Inner city environmentalist-activist, Matthew
Drake-Brockman, argues the $2 billion development is not environmentally
sustainable. It is the same argument used by Peter Gray who challenged the
approval of the Anvil Hill coalmine near Muswellbrook. Matthew Drake-Brockman
told the Daily Telegraph: “I have watched with dismay as the State Government
took over the CUB project. I believe that the State Government will not act to
protect Sydney
from climate change, it will not use water sustainability and it gives priority
to large developers at the expense of existing and future generation.”
After this Chippendale declared war. Posters appeared on
every telegraph pole in the area, inviting people to a meeting and, with 3 days
notice, 90 people turned up at the Chippendale
Peace Park
on Thursday March 15.
Greens Councillor and candidate for the state seat of
Sydney, Chris Harris, co- chaired the meeting to garner support for Matthew
Drake Brockman’s legal challenge. The organizers had invited a couple of
speakers to address the meeting about how to fight the State Government. There
was a Councillor from Leichardt who had helped save Callan Park
and Joe Holder who was part of the Coalition against the Cross City Tunnel.
After this, Councillor Chris Harris told the meeting, “The Minister
had an opportunity to require that CUB deliver a project that would be a model
for sustainable development. Instead, he decided on a ‘business as usual’
approach. This flies in the face of the Government’s commitment to address
climate change.”
The Sydney City Council lost planning control of the $2
billion development after Mr Sartor seized control of the project last June.
Chris Harris was anxious to point out that what Frank Sartor had approved was
not much different to what the Council had agreed on. He told the South Sydney
Herald that there was about a 5 % difference in the floor space ratio for the
same number of cars. The council allowed 100 metres and the State Government
120 metres.
One resident, who didn’t want to be named, said that if the
approved plans add more than 8,000 residents and workers to Chippendale, with
towers up to 40 storeys high, then this development is just too big. “It’s like
trying to pour a Schooner into a Midi!”
Other residents agree. Lindsay Charles, long time Chippendale
resident, told the Herald that neither the present proposal nor the earlier
City Council’s proposal for the $2 billion development CUB site is
environmentally sustainable. He claimed that residents would have taken legal
action against either proposal.
Former Deputy Mayor, John McInerney, told the South Sydney
Herald that Councillor Harris was wrong. “The City had been about to publicly
exhibit new planning controls when the State Government intervened. The Concept
Plan has resulted in denser, less sustainable development than envisaged by the
City’s draft controls – draft controls that were still to undergo community
input and an open and transparent process.
The Minister has approved the redevelopment with an
increased floor space of 4.18:1, where the City proposed a range between 3.5:1
and 4:1, with the maximum contingent on design excellence and community benefit.
No protection of three significant heritage buildings that the City proposed to
protect (buildings 32, 35A and 35B). This destroys the proposed ‘special area’
centred on the Irving Street Brewery complex and enables destruction of the
‘sunburst’ building.
Provision for seven buildings over 60m in height, two over
90m and one at almost 120m contrast the City’s envisaged two buildings between
70 and 100m. The significant public domain areas of Brewery Square and Tooth Avenue will be heavily overshadowed
and vulnerable to strong winds.” SSH
For more information from Chippendale Residents contact them
at communityworkingparty@yahoo.com.au
Source: South Sydney Herald April 2007 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au