Fitzroy Fig can rest in peace

by Michael Gormly
The large Fig tree which is the centrepiece of Fitzroy Gardens in Kings Cross will stay where it is, Lord Mayor Clover Moore has written to a resident.

Council’s favoured design option for the planned upgrade of the park had involved moving the tree to the far edge of the park and replacing it with a grassed square.

However the plan has proved unpopular with the local community with many wondering why an upgrade was necessary at all.

‘The draft design is based on the fig tree remaining in its current location, and City staff are reviewing paving options,’ wrote the Lord Mayor on 25 February.

Paving has been controversial in Kings Cross since a former Council in 2003 ignored the decision of a 300-strong public meeting. Residents voted against the proposed grey granite in favour of a more European style which reflected the early multicultural heritage of the Cross.

But design uniformity won the day and Kings Cross is now paved grey.

There are also concerns that the 12-month upgrade will threaten the viability of the two weekend markets which operate on the site. The City News asked Council whether any plans had been made to keep the markets up and running but no reply had been received by our press deadline.

While ‘broken and cracked pavers’ were the main rationale given for the Fitzroy Gardens upgrade, these have now been repaired. A low wall of convict-made terracotta bricks is a feature of the park and many locals think that should be the starting reference for any design changes.

Council planning staff told a consultation meeting that ‘all upgrades involve complete re-paving.’

Locals with an eye on heritage are also worried about Council plans to upgrade lower Forbes Street Woolloomooloo, pedestrian heart of the 1970s green-ban era housing commission estate running from Tom Uren Square to Woolloomooloo Bay.