Residents question developer’s green agenda

Balmain residents claimed the developer of the former Tigers Leagues Club site was making false assertions of coordinating with an environmental body at a recent meeting.

Around 320 people attended the Leichhardt Council information and question and answer session at the Balmain Town Hall on May 3.

Many residents spoke out against the project, with one suggesting the developers, Rozelle Village Pty Ltd, had falsely claimed they were working with the Green Building Council of Australia.

Rozelle Village released a public document last month discussing the development’s environmental targets.

The fact sheet said the developers “are working with Green Building [Council] Australia (GBCA) to achieve a 5-Star rating under the Green Star Custom rating tool.”

Late last week, one GBCA spokesperson told City News there were no records at GBCA of such cooperation.

“You need to be registered for a Green Star rating in order to be able to claim that you’re working towards a Green Star rating,” the spokesperson said.

“The Rozelle project is not registered for a Green Star rating, under the Custom or any other rating tool.”

Rozelle Village’s managing director, Ian Wright, told City News last week the issue was a matter of timing.

He said Rozelle Village had two discussions with GBCA, a not-for-profit sustainable development organization, on the same day that City News inquired into the matter.

He said they plan to formalise a position with GBCA this week.

“When the fact sheets were written, it had actually intended that that relationship would have already commenced.

“However it hasn’t, as of yet.”

Mr Wright said the fact sheets and website will be updated.

The project, involving the construction of three towers, was placed on public exhibition by the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure on April 18 for 62 days.

There were also claims proforma letters supporting the project were distributed at an information session on April 28 which was hosted by the developers with Tigers representatives speaking.

Leichhardt Mayor Rochelle Porteous said this is not proper process and would like the council to investigate the issue.

She intends to write a letter of complaint to the Planning Assessment Commission and the NSW Minister for Planning.

Mr Wright said Rozelle Village has not distributed pro forma letters of support, and that he did not notice any at the April 28 meeting.

“If the Tigers are rallying their membership to support the project that’s really a matter for them,” he said.

The Tigers did not reply to City News’ questions.