Image: Woods Bagot / Facebook
Proposed alterations to the Waterloo Metro Quarter would see a significant reduction in space allocated for community or office use, with the former to be dedicated wholly to a new childcare centre.
The ongoing $960 million state significant development is situated above the Waterloo metro station, which opened in 2024 as part of the extension to Sydenham. Recent changes form the third concept plan to be put forward for the precinct, and will see more residences built at the expense of space previously allocated for other purposes.
2,330 square metres is provided for community use in the proposal, down from 3,274 square metres in the already-approved plan. Residential space would be increased from 10,243 square metres to 23,845, whilst the allocation for offices would be reduced from 34,441 to 4,915. The allocation for retail space would be about the same, increased by 29 square metres to 1,415.
A 17-storey commercial tower was approved in 2021, though the consortium behind the project now wishes to build two residential buildings of 21 and 24 storeys instead, to a height which had previously been approved in 2019. Of 314 flats, 39 are to be designated as affordable.
Architecture firm Woods Bagot submitted that the proposal “draws its architectural language from the area’s rich industrial heritage and layered natural history,” evidenced in planned fine details and facades.
Local group says no reason given for reducing community provision
Geoffrey Turnbull is the spokesperson for REDWatch, a community group spanning the suburbs of Redfern, Eveleigh, Darlington and Waterloo.
He told the City Hub that “changes in demand for office space” have resulted in the new proposal with more residences, but which also seeks to cut space for community facilities whilst privileging childcare over other potential uses.
“The developer has given no reason for the decrease of 994 square metres of community facilities space or for only providing ‘community facility in the form of a childcare’ when their own Social Impact Assessment says the development ‘does not create sufficient demand for a new childcare facility’.”
“There are not-for-profit community services in the area that are paying commercial rents or are operating out of premises which are not fit for purpose, that could use this community facilities space.”
Assessment of community impacts labelled “inadequate”
Turnbull said that the “inadequate” Social Impact Assessment (SIA) “does not properly assess local community facilities and their needs.”
He added that it “uses an average for the surrounding area that includes some of the most well-off areas of the inner city with some of the least well off.”
“In doing so it avoids looking at the potential impact of the development on the adjoining public housing residents.”
REDWatch has called for a supplementary SIA to be submitted by the consortium, which includes Mirvac and John Holland.
The group “is further concerned that the development industry and development assessments are not taking SIAs seriously,” arguing that construction should nowhere be green-lighted “without proper social impact assessment and plans in place to address existing and expected social impacts.”
A spokesperson for Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that, although the New South Wales Government is assessing the changes, Moore “believes the Waterloo metro station development must deliver the minimum open space, tree canopy, amenity and community facility requirements to ensure it is a liveable and sustainable place for the community.”
The consortium was contacted by this masthead, but did not return comment in time for publication.
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