New community centre planned for Darlinghurst

By Marcus Coombs

Resident and business groups have cautiously welcomed the City’s plan for a property it has purchased in Darlinghurst.

City of Sydney Council has recently acquired a new building on Bourke and Liverpool streets in Surry Hills which is earmarked to become a thriving childcare and community centre.

Council hopes to integrate it into pre-existing redevelopment plans it has for the Tabernacle and Albert Sloss Reserve, which are situated close by.

However fears about the council’s inertia in executing their plans are simmering amongst the local community.

In 2004, Council acquired the Burton street Tabernacle ostensibly for the purpose of creating more community space.

However, as reported by City News in March this year, the Tabernacle still remains in a state of disrepair. The council claims it has been undertaking essential repairs on the building but community members are not convinced.

“It is a wonderful idea to foster the development of community space in Darlinghurst, but this council needs to make good with its promises”, said Andrew Duckmanton, President of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership.

“The council needs to promptly put in place the infrastructure to assist economic development before viable business ideas are established in other cities, detracting from what should be a flourishing period for Sydney’s city .”

When questioned when refurbishment of the new Bourke street property would begin, a Council spokesperson said: “The building will be leased back to the Skin and Cancer Foundation for up to three years. Proposed uses for the site will be put to Council for approval before design and construction of the building can begin.”

Doug Purdie, President of the Eastern Sydney Neighbourhood Association was supportive of the council.

“The property acquisition can only be a good thing and would serve well to release some of the pressure on the overcrowded Francis Newton kindergarten which is in close proximity to the building”, he said.

“It would also help deter sex workers from operating in the area if community members were to frequent the premises, so I support the idea as long as we don’t get another Tabernacle debacle”.