Controversial Oxford Street building project approved by NSW Government

By TILEAH DOBSON

The NSW government has approved the $38 million dollar controversial project planned for 194-214 Oxford Street, 2 Nelson Street, despite huge pushback from the Waverley Council and residents.

The 10-storey apartment proposal which neighbours a popular Bondi Junction park, was lodged by Westgate BJ Pty Ltd and was given the go-ahead by the NSW Government’s Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel last Thursday.

Residents began the fight against the project seven years ago, with the state government’s decision bringing the war to a close.

The core of the residents’ opposition to the project is the building’s 38.5m high, which would push it to almost 3m above the site’s limit. This would overshadow heritage buildings and block sunlight from reaching Centennial Park.

News of the state government’s approval of the project has left Waverley Council mayor, Paula Masselos “completely devastated.”

“We’ve been fighting this for many years and unfortunately, Waverley Council is unable to do anything more to stop this,” she told City Hub.

“It’s been to the Sydney Eastern Planning Panel. We’ve made representation to the department, to the minister. We’ve written lots of objections. We’ve had lots of protests. This is the biggest folly that has ever been approved.”

“And I am absolutely shattered that the state government has actually approved this against the expert advice of council. Against the expressed wishes of the community who now have to live with this.”

Community groups like Save Bondi Junction have also been part of the fight against the proposal since the very beginning, who are also furious with the news.

“There was so much opposition to it,” a spokesperson for Save Bondi Junction told City Hub.

“It will overshadow a corner of Centennial Park. It has no updated traffic study despite so much high rise being squeezed into Bondi over the past ten years. It ignores council development controls, despite the requirements for the park.”

“It’s a complete travesty.”

Masselos has stated that the council is not against development but is against “overdevelopment and inappropriate development.”

“It’s a big, bulky, tall set of towers which will be a blight on our skyline,” she said.

The mayor has expressed her gratitude to all those who supported and joined the fight against the project over the years.

“All I want to do is thank the residents who have fought alongside with us. It was a marathon and I am so sorry that it is such a disappointing outcome.”