Victory for Pitt Street residents

Council voted unanimously to refuse a development application for the construction of a 46-unit apartment complex in Pitt Street, Redfern, on Monday.

The project had been recommended for refusal by council planners citing 14 major objections, including a failure to comply with design quality principles, heritage concerns, inadequate privacy and sunlight access for neighbours, and “excessive” non-compliance with floor space ratio requirements.

Pitt Street residents were represented by John Allen, Donna-May Bolinger and David Williams, who addressed Council’s Planning Development and Transport Committee before the vote was taken.

All three, while delighted with the outcome, emphasised the need for a more comprehensive consultative process between Council, prospective developers and residents.

“We encouraged constructive dialogue,” said Mr Allen. “But it was not received and we felt that preferential treatment was given to the developer.”

All three speakers also highlighted the importance of maintaining the area’s heritage and amenity.

“We don’t want to go backwards to the old Redfern,” said Mr Allen. “We need to maintain the unique variety and social mix that we now have.”

Mr Williams raised concerns about potential problems with excavation such as the lowering of the water table and the cracking of buildings.

He stated that there was no dialogue between the residents and developers on how they planned to mitigate these concerns.

Ultimately the Committee required little convincing as all members followed the recommendation to refuse the DA.