Heritage-listed properties destroyed in Chippendale

Numerous heritage-listed backyards and structures have been unlawfully destroyed in Chippendale by construction company, Ceerose.

Staff from Chippendale Fresh Food Co-Op, situated on Kensington Street, were working in the backyards of heritage-houses owned by Fraser Property when bulldozers destroyed their equipment and grow beds last week.

Ceerose, the developer of an adjoining property on Goold Street, has without permission or prior notice demolished rear yards of the Frasers Kensington Street Cottages.

Chair of Chippendale Fresh Food Co-Op, Micaela Christie, said she was disgusted by what has happened.

“It is something that needs to be drawn to peoples’ attention,” she said.

“It is a community issue that this has happened to these buildings that have been quietly sitting here for years and years, falling into disrepair and neglect.”

In emails obtained by City News, Board member of the Co-op, Andy McIntyre, expressed his anger to Councillors Marcelle Hoff, Chris Harris and Clover Moore.

“There are no words to describe how disgusted we are about the wanton destruction of this unique and precious piece of Sydney’s history,” the email states.

“A significant number of established trees larger than five metres high have been destroyed. The rubble and other material have been piled up against the houses.”

Staff of the co-op said they understood the significance of the houses and were shocked when they discovered backyards were completely destroyed.

They also expressed concern about the possibility of contamination, saying that they have always been careful to not disturb soil because of the likelihood of contamination.

In the lead up to the incident, the co-op was informed by Frasers property manager, Haley Priest, that 18-20 Kensington Street was to be used by a third party and they were to remove their goods and equipment.

But Frasers have denied having a relationship with Ceerose, claiming they did not know they were going to bulldoze parts of historic buildings and reported the incident to Council.

According to staff from the co-op, Ceerose had approached Frasers to use their backyard for offices to manage their project on Goold Street.

But Ms Christie speculated whether they had come to a private arrangement and had failed to inform the co-op of what precisely was going on.

“As a long-term Chippendale resident, who has seen disgusting, what could be seen as criminal acts if it wasn’t being done by a developer, I would like to know what the dialogue (between Frasers and Ceerose) was,” said Ms Christie.

“I’d like to know why the developer thought he could act independently of legislation.”

In another email obtained by City News, Director of Frasers Property, Paul Barger, writes to another staff member of the co-op saying:

“Ceerose had previously been engaged in preliminary negotiations with Frasers to temporarily occupy parts of the Kensington Street yards, but nothing had been agreed or formalised.

“It goes without saying that there is no prospect of Ceerose entering Frasers properties in the future.

“Our efforts to contact Ceerose have not been successful.”

Council has closed down the site and has found numerous breaches while a compliance team is investigating further.

by Sophie Cousins