News in brief

Redfern residents revolting

Residents in Redfern are up in arms over a development application (DA) for a site at 52-54 Pitt St, Redfern. The DA, currently before the City of Sydney Council, is for the conversion of a commercial office building into a residential building comprising 36 apartments.

Redfern Society convenor Ms Donna-May Bolinger said local residents were opposed on environmental and safety grounds.

“The residents are definitely revolting,” said Ms Bolinger. “This is a LULU development – it’s a local unwanted land use.”

Ms Bolinger said the site, which formerly housed a chemical factory, was unsafe for residential use and the redevelopment would compromise the area’s heritage value. A City of Sydney Council spokesperson said the City would consider local residents’ concerns.

“City staff are assessing this [DA] and all public submissions will be taken into account,” said the spokesperson.

Greenwich opposes rent-a-cop plan

State Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich has added his voice to community opposition against a proposal to pay ‘off duty’ police to shore up police numbers in Kings Cross. Mr Greenwich said he shared concerns by groups such as the Potts Point & Kings Cross Heritage Conservation Society that police impartiality could be eroded and corruption fostered.

“I do not support this approach,” said Mr Greenwich. “Policing is a state issue and I worry about setting a precedent whereby the private sector is expected to pay for an essential public service. If more police are needed, that should be addressed by more on-duty police rostered on in Kings Cross.”

The architects of the plan – the Potts Point Association and the Kings Cross Liquor Accord – did not respond to requests for comment.

Lansdowne Hotel fire charge

Police have charged a 23-year-old woman with damaging property by fire, and threatening to destroy/damage another person’s property, after a fire at iconic inner city pub The Lansdowne Hotel.

The woman, who was released on conditional bail, is accused of lighting the fire at the City Rd, Chippendale pub shortly before 8am on Friday, January 11.

Fire and Rescue NSW personnel successfully extinguished the fire, which damaged the third floor of the popular student hangout.

The woman will appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, February 6.