining under current demand, agreed to Mr Knowles’ motion Robert Young ALEX GREENWICH succeeded Clover Labor, which in 2011 got 11.3 per cent clear and adequate planning to before the Committee then voted PRINTER Moore as the member for the NSW seat of the first round vote, did not contest the support additional demand from new unanimously to approve the DA. S Spotpress PTY LTD of Sydney in a by-election on October by-election, making some comparisons 24-26 Lilian Fowler Place 27. Ms Moore was forced to resign difficult. Comparing 2012 with 2011 after Marrickville, NSW 2204 www.spotpress.com after she was re-elected Lord Mayor Labor was extinguished, Alex Greenwich of Sydney, when new legislation forced was up 3,422 votes over Ms Moore, Next Month her to choose between her two roles. the Greens were up 337 votes and the REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Alex Greenwich ran in an unwinnable Liberals were down 5,272 votes, all off the Next month’s SSH will feature a follow-up to the article “We gratefully acknowledge the many position on Ms Moore’s council ticket volunteer contributors and distributors lower turnout. ‘Addison Road Centre under threat’ which appeared in who make this publication possible.” and was anointed by Ms Moore for the Alex Greenwich was elected after the October issue of the SSH. Libby Hogan will report Adra Anthoney Barrie McMahon by-election. preferences ahead of the Liberals with Sandra Beeston Justine McNamara 63.7 per cent of the votes up from Clover on claims and counter-claims of bullying and corrupt Jack Butler Reece Meredith Formal votes were down by almost 20 Moore’s 53.1 per cent in 2012. It will be behaviour. Statements for the record may be emailed Joe Castley Christine Morrow per cent between the state election and the debated how much of the 10.6 per cent Liesa Clague Lucy Munro to [email protected]/.