Local couple Ben and Michelle Noblet also decided to take action. They created a tumblr website and they, together with neighbours, letterboxed the local streets. News spread fast and the “Save the Alex” campaign began to receive coverage in the mainstream media, notably the SMH and Channel 7.
Residents were stunned to discover that the hotel is not heritage listed, and that it has not been formally assessed for heritage status. “In the 16 years I’ve lived in the area I’d always assumed the hotel was heritage listed, it is such a historic pub,” said Ben Noblet.
Around 130 people risked missing the start of the State of Origin to attend the July meeting of the Alexandria Residents Action Group (ARAG), at which the future of the Alexandria Hotel was a major agenda item. As well as emphasising its heritage value, residents spoke of the long-term importance of the pub to the community, and its status as a family-friendly and dog-friendly hotel.
Mathew Hounsell from the pro-public transport group EcoTransit warned the ARAG meeting that the development, along with other nearby developments, would add to congestion and parking pressure in the area. Mr Hounsell also warned residents that on-street parking is likely to be lost if WestConnex proceeds and that the plans for Sydney Metro include a 50 per cent reduction in trains to Erskineville and St Peters stations, even though the closest proposed Metro stop is at Sydney University, and may be as far away as Waterloo.
The meeting passed a motion calling on Council to issue an Interim Heritage Order, the first step towards long-term protection for the hotel.
The meeting was attended by Jenny Leong, the Greens State Member for Newtown, and Irene Doutney, the Greens Councillor on the City of Sydney. Christine Forster, one of two Liberal councillors on the City of Sydney Council, and Ron Hoenig, Labor State Member for Heffron, were represented by their staff.
Ron Hoenig has since mailed local residents. His office has received over 180 objections to the DA, which will be handed to Council.
Christine Forster confirmed that her office has already seen 67 objections, “a large number, this will be only a fraction of the objections that have been submitted. Unless people CC us, objections only go to the planning department; the councillors don’t get to see them”.
Council will consider the matter, probably sometime in the next two months.
