Redfern residents dismayed over revised DA
Image: 52-54 Pitt St in Redfern
Redfern residents are up in arms over news that a revised development application (DA) for 52-54 Pitt St has been submitted, despite the fact the original DA was rejected.
Convener of the Redfern Society, Donna-May Bolinger is concerned the new DA is “worse than the original”, and had the potential to damage nearby heritage-listed homes from the effects of on-site blasting.
The DA proposes an increase in the floor space ratio to 1:93:1, which doubles the permissible 1:1 Floor Space Ratio under Local Environmental Plans.
“We object to large breaches of floor-space ratio,” Ms Bolinger said. “It’s not just random numbers; it’s an important control in preventing the massive over-population of an area, which [if left unchecked] is linked to adverse impacts such as parking shortages, traffic congestion, and safety issues as well as noise.
“Excessive noise alone is recognised internationally as a human rights issue.”
If successful, the development will add an estimated 94 people to the neighbourhood.
Ms Bolinger said: “We have lovely homes and streetscapes in the area and many people dedicated to preserving the heritage and history of Redfern … We felt that Redfern was becoming very much of interest to developers and that it was time to get up to speed on protecting what’s left of its heritage for the future.”
Residents are concerned these changes may impact the structural safety of their heritage homes, increase traffic congestion and constrain the availability of parking the vicinity.
They also highlight issues with the proposed height, overshadowing and streetscape design.
A City of Sydney Council spokesperson said: “The City of Sydney refused a development application for the adaptive reuse of an existing commercial building for residential use at 52-54 Pitt Street on 4 April 2011. The applicant appealed the decision in the Land and Environment Court and in January 2012 the court upheld the City’s refusal.”
Ms Bolinger said the City of Sydney had not yet met with the residents to hear about the issus first-hand.
A City of Sydney Council spokesperson countered: “Residents and businesses are always informed of development applications near their homes and this was the case for the original proposal and the current Development Application.”
Ms Bolinger said: “If they (Council) are considering future needs, we feel that planning must address the issue of maintaining the rights of the rate payers and current residents.
“There is a concept called amenity, good planning and design is not supposed to reduce the liveability of your property or your community. Development is meant to be done without adverse impact – that’s the key.”
Lord Mayor Clover Moore lives just a short walk away from the proposed development, adding further interest to the DA’s assessment.
