Heritage value maintained but residents still not happy

Residents and local businesses are outraged City of Sydney Council has ignored their concerns by approving the redevelopment of two buildings in the Woolloomooloo Conservation Area.

On Monday night Council approved the development of an apartment block and shopfront on Bourke Street under the condition that the 1921 warehouse façade, along with other aspects of the building, be retained.

The decision was a response to community fears that the heritage value of the building would be lost.

But some feel this isn’t enough.

“I think it’s great they’re keeping the façade,” said Bourke Street resident Glenn Lockitch.

“But nothing else was discussed.”

Mr Lockitch addressed Council last week and listed increased traffic, loss of privacy and pressure on parking as major concerns for
residents.

He spoke on behalf of the tenants in his building, none of whom were notified of the proposal.

“No one in my building, including myself, was consulted about this development at all,” said Mr Lockitch.

Council said the oversight was because the building had not been registered as a boarding house.

Mr Lockitch feels the process should be revised as a result of this and is concerned the buildings’ loss will “be detrimental to the heritage of the area and the local community”.

He has started a petition opposing the development with 15 signatures so far.

Amanda West, who works at Monstrosity Gallery on Bourke Street, has signed the petition and said: “The reason I am opposed to it is because there’s an artist studio there and it won’t be there anymore if they’re building apartments.

“Having a whole heap of four storey apartments in a heritage area goes against the neighbourhood and community feel.”

Peter McGregor, the architect for the development, has hit back at these claims.

“The feel of the area has always been changing and long after our building is built it will continue to change.

“I think [the development] will have a positive effect on the area…Woolloomooloo does need to change, it’s an urban design ghetto at the
moment.”

But Mr Lockitch fears the development will be “just like every other apartment block” and would cater for higher socio-economic groups,
forcing out long term residents of the area.

Mr Gregor disagreed and said the development wouldn’t make the area “like Paddington or Woollahra”.

He said the best suburbs had a mix of social housing and social types.

“That’s what we’re trying to do…we’re adding to the mix of Woolloomooloo and making it a more urbane suburb.”

But Mr Lockitch isn’t so sure this will happen.

“We need buildings that are there for community use,” he said.

“They’re just railroading the whole process.”

The developer was contacted but refused to comment on the matter.