Harold Park development nears finish line

Final plans for the Harold Park development are nearing completion, with the release of City of Sydney Council’s latest proposal for the site.

The proposal suggests the construction of 1,200 apartments, with 3.9 hectares (35 per cent) devoted to open space for public use.

At least 50 apartments will be allocated for affordable housing, and the tram sheds will be restored and converted for retail and community use.

Council will vote on the proposal at their July meeting.

The site’s current owners, the NSW Harness Racing Club, want greater building density.

Club Chief Executive John Dumesny said Council had left the door open for modifications.

“We’re not that far apart, it’s just that the amount of open space appears to be excessive when you consider that it’s sitting right on the edge of 14.3 hectares of open space that is relatively unused,” he said.

“If you have a little bit more area available for building, you could make those buildings slightly bigger.”

Greens Councillor Chris Harris said the height of the seven- and eight-storey buildings is excessive, and described the proposed car parking plans as “out of control”.

“They’re allowing for just under 1,100 cars for the residents. There’s another 400 cars for visitors and the commercial/retail area,” he said.

“The City of Sydney shouldn’t be contemplating that sort of parking allowance for a thing that’s right next to a light rail station, is serviced by buses and is a walk from Parramatta Road.

“We should be targeting the market of people who don’t want to have a car,” he said.

Council CEO Monica Barone said any development needed to balance housing development with community benefit.

“There’s a state metropolitan strategy and every local government has a responsibility to achieve so many houses,” she said.

“If you don’t do this well, people start to resort to doing really bad planning things, like dual lots and all sorts of stuff, and in these heritage suburbs it’s really important that we put housing in the right place.”

Residents group The Glebe Society said it was pleased with the amount of open space, but expressed fears the new cars and retail may have a negative impact on traffic and local businesses.