The NSW Planning and Assessment Commision (PAC) have approved the proposed expansion of the Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre to the disappointment of the local Council.
The development plans include extending the existing building at Victoria Rd and constructing a new site on Edinburgh Rd with rooftop parking in Marrickville.
Concerns for local businesses and residents were voiced by many including the Greens Councillor Max Phillips.
“An expanded Marrickville Metro is not only bad for local residents and traffic, but will harm the economic health of our local shopping strips,” he said.
The final decision was not in the hands of the Council, but was made by the Minister for Planning.
The State government overuled the decision of the local council as a result of the controversial pro-developer part 3a development process.
“This decision is a legacy of Labor’s Part 3a planning law that stripped local communities of important planning decisions,” Max Phillips said.
“The Greens congratulate the excellent community campaign that did have an
impact by improving the expansion plans.”
The Mayor of Marrickville, Morris Hanna said local protests have resulted in a number of concessions being granted claims the Mayor of Marrickville’s Councillor Morris Hanna.
“While we are dissapointed with this decision, we note that the consent contains significant consessions.
We believe these are the direct result of Council and community lobbying,” he said.
With the Marrickville Chamber of Commerce we commisioned an independent report on the economic, traffic, and other associated impacts of the proposal, and we worked together with, and gave a $3000 grant to, the local action group Metro Watch.”
Member of Metro Watch, Anna Keohan said the community appreciates the PAC’s assessments of the effects of the centre on residents.
“The commissioners have addressed many of the concerns brought up at the recent public meeting, have incorporated some of the ideas put forward by Metro Watch to help resolve some of the issues, and have added more stringent controls to promote effective operational management of the centre,” she said.
The concessions include an effective trolley management system, litter management, restrictions on loading dock operating hours and traffic calming measures.
Ms Keohan said Metro Watch hopes there will be future opportunity for the community to engage in the ongoing design of the centre.
By Priyal Dadhania
