Pyrmont people power mounts against Metro plans

A coalition of community groups is mounting a campaign against the NSW Government’s plan to demolish four heritage-listed buildings in Pyrmont as part of its $5.3 billion promise to build a rail line from Central to Rozelle.
The Sydney Metro authority plans to acquire numbers 3 to 9 Union Street, Pyrmont, for the construction of an underground station, aiming to start work next year.
“We’re very concerned about the demolition of the buildings because they are a part of the heart of Pyrmont, and they will destroy the whole 19th century ambiance of our village centre,” said Pyrmont Community Group President Jean Stuart.
“Our Council and the State Government will be judged on how they deal with and value our heritage and its culture.”
As well as Pyrmont Community Group, Pyrmont Progress, Pyrmont Action and the local chamber of commerce will rally at Union Square on July 4 to press the Government to search for an alternate site.
On June 3 Sydney Metro announced that due to overwhelming community feedback, Union Square would not be touched, instead targeting the adjacent row of sandstone terraces, where three businesses are located.
A Sydney Metro spokesperson said the finished site will include station entry points and a new structure “designed to compliment the heritage nature of other buildings in Union Square.”
So far, Sydney City Councillors John McInerney and Irene Doutney have pledged their support for the residents but a City spokesperson refused to comment specifically on Union Street.
“We are working closely with Metro to minimise the impacts around all station sites and explore other opportunities the Metro may create to improve public amenity.
“We are also investigating improvements to pedestrian access beyond the station that may fit in with the Metro,” said the spokesperson.
Cr Doutney said that supporting the Transport Minister David Campbell would allow the City to carry out its vision of a pedestrianised George Street with greater ease, including acquiring the buildings opposite Sydney Town Hall for demolition.
The NSW National Trust have said only that they are “watching the development” of the Metro authority’s plans for Pyrmont but expressed great concern for a heritage-listed building in Elizabeth Street in Sydney’s CBD.
Residents are adamant the station should be merged with the annexation of the Star City Casino, and the section of Union Street between Pyrmont and Edward Streets should be closed off instead.
But the Metro spokesperson said it was impractical to consider Star City’s site for a number of reasons, including “constructability”, and the timing of the Casino’s project in relation to the Metro. The spokesperson also said that major power cables running beneath Union Street at the suggested intervals made it unsuitable for construction.
The Sydney Metro will host another information session on June 27 at Australian National Maritime Museum, as well as the Balmain Town Hall on Saturday July 4, and the Wesley Conference Centre on Saturday 11 July.