Residential zoning for Oxford Street ‘an error’

Businesses in Oxford Street Darlinghurst were sent into a spin last week by the publication of Council plans showing the south side of the street would be rezoned R1 Residential. The maps, available on Council’s website, are part of a new draft Local Environment Plan (LEP) passed unanimously by Councillors on September 6.

But, when questioned about the zoning by City News, a Council spokesperson at first denied the zoning was changing and then said this was “…an error on the map. It will be corrected before the formal exhibition.“

Oxford Street locals had reason the be worried. That side of the street includes iconic venues such as Kinselas, Stonewalls and The Columbian, as well as a number of restricted adult shop premises. It is a focus of gay culture.

While R1 zoning would not necessarily exclude uses such as nightclubs and pubs, planners say applications from such businesses would have a harder time getting approval because the intent of the zoning counts.

The zoning automatically allows “home occupations and horticulture”. Permitted with consent are uses such as boarding houses, “home occupations (sex services)” and neighbourhood shops.

But prohibited are offices, restricted premises, registered clubs, tourist and visitor accommodation, mortuaries and farm buildings.

Locals were also puzzled because the draft LEP zones the opposite side of the street, where Council owns most of the buildings, as B2 Local Centre. This is a business-oriented zoning and more appropriate for the street, say businesses concerned.

The proposals was being seen as part of Council’s campaign against late-night entertainment precincts.

The current zoning, under the old South Sydney Council rules, is Business 3. The new LEP unites previous South Sydney and Leichhardt Council areas amalgamated with the City in 2004 under one set of rules.

The new LEP will now be submitted to the Department of Planning for approval before being put on exhibition for public comment

by Michael Gormly