Erko development key elements:
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Stage 1 works include construction of two 8-storey buildings, one building that is part 3- storey and part 8-storey, car parking for 213 vehicles and 260 bicycle spaces, as well as associated infrastructure, landscaping and public domain works.
The developers state that the 1.61-ha site will deliver a high degree of design and public domain amenity to both existing and new residents, but not everyone is convinced.
Community group Friends of Erskineville (FOE), whose members have run a sustained campaign to have the local community’s concerns heard, claims a lack of consultation and failure by the City of Sydney to address the issues it has raised.
FOE reiterates it is not opposed to development happening, but is concerned to see that development is sustainable and accompanied by appropriate infrastructure. With Erskineville’s public transport, water networks and childcare already straining under current demand, clear and adequate planning to support additional demand from new residents is of central importance to the community.
FOE was allocated three minutes to present at the Committee meeting, held on October 11. The presentation raised FOE’s concern that the DA contains major variations from the version on which submissions have most recently been made. It was noted that the DA also contains many conditions that are to be met after the approval process and without residents’ advice or consultation. Among these conditions is a Transport Management Accessibility Plan, in which FOE considers residents have a key stakeholding.
FOE also voiced dissatisfaction at seeing residents’ calls for a social impact assessment and for written commitments from government on transport and infrastructure development ignored.
Committee member and former Planning Minister Craig Knowles expressed concern residents had not been adequately informed of the changes to the DA. He then moved a motion that Council conduct a communication program with all Erskineville residents to explain the changes, and in particular to advise what is planned in the areas of public transport infrastructure and childcare facilities.
The Lord Mayor Clover Moore agreed to Mr Knowles’ motion before the Committee then voted unanimously to approve the DA.
