Council adviser conflicted over Hillsong bid

BY PATRICK BILLINGS

The same architectural firm that handled the Hillsong Church’s failed bid for the old RTA site in Rosebery has been advising council on height restrictions at Green Square.

Architectus director Michael Harrison was employed by the City of Sydney to work on several projects, including the old South Sydney Hospital in Green Square.

It was revealed at a public meeting last week that Hillsong wants to purchase the former South Sydney Hospital site.

Greens councillor Chris Harris believes Mr Harrison’s work as a council adviser and his company’s relationship with Hillsong is not an ideal combination.

‘I think Michael Harrison does have a conflict of interest,’ Cr Harris said. ‘I don’t know how it is going to be handled, but I think it is a bit of a problem. He is in a very important position within the council, strategically.’

Council has proposed several planning changes, based on the Architectus report, which recommends increasing the height restrictions on various Green Park buildings from the current 12-metre height limit to 22 metres.

Graeme Grace, from Rosebery Residents Action Group, believes Hillsong’s original proposal would be approved under the new planning controls.

“We are very concerned about the proposed height and size limits because Hillsong could actually put in a larger proposal than last time and be within the rules,” he said.

RRAG led a vocal opposition against Hillsong’s initial 2700-seat development based on its size and operating hours.

Mr Grace said a conflict of interest exists between Architectus supplying services to both Hillsong and the City of Sydney.

“Any proposals coming from consultants should have no appearance of having a link to any of the developments that are going to benefit from changes to the zoning laws,” he says.

At a community forum last Wednesday Lord Mayor Clover Moore admitted that Hillsong had approached council, but she refused to comment further.

A City of Sydney spokesperson confirmed the council held preliminary meetings with church officials.

Both Architectus and Hillsong were unavailable for comment.