Can you help Build A Bridge #buildabridge

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Eveleigh Pedestrian & Cycling Bridge Campagin Update –

Help get to over 2000 signatures by signing the petition campaign for an active transport bridge across the tracks at Eveleigh before 13 May 2023. Click here to please sign.

This is a joint campaign of Friends of Erskineville, REDwatch and Alexandria Residents Action Group.

Did you know that in 2006 the State Government found the plans to build a bridge across the rail corridor connecting North & South Eveleigh, not only feasible on the location proposed, but promised to fund it and have it completed by 2008. They are now saying they can “find no suitable crossing site that is financially feasible or appropriate”. This is unacceptable.

The number of people living and working in around the Redfern to Erskenville is growing rapidly & we need an active transport corridor to connect both sides of the railway line divide.

The City of Sydney, Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, has agreed to table the petition at the next council meeting on 13 May 2024. The City of Sydney will have a motion at this meeting to support the campaign and advocate strongly to the State Government for it’s construction.

Please help reach a goal of over 2000 signatures before 13 May 2023 by signing the petition here.

Locals all know the rail corridor from Erskineville to Redfern is a divide through the area that means long travel distances between Carriageworks, Darlington and Sydney Uni on one side to Eveleigh, Alexandria and Waterloo on the other. When the Sydney Metro opens at Waterloo, students will face a 30 minute walk to Sydney Uni campus. This bridge could cut that by 10 minutes.

North and South Eveleigh connection

Potential site

Plans from April 2007

An example of a bridge that could bring our communities together.

News article from September 2006.

Each petition signature triggers an email to the NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen, so get clicking and make sure she gets the message loud and clear: build the bridge!

Friends of Erskineville, REDwatch and Alexandria Residents Action Group.

Grave concerns about the State Government’s proposed changes to planning laws

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While we applaud the State Government’s attempt to improve the much needed supply of housing, we believe that the approach they are using is ill conceived as it does not take into account the density of existing suburbs, but applies a one-size all approach that will lead to catastrophic outcomes for suburbs like Alexandria.

In addition, the proposal is based on shaky evidence provided by the NSW Productivity Commission about density. 

“Compared with other leading global cities, Sydney has low-density inner suburbs. Manhattan, the inner boroughs of London, and most districts of Paris are far denser than inner Sydney. Even inner areas of Melbourne and Brisbane have considerably higher population density than Sydney’s inner suburbs.” NSW Productivity Commission Building more homes where people want to live 2023

The density of inner Sydney is comparable to many international cities and does not have a low population density. Inner Sydney (inner 10km2 and 20km2) is denser than inner London, Melbourne, and Brisbane; and most leading global cities named by the Productivity Commission. This ‘evidence’ is misleading and not based on fact.

Please make a submission to the Department of Planning

We urge you to review the material and to provide your feedback to the Department of Planning by this Friday 23 February 2024 via their portal:

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/exhibition/explanation-intended-effect-changes-create-low-and-mid-rise-housing

Issues you can put in your submission

The ARAG Committee has reviewed the proposed changes and believes the main issues are as follows:

  • Alexandria is already a high density suburb – with 1,540 people per square kilometre.  Greater Sydney has 429 people per square kilometre so we are already 3.5 times denser!

  • It is inappropriate to propose blanket height and density increases across most of the Local Government Area without properly considering local conditions, amenity and heritage impacts, and the increased demand for infrastructure and services.

    We are already heavily impacted by the increased density of Green Square and what will be built near the Metro station at Waterloo as well as other developments that are already in progress (Mitchell Road, Ashmore Estate and proposed changes to Explorer Street public housing).

    Our schools are full and hospitals are already over capacity and this is before developments that are already in train (Waterloo housing, Green Square) are completed

  • The proposal does not take into account the fact that our roads are already choked with existing traffic caused by the number of current residents and the fact that our streets are a thoroughfare for cars, trucks and commercial vehicles coming from the South and travelling to the city and surrounding areas.

    The developments that are already in progress (Mitchell Road, Ashmore Estate and proposed changes to Explorer Street public housing) will have significant impact on the number of movements in and around Alexandria and add to the significant congestion in both peak and off peak periods.  The proposal will add further significant density which cannot be supported.

  • The proposals have been rushed without working with Local Government and without releasing the State’s new housing targets. This is policy on the run.

  • This proposal is on top of already proposed changes to provide 30% height and floor space bonuses for development that includes 15% Affordable Housing and it is only required to be Affordable Housing for 15 years.

    This means that where the government proposed 6 story height limit within 400m of transport would be increased to 7-8 storeys if affordable housing was proposed.  In addition, we believe that affordable housing should be locked in for ever – not just for 15 years.

  • The proposal mean the City will not be able to refuse an application on the basis of height and floor space if it meets those standards even if the negative impacts to the community are significant.

  • The proposed increases to height and floor space may conflict with Council policies including master planning and heritage provisions. These conflicts will lead to appeals and inevitably slow down housing developments.

  • The proposed changes to the Apartment Design Guide, which will lead to more apartments with less amenity, such as sunlight, privacy and landscaping.

Examples of what the changes could look like in practice

The City of Sydney has provided some mockups of what these changes could mean using examples in our LGA (but not Alexandria).


Example 1 – Erskineville – worst case scenario

Current
– Single storey dwellings
– Conservation area small lots
– Retain front room – build out the back on two adjoining sites


Proposed
– 3:1 and 6-8 stories
– overshadow neighbours
– separation + privacy
– compromises heritage values
– more cars, more bins, less trees
chaotic outcome

Example 2

Current:
– 2.5:1 base FSR
– used as commercial creative offices
– currently occupied
– not far from light rail station
– not heritage listed
– narrow footpaths
Proposed:
– 3:1 + affordable housing bonus + 0.9:1
– 6 or 8-9 storeys (AH) high (21m-34m)
– narrow street and footpaths with street bins (no basement pickup) and additional cars
– loss of solar access to neighbours
– few, if any, private trees

Example 3 – Surry Hills – corner Devonshire and Riley Streets

Current:
– 2.5:1 base FSR
– used as commercial offices
– currently empty and offered for rent
– adjacent to light rail station
– not heritage listed
Proposed:
– 3:1 (+ affordable housing bonus of 0.9)
– 6 or 8 storeys (AH) high (21m-28m)
– little to no overshadowing
– few, if any, private trees possible
– communal open space on roof top

EXPLORER STREET SOUTH EVELEIGH PUBLIC HOUSING REZONING PROPOSAL

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The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) has placed on public exhibition a proposal to rezone the Explorer Street South Eveleigh public housing. The Explorer Street is off Henderson Road, near Newton, Alexandria. There are currently 46 public housing townhouse on the site, along with South Sydney Rotary Park.

The planned re-zoning means the existing public housing units will be demolished and be replaced by 400 homes to be built on the site, with a mix of 30% social housing (120), 20% affordable housing (80) and 50% private dwellings.

Exhibition has been extended from 17 November to 1 December. Community feedback submissions are closed 1 December 2023

DPE Planning Exhibition Details – Click Here
View DPE Information Pack Click Here

Where to submit feedback. Close date 1 December 2023.
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/exhibition/explorer-street-rezoning-proposal

How to Respond to the proposal:
The following is a template with some considerations you may want to use in the response to the re-zoing application:

Explore Street SubmissionDownload


Further information:

REDWATCH http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/Explorer/231016redwes

FRIENDS OF ERSKINEVILLE: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/oppose-the-demolition-of-explorer-st-public-housing

September Update – What’s happening in Alexandria

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Woolies Metro Conversion, Fountain Street, Alexandria – Community Meeting – Wed 13 September, Alexandria Town Hall at 7pm.

ARAG is holding a community meeting with a Q&A on Wednesday, 13 September, 2023, 7pm at the Alexandria Town Hall, Garden Street, Alexandria. At this meeting hear from Justin Nolan, Director of Metro, Woolworths Group & Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore.

The rollout of Woolworths Metro to Fountain Street, Alexandria has gained over 1400 signatures to local resident Andrew Wong’s petition against the conversion, attracted media coverage by 2GB, SMH, Nine News. Local residents have also voiced their concerns over local social media pages with issues ranging from inflated prices, a dominance in the the area already with 3 Metros close by, increased use of products with plastic packaging. The proposed loss of a fully stocked supermarket within a walking distance area is forcing many to drive on already congested roads in search of cheaper prices.

ARAG is holding a special community meeting to hear from Justin Nolan, Director of Metro, Woolworths Group & Lord Mayor Clover Moore, City of Sydney.

Be part of a grassroots community for a real community consultation with Woolworths. Hear what their plans are and be there to ask face to face questions & raise any concerns you have.

FB event page: More details on the event & RSVP, click here
Petition: https://www.change.org/p/don-t-downgrade-woolworths-alexandria-to-a-metro

Media Coverage links:
2GB Interview with Vanessa Knight, AGAG
Click below for the news articles: 2GB, Sydney Morning Hearld, Nine News, Channel 7, 9news.com.au

Alexandria and Erskineville Traffic and Transport Study Community Forum

A public meeting is been held by Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore to discuss the outcomes of the Community Consultation about the City of Sydney’s Erskineville and Alexandria Traffic and Transport Study (“the study”) which closed on 30 June 2023.

City staff will present the results of their community consultation about the Study. There will be time to ask questions and provide further feedback.

When: Thursday, 21 September, 2023, 6pm-7pm
Where: Alexandria Town Hall, 73 Garden Street, Alexandria

City of Sydney Community Engagement Summary Report can be downloaded here:

For more details about the Traffic Study click here

Build A Bridge – North and South Eveleigh connection Campaign

Help our neighbours Friends of Erskineville, REDWatch along with ARAG in a joint campaign for an active transport bridge across the train tracks at Eveleigh.

Locally, we’re campaigning for an active transport bridge across the train tracks at Eveleigh to connect Waterloo Metro, Alexandria & South Eveleigh one one side to Carriageworks, North Eveleigh, Darlington & Sydney University.

With already 1200 signatures, help continue the momentum by signing the petition to Jo Haylen, Minister of Transport.

Build A Bridge petition Click here

Petition against Fountain Street Woolworths downgrading to a Metro Store, Alexandria

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One of our Alexandria residents has set up a petition to oppose the downgrading of the Fountain Street Woolworths supermarket to a Metro store. This means a loss of a larger stocked supermarket in the area & will be the 4th Metro store spread across Erskineville, Alexandria & Redfern.

There are already over 360 signatures in 2 days. Here’s the link below to sign for residents wishing to retain and improve the existing supermarket to service the Alexandria community and prevent paying higher prices in these times of inflation.

We understand that this transition is taking place in two weeks. Feel free to share this to spread the word.

https://www.change.org/p/don-t-downgrade-woolworths-alexandria-to-a-metro?redirect=false

August Meeting – Reducing Your Footprint

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Join us for our ARAG community meeting this Wednesday, 8 August 2023, at 7pm at Alexandria Town Hall, 73 Garden Street, Alexandria.

This meeting is the first in a series called “Reducing Your Footprint‘.

With the tv series ‘War On Waste‘ currently back on ABC this is good timing to explore how we as a community can make a difference. Come and hear our guest speakers on

  • The ‘Buy Nothing Project‘ representing Alexandria/Rosebery/Beaconsfield area
  • Using Social Media to recycle and reduce landfill.

We also have our Annual General Meeting which we will keep short.

New Committee members are welcome to nominate and join the fun.

Be informed & Take Action.

June Meeting – Electric Vehicles (EV) and EV Infrastructure

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Join us for our ARAG community meeting this Wednesday, 14 June 2023, at 7pm at Alexandria Town Hall, 73 Garden Street, Alexandria.

This meeting we will be about Electric Vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure, also covering some of the key issues regarding the Alexandria Erskineville Traffic Plan and presenting the results of the Alexandria Sunday Funday.

EV & EV Infrastructure

Andrew Hall, City Relations Manager from Jolt Australia is our invited speaker to talk us through EV charging in general and how enterprises like Jolt are working with local councils.

City Of Sydney – Proposed Improvements for traffic and transport in Alexandria and Erskineville

Click here for details and artist impressions of City of Sydney proposed improvements for traffic and transport in Alexandria and Erskineville

Community consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 30 June 2023. Have your say using the interactive map or email sydneyyoursay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Chris Standen, an Erskineville resident and has a PhD in transport planning from the University of Sydney, has developed and submitted a response to the Council’s study. He has provided ARAG with his response to be shared with Alexandria residents. Click below to view.

Chris Standen Submission letter to City Of SydneyDownload

Let’s Bridge our Communities & Help Campaign to #buildabridge

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Help us support our neighbours Friends of Erskineville and REDWatch to fight and campaign for the approval of an active transport bridge rail corridor from Carriageworks to South Eveleigh. Let us connect the great divide of residential, business & Sydney University communities of Darlington, Chippendale to the North & Erskineville, Redfern, Waterloo & Alexandria to the south of the rail tracks. It is a vital link of infrastructure that was proposed back in 2006 in the former Redfern Waterloo Authority plans with the Australian Technology Park & was due for completion in 2008.

To support this campaign #buildabridge and keep it alive and kicking, join the 1400 other signatures and sign the petition & send a new letter to the NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen.

Sign by clicking here
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/build-a-bridge

Friends of Erskineville understand that Lord Mayor Clover Moore is meeting with Minister Jo Haylen this week and they have requested that she raise the issue.

Let’s campaign to bring better connectivity back to our communities especially now more than ever with the proposed rezoning of the rail corridor of North Eveleigh prescient & the potential need to have continued connection to the proposed innovation hub between Central and Eveleigh known as Tech Central, Australia’s biggest technology hub.

For further reading:

https://southsydneyherald.com.au/no-bridging-credibility/

https://cityhubsydney.com.au/2022/09/build-a-bridge-community-wants-connectivity-at-massive-new-redfern-development/

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/push-to-bridge-the-divide-at-historic-eveleigh-rail-yards-20221221-p5c80r.html

https://redfernnews.com.au/local-groups-call-for-pedestrian-bridge-north-eveleigh-redevelopment

https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/residents-call-nsw-govt-build-bridge