DRAFT plans for the transformation of Arncliffe and Banksia through the construction of new high-rise apartment blocks, offices, restaurants and cafes will soon be unveiled.
The Department of Planning and the Environment, urban design consultants and Rockdale Council planners have been working together to reshape the suburbs since they were designated urban renewal "priority precincts" in December last year.
Proposals are expected to be exhibited for community comment in mid-2015.
After the plans are finalised, rezonings will be recommended to Planning Minister Rob Stokes, who will make the final decision.
No 'cheap and nasty' development
FROM the back deck of the Arncliffe home in which they have lived for 40 years, Fred and Judy Poole (pictured) can see to the heads of Botany Bay.
But they also see the built skyline of Rockdale, Kogarah and Hurstville, and they don’t want the same development ‘‘mistakes’’ repeated.
‘‘If it goes the same way, it will be a disaster,’’ Mr Poole said. ‘‘We are not opposed to new buildings, but we believe it should be quality development. There is too much that is cheap and nasty.’’
Plan needs broad council support
The Leader has been told there will be no recommendation to proceed unless there is broad council support.
Areas on the edge of Princes Highway and those within a 400-metre radius, or 10 minutes’ walk of railway stations are expected to be rezoned for mixed commercial and residential buildings.
Building heights are expected to be lower than in nearby Wolli Creek.
A typical development would have shops at ground level, offices on the first floor and home units above.
The department is treating each precinct separately because they are seen to have differences as well as similarities.
Two urban design consulting firms were commissioned, one for each area.
In other precincts, which vary in size and nature, the number of extra homes has ranged between 3000 and 5000.
Changes will occur gradually until 2031, the time frame for the government’s metropolitan strategy.
This will allow time to add major infrastructure that may be required, such as state road upgrading or a new school if population growth demands.
The government has promised Rockdale Council $10 million for local infrastructure, which could be spent on council roads, drainage, parks and walking and cycle paths.
Once the council’s local environmental plan has been amended, developers will set to work in earnest, trying to persuade property owners to sell up.
The Arncliffe and Banksia projects could provide the first major test of the urban renewal program since it was revamped and renamed at the end of last year.
More community consultation was incorporated into the process after a public backlash in some areas, previously known as ‘‘urban activation precincts’’.
Rockdale Council unanimously nominated Arncliffe and Banksia for the program, and the councillors were briefed.
A council spokesman said the department had been assessing the opportunities and constraints for development potential.
‘‘This includes studies to assess neighbourhood and centre character, urban design options, open space and landscape opportunities, heritage and environmental constraints, traffic, access and connectivity management, growth potential and economic feasibility,’’ he said.
MORE CAFES, EATERIES
One need stood out when Arncliffe and Banksia residents were asked how their neighbourhoods could be improved.
Nearly 60 per cent listed more cafes and restaurants among their top three.
Other requests included more parks and open space (30 per cent), walking and cycling links and traffic improvements (both 25 per cent), a sense of community (22 per cent) and children’s playgrounds (20 per cent).
More than 340 people responded to the Department of Planning and Environment online survey over two months.
Asked what was great about their suburb, almost 70 per cent chose public transport and nearly 40 selected a sense of community.
Comments included:
- ‘‘I’d like a place where you can live and work close by without having to commute. Somewhere where at night you can go eat out with family or friends. Somewhere that is easy to get around be it by foot, car or public transport.’’
- ‘‘I would love some life to be injected into Arncliffe. Cafes, shops, a pub. Buses linking to Newtown/Marrickville.’’
- ‘‘Keep a village feel, improve the roads that feed into the local streets.’’
- ‘‘Banksia would be a great hybrid between a hipster region (similar to Alexandria) and a family-friendly community environment with childcare facilities, playground and a community centre. Arncliffe would have a number of great restaurants, supermarkets and speciality shops.’’
- ‘‘I think the area needs more cafes and proper planning ideas so that the historical character of local shops is maintained. Better care of shared areas around the station and improvements to children’s playgrounds and improved walking and cycling facilities.’’
What changes would you like to see in Arncliffe and Banksia?