Darlington
residents want significant change to the design of the large proposed development
which straddles three city blocks and writes two city streets off the map
forever.
Rose
Street, Boundary Lane, deaf children facility The Shepherd Centre and residential
college Mandelbaum House on Abercrombie Street will all be demolished in the
move.
Also
to go are a community child care centre, the University’s large book Repository,
a computing centre, and a park on the corner of Abercrombie and Codrington Streets.
Angry
locals, who have formed an action group called RAIDD (Residents Acting In Defence
of Darlington), have issued a host of demands to the University after a fiery
public meeting in April failed to mollify the local community.
The
business school complex will accommodate a total population of 7000 students
and academics.
Residents
are most concerned a proposed driveway to provide basement access to the
complex of buildings has been placed next to Darlington Public School.
Placing
the vehicle entrance on Darlington lane would pose less danger to children and stop
cars being funneled down Golden Grove, Codrington and Abercrombie Streets where
they are most likely to affect locals.
RAIDD
also wants access to some dedicated park or courtyard space in the new complex
given the volume of public space that will be privatised in the re-development.
Given
the amount of public parking that will be lost if the development goes ahead residents
also want to see more parking provided in the complex’s basement.
Also
in the group’s sights is the seven storey ‘central pillar’ of the complex, and
the development’s frontage on Abercrombie Street which will be five stories
high. Residents want both reduced.
Locals
also want assurances they will be able to walk through the complex 24/7.
Residents
suburb-wide are increasingly nervous about the University’s plans given the current
proposal to double the size of the Sports and Aquatic Centre on Codrington St
and the University’s interest in the North Eveleigh site on Wilson Street.
Local
resident and RAIDD member, Colin Sharp, says for decades the University has
been gradually demolishing the suburb of Darlington, and he worries how much
longer it will exist.
“The
University has just acted like a bully through this whole process, you get the feeling
they’ve only had public meetings to tick the ‘community consultation box’ in
the development application,” he said.
“My
son attends Darlington Public School and many parents are really worried about
the impact years of excavation and building noise will have on students’ learning.”
The
University’s plans for the ‘Abercrombie Precinct’ went on display on May 25 on the
NSW Government’s Planning and Infrastructure website.
Residents
can view the plans, by visiting the site (www.planning.nsw.gov.au/)
and clicking on the ‘On Exhibition’ page [Direct Link – http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=2145
Objections
can be lodged until June 25.
To
contact RAIDD email RAIDD2008@gmail.com.