Letters

Depot declarations untrue
I’d like to clarify some comments in a letter last week from Mandy Geddes about Rosebery and a proposed depot. The claim that “Council allowed Hillsong Church to buy the old RTA building” is misinformed as local government has no involvement in what properties people buy – this is a private matter.
Lastly the letter claimed there would be a constant movement of garbage trucks 24/7. This is not the case.  Vehicle movements during the evening and outside of peak periods will use non-residential streets. Trucks collecting domestic waste will only operate from Monday to Friday, and will not leave before 5.30am. Four night time streetsweepers will leave at 10.00pm, Monday to Friday, returning once during the night before they finish at 6.00am. Domestic waste will not be taken or stored at the proposed depot.
The development application is currently being assessed by an independent external planner before a recommendation comes before the full Council.
Garry Harding, Director City Services, City of Sydney

Sydney Town Hall Square flop
The proposed Sydney Town Hall square is another compromise that will not satisfy its end-users, the public.  The proposed design creates an open, windswept plaza that is no more than a glossy, glass-box, train station entrance, somewhat similar in indicate concept to what we now suffer in Martin Place.  The artist’s impression indicates a sense of space but no sense of place. It lacks imaginative detail and fails to capture the three fundamental qualities of good open spaces: to entice the eye, to add meaning and to provide a sense of place. After all, there’s no point going there if there’s no ‘there’ there.
Any design must respect its heritage context, create unity, add variety and character, and provide high levels of propriety and finish. Instead, we’ll end up with nothing more than a glorified, grey-granite-paved, flag-poled, ad-plastered, transit link. Yawn.
Andrew Woodhouse, President Potts Point and King Cross Heritage Conservation Society

Boiling over Aquatic Centre facilities
The local community fought long and hard for the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre and we now find we are excluded from using the so called program pool which is so badly needed for therapeutic exercise for the aged and disabled.  We wanted a designated hydrotherapy pool but we got a badly designed program pool. You don’t need steps for access, only a ramp – both are provided and one end of the pool is so shallow its totally unsuitable to exercise in!  So much for a Harry Seidler designed aquatic centre – even the disabled toilets/changing rooms are badly designed: Loos too shallow, water drain in the middle of the room and no chairs are provided, only a precarious looking bench underneath the shower! Not to mention that the word “disabled” is not used anymore, but “Access” and the disabled have to share the changing facilities with families! By the way, my complaints to Council are met with the response “it meets Australian standards” – what a joke!
I am arthritic and need to exercise regularly in a warm water pool so I go under my own steam on Tuesdays to Cook & Phillip Park pool via taxi, again On Wednesday to RPA – via taxi – Friday I go via the Council’s bus for senior to C&PP again.  As a member of the Ultimo Senior Activities Club I have requested repeatedly for sessions to be provided at the ITAC.  You will see below my comments on the matter.
Regards
Debra Berryman

Cycleway inappropriate and unsafe
Surry Hills residents are against the Bourke Street cycleway because it is inappropriate and unsafe. Unsafe for cyclists; unsafe for pedestrians; unsafe for motorists; and unsafe for the environment. It’s inappropriate because of the amount of dedicated roadway it will take up in this part of the inner city, which is rapidly growing.
The answer to both the problems is overall traffic calming (reduced speed for all) and then shared roadway in the form of a cycle boulevard, proven overseas.  It’s not too late for the City of Sydney Council to change its plans, which will save ratepayer money and major long term inconvenience for all.
Don Beresford, Surry Hills