The architects, developers and sustainability experts exuded pride
and excitement as they presented their ideas to the large local crowd, and with
good reason. The proposed development aims to create Australia’s
first six-star (world leading) green precinct, with a bohemian “Melbourne laneway experience”,
abundant green areas, and zero net greenhouse emissions and water consumption
throughout the site. The dormant CUB industrial area will be revived to link
Broadway and Chippendale with a dynamic, sustainable neighbourhood of
residential and retail areas.
At first glance the future looks good, and the established process
of community consultation has the appearance of democracy working well. But the
underlying reality was not lost on the audience. With so much money to be made,
development is inevitable, and regardless of whether it is green, brown or
pink, it will change Chippendale and its surrounds forever.
The original development plans would have potentially tripled the
suburb’s population. The amended plans are even bigger, with the total
groundfloor area growing 10 per cent, from 235,000 to 257,000 square metres.
Community concerns on the night ranged from the increased height
of the proposed building on the corner of Broadway and Abercrombie streets, to
security, noise, poker machine use, increased traffic, parking availability, and
the strain on public transport infrastructure, much of which is already at bursting-point.
Towards the end of the night, having heard about the benefits the
development will bring to the community, and having seen artists’ sketches of the
plans, a Chippendale resident named Dave raised his hand and summed up local
sentiment with one question: Why does an elephant paint its toenails pink?
Answer: So it can hide in a strawberry patch. The proposals for
the CUB site are progressive and exciting. A manicured elephant comes included.
Source: South Sydney Herald August 2008