Although the initial concept plan was approved by Planning
Minister Frank Sartor, the owners,
Frasers, recently briefed a small group of community representatives about
their decision to reduce the massing of multiple high-rise towers along
Broadway and increase the amount of green space across the 5.7 hectare
precinct.
The revised proposal reveals a major change in the location
of buildings, in order to improve sun access and allow for extra green
parklands along the length of Wellington
and Balfour Streets. This will transfer much of the bulk onto the Broadway edge
of the site and eliminate one of the high-rise towers proposed for the
north-east section.
Greens Councillor Chris Harris,
who has been instrumental in lobbying for such changes, says that the original
plan approved by Minister Sartor was “irresponsible” because it did
not require the developer to address the obvious climate change impacts of the
development. He was also critical of Clover Moore’s
support for inappropriate development conditions.
“But to Frasers great credit they have responded by
introducing initiatives that will potentially create a six-star precinct,”
Cr Harris said. “We may end up with a development that is sustainable and
something that local residents can live with.”
These latest plans also show the inclusion of a
tri-generation system that will not only power the site, but provide hot and
chilled water for air conditioning and extensive water capture. An on-site
blackwater system will also treat and recycle sewage.
An expected reduction in roadways and vehicle access will
allow for the provision of more pedestrian and cycle ways.
And in a bid to reduce the amount of on-site parking,
incoming residents will be given the opportunity to ‘sell back’ their allocated
car parking spaces when no longer required.
“Although still in draft form, the revisions looked
exciting and address many key concerns,” the Combined Chippendale
Community Groups said in a statement following the briefing. “We were
pleased to see a revised street layout and changes to the massing and location
of buildings to reduce environmental and urban footprint, as well as improve
the site’s integration with historic Chippendale.”
While happy about these initial changes, active community
members like David Pocklington are
hoping there will be further debate about the inclusion of affordable housing
in the development. But Mr Pocklington understands that the State
Government-imposed ‘levy’ of approximately $30 million – earmarked for the
Redfern-Waterloo Authority – will prevent Frasers from making any significant
investment in affordable housing.
The City News understands that these plans may undergo
further revisions before they are lodged with the Department of Planning and
presented to the public.
Source:
The City News April 5 2008 www.alternativemediagroup.com