Council’s laneway folly

City of Sydney Council has voted to transform a Darlinghurst laneway into a dining and retail area despite concerns from many residents.

While some broadly support the plans for Foley Street, they are also worried about which tenants will run businesses there.

Christine Byrne from the Hyde Park Community Voice says she hopes the refurbishment will not be at the expense of local businesses.

“I think the concept is really good but my main concern is that the anchor tenant is not someone like Coles or Woolworths.

“I would prefer to see more independent businesses as we don’t want be just like any other shopping mall,” she said.

The design includes space for restaurants, cafes, shops and a supermarket as well as new paving and lighting.

The President of the Darlinghurst Residents Action Group, Jo Holder, says she is worried the area will become full or bars and clubs like Oxford Street.

“I think it’s another ill-conceived folly because it might end up being another alcohol zone because every man and his dog is wanting to set up a wine bar.

“The Council comes up with these big spending projects because it likes to paint a pretty picture but it is living in an Alice in Wonderland fantasy world,” she says.

But Greens Councillor Chris Harris says: “We will approve who runs the businesses so if residents are worried about night clubs going or anything they will have a chance to write a submission to us.”

The President of the East Sydney Neighbourhood Association, Doug Purdie, says the Council needs to be more specific about which tenants it has in mind.

“I would hope it would be more about coffee shops than bars…it would be a lot more reassuring if they had an anchor,” he says.

The Vice President of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership, Andrew Duckmanton, says City of Sydney Council needs to work more with residents and business owners.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea but they haven’t consulted the community over its vision.

“They should be working with the community and asking what kind of businesses they would like in Foley Street,” he says.

Mr Duckmanton says it is unrealistic to expect large retail chains to stay out of the street but Ms Holder believes it would be a disaster.

“They’ve been trying to shove a supermarket there for about four years while ignoring the fact there is already an IGA and a Woolworths in the area which are both struggling.

“It beggars belief as a lot of the Council seem to live in a bubble…it’s a bizarre regime,” she says.