Rallying for Rozelle

The inclement weather did not dampen the spirits of protestors in Rozelle on Saturday, who amassed to reject the Rozelle Village proposal.

Around 1500 people gathered on National St taking shelter from the
rain and cold underneath awnings and umbrellas. Television news crews for Channel Seven, Channel Nine and ABC were present.

Leichhardt Mayor Rochelle Porteous told the crowd that the council and the community were united in opposing the proposal.

President of the Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Business, Jodie Stewart, said Rozelle stands to lose much of its local retail. She said if the development happens people will be walking through a “ghost town” to the shopping centre.

Stavros, a staunch Wests Tigers fan, said: “It’s Godzilla and Godzilla has no place in this area. Because Godzilla will tell all the shops: ‘You leave. I’m here. You go’.

“We’ve got to fight this developer, this Godzilla, and tell him where to go.”

Ms Porteous cited the Council’s draft submission to the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC). She said a panel of design experts have described the proposal as an ill-conceived ambit claim, which would have long-lasting detriments for Rozelle.

The proposal includes a three-building project with one 32-storey tower. Ms Porteous said it was so high it would stop the planes, obstruct traffic and overshadow half of the suburb.

The federal government’s air safety watchdog, Airservices, has said the proposal breaches the operational airspace for Sydney Airport.

The proposal includes the establishment of a shopping centre, and the Balmain Tigers club will occupy a portion of the building.

Managing Director of Rozelle Village, Ian Wright said he thought only 400 people attended, some of whom supported the proposal. He said the rally did not represent overwhelming opposition to the project.

Several speakers and protestors supported the return of the Tigers, but opposed the current development.

Placards read: “Wolves in Tigers Colours”, “The Real Rozelle village says no to this development” and “Put Godzilla back in his cage” – a reference to a recent analogy of the project.

A letter was read out from Jan Murray, ex-wife of the former Tourism Minister John Brown. She said she did not agree with Mr Brown’s recent open letter of support for the proposal.

Mark Wallis of Rozelle Residents Action Group (RRAG) described Rozelle as a vibrant community where people knew each other. He rejected Mr Brown’s suggestion Rozelle was a struggling neighbourhood.

Sally, a mother of two, told the Inner West Independent: “There’s no childcare here already. I’ve waited two years for childcare. With all these other people coming in, the facilities are not going to cope… It’s going to stink of corruption if it gets through.”

Some were confident the proposal would be quashed. Others expected a compromised middle ground outcome. Many were impressed by the attendance figures given the poor weather.

The Council has spent more than $100,000 to hire experts to oppose the development. Submissions to the PAC closed on Monday, June 18.

For extended interviews with residents and a photo essay of the rally, go to altmedia.net.au.

John Brown could not be contacted.

By Dominic Dietrich