WATERLOO: In January the government invited public feedback on its proposal for the Waterloo Metro Quarter, a cluster of buildings planned above the future Waterloo metro station. Accompanied by a set of technical studies, the plan supported an indicative concept for 700 homes.
More than 100 individuals and 14 government agencies, housing advocates and community groups outlined their perspective on the rezoning plan. These now-public submissions offer invaluable insight into the suitability of the government’s proposal, as well as its reception by the community.
Residents and agencies agree on key issues
While not all responders objected to the plan, many agreed on a number of areas for improvement. Several submissions were critical of the separation of the Metro Quarter and Estate sites in the planning. They argued that it is not possible to assess the proposal without considering the cumulative impacts of both aspects of the redevelopment. Judging by the number of mentions, most important to people living in Waterloo was the issue of increased density in the area.
The second point most frequently raised by residents and echoed by a number of agencies including Shelter NSW, was disappointment in the allocated 10 per cent social and 5 to 10 per cent affordable housing. Submissions explained that the sale of public land should yield a greater social benefit and that affordable housing that is available for 10 years does not meet the state’s housing needs. Some also called for a special provision for Aboriginal housing.
A lack of public green space was highlighted by residents as of equal importance to housing allocations. One resident stated: “There is nowhere near enough public green space or infrastructure in the plan to counter the effect of this massive influx of sky-high buildings.” This was supported by the Office of Environment and Heritage’s (OEH) submission, which said that only paved, privately-owned areas are on offer.
On other matters of amenity and infrastructural access, Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) recommended that the planning framework should inscribe equal views and communal facilities for private and social residents. As far as educational facilities, the Department of Education stated that it is not planning a new school as Waterloo falls into the catchment of Alexandria Park Community School.
The Salvation Army supported the proposal and expressed interest in expanding its operations to provide a youth hub, accommodation, and community programs.
Six organisations, including the City of Sydney, SLHD, and Counterpoint Community Services, raised concern about the proposal’s lack of certainty around infrastructure provision. The SLHD, for example, urgently called for a health facility.
Fresh perspectives from government agencies
Other important elements cited in submissions were: a call for an assessment of noise and vibration from the metro; a need to mitigate pollution for apartments that will open to Botany Road; and greater clarity on how community facilities will be managed and accessed. The City suggested an increase in commercial space. Fire and Rescue NSW anticipate an improvement to safety systems in the new buildings. Relatedly, OEH considered flood risk, including the impacts of climate change, to be adequately addressed.
Before a final decision can be made, Sydney Metro is required to respond to the feedback. For a detailed summary of submissions head to innersydneyvoice.org.au and to read them in full go to planspolicies.planning.nsw.gov.au/.
Many matters raised about the Metro Quarter will be mirrored by the Estate across the road, so this response is worth considering in preparation for the Estate’s public exhibition in 2020.
_______________
If you’d like to talk about the Waterloo redevelopment, contact Adam Antonelli at Counterpoint on 9698 9569 or wrcd@counterpointcs.org.au, or Nina Serova at Inner Sydney Voice on 9004 2449 or cb@innersydneyvoice.org.au.
