Council approves controversial Fitzroy Gardens upgrade

The City of Sydney Council has voted to support an upgrade and expansion of the children’s playground at the historic Fitzroy Gardens in Kings Cross.

While some had reservations, all ten councillors ultimately voted in favour of a tender for the project which will see new playground equipment installed, and the playground expand from its current 130 square metres to 317.5 square metres.

Local residents and councillors spoke out for and against the upgrade during 55 minutes of heated debate at Town Hall on Monday afternoon.

Opponents said the playground upgrade would compromise Fitzroy Gardens’ heritage value and criticised it for encroaching on the rest of the gardens, which provide open space in one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most densely populated neighbourhoods.

But supporters said the upgrade was long overdue, with the local population increasing and more families with young children settling in the area.

Opponents were particularly upset that the tender exceeded the agreed playground size of 265 square metres, approved by Council in November last year.

Paul Wagner, Co-Convenor of the Friends of Fitzroy Gardens group, accused the City of not following due process.

“We’re most disappointed that the resolution of November 2012 was not adhered to,” said Mr Wagner.

“We’re not against the playground upgrade itself but we’re very disappointed that Council is not honouring its commitment of 265 square metres.”

Mr Wagner said the group was also upset that no commitment had been given to retain a mosaic which may be destroyed during the upgrade.

Andrew Woodhouse, President of the Potts Point & Kings Cross Heritage Conservation Society, said the machinations reflected badly on the City.

“The three c’s of planning – certainty, clarity and cogency – must be followed at all times. They weren’t in this case,” he said.

Mr Woodhouse also strongly encouraged the City to find a way to preserve the mosaic, which was created by artist Steven Vella in 1997. The mosaic is part of a triptych, with the other two works located at the nearby Rex Centre.

A City of Sydney spokesperson said the Rex Centre artworks would be retained, while the City was “investigating” how the third mosaic might be saved.

The spokesperson defended the City’s failure to adhere to 265 square metres, saying the additional 52.5 square metres had been added for “legally required fall zones and setbacks around play equipment”.

“When completed, the upgraded playground will make up just 6.3 per cent of Fitzroy Gardens, with all new equipment located in the lower terrace area that was constructed in the 1990s,” said the spokesperson.

“The existing small playground does not adequately meet the local community’s needs. The upgrade … has the support of many local residents and businesses.”

Local parent Bill Springett-Kelly agreed. “The current playground is pretty tired and in dire need of a refresh,” said the father of two young children.

“The City of Sydney has gone to a massive effort to engage locally and I’m really saddened that there can be so much objection to a small upgrade to one of the area’s very few playgrounds.”

Adrian Bartels, President of the Potts Point Partnership, welcomed the upgrade but expressed reservations about due process on the City’s part.

Living Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas articulated similar concerns, while Labor Councillor Linda Scott added her voice to calls to preserve the mosaic.