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Vulnerable Residents Worry About Parking Space Loss Amid Developments at Green Square

Green Square, located some two kilometres away from Kensington, is undertaking a significant development which could see the Zetland area evolve into a progressive precinct but vulnerable residents are concerned about a potential loss of parking spaces, especially on Portman Street.

The City of Sydney Council’s plans to develop a cycleway at the Green Square precinct to encourage biking as a healthier means of transport. Whilst this may reduce the number of cars and decongest the roads, the older population living in the tree-lined terrace homes on Portman Street said they will be most affected by the plan.

If some 90 street parking spots are replaced by cycleways, elderly and vulnerable residents will have a harder time leaving their houses. Since they cannot use bikes, they will still need cars to get around. With less available parking slots, they will be forced to park their cars in other areas and walk back home. Many of these residents cannot manage a long walk home, particularly if they have to carry bags of groceries on foot.

Parking will also become a problem for elderly residents who rely on grocery deliveries and similar services as there will be more competition for other parking spots off Portman Street. Additionally, the development of residential buildings in Green Square could drive the older population out of this Zetland section.

A spokesperson for the Council said that parking concerns are under review as the upgrades to Portman Street continue. The development will also cover Sonny Leonard Street, Geddes Avenue and Zetland Avenue.

Work on this precinct promises to deliver:

better footpaths and new cycleways
new street furniture, smart poles and plants
three signalised intersections on Zetland Avenue
one signalised intersection at Geddes Avenue and Portman Street
changes to parking on Portman Street
underground electrical lines

The project started in September 2020 and will be completed in 18 months.

Government Envisions Long-term Social Housing For Rough Sleepers in Waterloo

Photo credit: planet_fox/Pixabay

The number of rough sleepers in Waterloo dropped in 2021, with only 272 people sleeping on the streets based on the count of City of Sydney staff and volunteers. Whilst this is good news, the government is still looking to provide housing for Waterloo’s non-residents and that includes rough sleepers.

This number is lower compared to last year’s count, with 334. The latest data also revealed that the number of occupancy at crisis and temporary accommodation beds are 9-percent lower compared to 2020, which recorded an 82-percent occupancy rate.

The plan is to include a total of 920 social housing dwellings which is equivalent to 30 percent of all dwellings in Waterloo Estate (South). The proposed redevelopment of Waterloo Estate also includes plans to build 613 affordable housing dwellings.

Waterloo redevelopment indicative staging plan (Photo credit: Land and Housing Corporation)

“To make the sort of impact we saw through the pandemic permanent, Sydney needs more appropriate, long-term social housing and diverse accommodation options, particularly for non- residents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with complex care needs such as brain injuries and trauma who have found themselves on the streets,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

Moore believes the housing project is feasible, given the NSW government already invested a huge amount in temporary accommodation in 2020 to effectively get almost every person sleeping rough into some sort of housing at the height of the pandemic.

Waterloo’s existing social housing

One of the slab buildings in Waterloo Estate, an existing social housing in the suburb (Photo credit: meetings.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au)

On the northern half of Waterloo Estate lies four 16-storey residential slab buildings that comprise approximately 200 units. One of these is the Joseph Banks block, which has been notorious for squatters for many years.

The local government has been planning to gentrify the area for years now and this leaves some residents worried about the timeline since the project was first announced in 2015. In urban planning, gentrification means the process of changing the character of a neighbourhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses.

But to make way for a higher density mix of social, affordable and private homes, the government needs to relocate around 2500 residents. Tenants have expressed concerns about relocating including loss of social support networks, access to health and support services, and links to their cultural communities.

In line with this, the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) assured they have made a commitment to a six-month notice period for residents including the assignment of a relocation officer to assist them in the process.

“The City has funded the Redfern Legal Centre to provide tenancy legal support in relation to the relocation process. This program was in place from March 2018 to June 2020. No relocations have taken place during this time due to extended redevelopment timeframes,” Transport, Heritage and Planning Committee stated.

Kensington Man Honoured For Advocacy On Subcontractor Rights

Photo credit: Dowew/ Wikimedia Commons

Geoffrey Jochelson, a 90-year-old resident of Kensington received the Order of Australia Medal for introducing The Security of Payment Act – a legislation allowing contractors to recover disputed payments without having to go to court.

In order to bring the law into existence, Jochelson went through endless proposals, meetings, and government assessments. At the time, he also served as the Business and Commercial Manager of the National Electrical Contractors Association. It was in 1999 when all his hard work paid off, when the New South Wales Government made the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act into law.

Labor MP for Heffron Ron Hoenig said: “I congratulate Mr Geoffrey Jochelson of Kensington on his receipt of a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Australia Day Honours List for services to the construction industry, particularly security of payment.”

“His initiative has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of sub-contractors here and around the world by ensuring millions of dollars every year are paid to the small businesses and tradespeople that make our economy tick,” he said.
“The Act replaced the lengthy and costly process of litigation with a statutory compulsory adjudication scheme that can see a claim for payment, which might take years and incur enormous legal fees, resolved in just a matter of weeks,” added Hoenig.

Jochelson’s eagerness to see the law into action comes from his father’s experience, who was underpaid by a builder, when he’s nine and living in South Africa. The effect that had on his parent’s business eventually led to Jochelson becoming a champion for subcontractors.

To honour his contributions as an advocate for subcontractor rights, he was given the Order of Australia, a recognition given to Australian citizens for other persons for achievement or meritorious service.

On Australia Day 2021, around 844 Asutralians received recognition in various honours and orders.

Zetland Street Furniture to be Overhauled After 20 Years

Bus shelters with street furniture and other public facilities such as the toilets and kiosks around Zetland Street will get its first major overhaul from the City of Sydney Council in 20 years.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore confirmed that the project will start in July 2021, after initially discussing the changes in 2017. The overhaul will begin with Sydney CBD and also include other inner eastern suburbs like Glebe and Paddington.

QMS won the contract to replace the old street furnishing in June 2020. The outdoor media company would also be tasked to maintain these street features until 2030.

Mr Moore said that the overhaul could bring “significant revenue” as the outdoor furnishing also doubles as advertisements. However, the ads may be temporarily suspended whilst the refurbishments are underway.

JCDecaux built and installed Sydney’s current outdoor furnishing two decades ago and offered to sell the assets to the Council when it lost the contract to QMS. The Council refused the sale thus JCDecaux will demolish the existing facilities for recycling.

“Our 20-year contract with JCDecaux has expired, and we have recently negotiated a new long-term contract that provides more income to the City and a renewal of our street furniture,” Ms Moore said.

“To put it simply, that price was too high and did not reflect the age and limited remaining life of the infrastructure. Given the new contract provides furniture that is being built to current standards and requirements at no cost to our ratepayers, we declined.

“JCDecaux is required to recycle or reuse the old furniture wherever possible under their own Sustainability Plan, so I’m hopeful their furniture will find new use or be appropriately disposed of.

“Our new street furniture has been designed using the City’s sustainability guidelines – it will modernise our streets while providing revenue to help maintain our high quality services and public spaces and low rates.”

Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre: Sydney’s Largest Pool Complex Opens

The long-awaited opening of Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre, the largest pool complex in Sydney since the 2000 Olympics, is finally here! Located three kilometres off Kensington at the Green Square area in Zetland, the new facility has been over three years in the making and it’s now ready for avid swimmers, health and fitness buffs, and families to enjoy.

Whilst Sydney has heaps of pools and the best beaches in the world, Gunyama Park is still a welcome addition for its accessibility and sustainability.

The aquatic park is near the train station, as well as the cycleways and bus stop at Green Square. On the other hand, the design of the building features an innovative energy co-generation system, using solar panels, that provides a cheaper alternative for heat and power.

Designed for both function and beauty, this leisure site does not just boast of a 50-metre heated outdoor pool. Visitors to Gunyama Park can also expect to enjoy and appreciate the following facilities:

25m heated indoor program pool for swimming lessons
Indoor leisure pool with a range of interactive toys, including water spraying devices and tipping buckets
Heated hydrotherapy pool
Health and fitness centre and covered outdoor yoga deck
A crèche with indoor and outdoor play areas
A full-size outdoor synthetic multipurpose sports playfield
A fully equipped gymnasium and outdoor training circuit
An outdoor playground and boardwalk
Plants and landscaping inspired by the area’s Indigenous heritage
Bangala, a new public artwork by Aunty Julie Freeman (Eora/Yuin) with Jonathan Jones (Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi)

“Not just for fitness fanatics, this is a place for all people to enjoy the centre in different ways – even if it’s simply reading the paper in the sun and enjoying the occasional dip,” Andrew Burges of Andrew Burges Architects said. His team collaborated with Grimshaw and TCL and CPB Contractors to complete this massive aquatic park.

Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre is open for a 360 membership. To learn more, including its operating hours, visit the official site.

“Super excited that this place has finally opened up! Excellent facilities! From the sports field, circuit, pools, spa, kids areas, cafe and the gym upstairs – simply superb. Looking forward to many days spent here. Parking may not be the easiest around here though. It’s all metered for 2 hours from 8am-10pm. Although, there’s plenty of buses around and a short 5min walk from Green Square station.”
Hayley Espanol

“A much needed and spectacular new addition to the neighborhood. 2 x pools, a kids splash zone, hydrotherapy pool, gym and full size sports field. Plus a great cafe.”
Steven Guy

“Beautiful new aquatic leisure center. Great facilities and plenty of fun activities for kids. Very limited 2 hour ticket parking. Best accessed by public transport, bicycle or walking”
Trevor Lawrie

Uni Lodge: 601-Room Student Block in Anzac Parade Proposed

Kensington could soon have a 601-room student housing block stretching from 177 to 197 Anzac Parade if the development application for Uni Lodge receives approval from Randwick City Council.

The project from Cedar Pacific and NettletonTribe (DA/20/2021) proposes the construction of a 10-storey dormitory, which will occupy 24 privately-owned lots to make 4,000 square metres of space for university housing.

If approved, Uni Lodge will have the following features:

basement parking for 12 cars for the staff
bicycle and motorbike parking areas
administrative offices, service areas and communal spaces in the ground floor
601 diverse rooms and 666 student beds
group rooms with its own kitchen, living room and bathroom
study rooms overlooking the courtyard
rooftop garden

Photo Credit: DA Tracking/Randwick City Council

The development will form part of the Kensington and Kingsford Town Centres (K2K) Planning Strategy, which took effect in November 2020 after four years of deliberation.

Cedar Pacific was able to raise $90 million to fund this student block.

Once Council signs on, the demolition of existing buildings in the area will be underway. This means that a Chinese restaurant and appliance store will have to find new locations whilst residents of a three-storey apartment and a duplex complex will also need to move out.

“The site currently contains five existing buildings of older stock with many buildings in need of replacement,” the proposal cited. “The proposal advances the social objectives of providing affordable and convenient housing options for students in close proximity to educational establishments. This increase in student housing supply will also assist in the availability (and affordability) of housing stock in the broader area, thereby providing a broader social and economic benefit.”

Uni Lodge will stand next to the heritage-listed Masonic Temple and near the Kensington Town Centre, the University of New South Wales and the South-East Light Rail.

Anzac Parade Site in Kensington Listed for Student Housing Development

A 7,600 square metre property located at 153 to 157 Anzac Parade in Kensington has been listed for development. The prominent corner position has been deemed as an ideal location for student housing since it is close to the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

The Anzac Parade property is also close to the Prince of Wales Hospital Complex and the Kensington Town Centre. It is conveniently near the South East Light rail link which links commuters from Kensington to Kingsford, Randwick and the CBD.

Interested developers have many options for this property given that it has been approved for mixed-use in 2014. In its initial development application, Randwick Council gave its consent for the development as a 7-storey building with 31 apartments and four retail spaces in the mezzanine on this Anzac Parade site.

However, the approved development application may still be amended.

“Local planning rules allow various alternative development possibilities – including student accommodation – to a height of 25 metres, or seven levels. The proposed rules would permit a height of 31 metres, or nine levels,” Ben Hunter of JLL said.

The supply of student housing in Kensington is rising in demand as the student population also grows in the precinct. Kensington needs at least 2820 student accommodation beds to be ready for the future.

Interested developers may contact JLL Sydney about the property for sale.

Roundhouse in Kensington to Hold Winter Dance, SciFi Trivia & Dragfest This June

Roundhouse in Kensington lives up to its “Home of Good Times” reputation with a slate of activities this June.

The events place within the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Building E6 campus on Anzac Parade will be hosting some notable parties for the millennials from the 22nd to the 27th of June.

WHAT	WHEN
Winter Dance	Saturday, 22 June 2019 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Big Trivia SciFi	Tuesday, 25 June 2019 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Dragfest 2019	Thursday, 27 June 2019 7:00 p.m. to 11:50 p.m.

Keep warm and unleash your dance moves at the Winter Dance. Presented by Astral People, this party will feature DJs and performers from Detroit, Michigan (Omar S and K-Hand) and Vancouver Canada (Pender Street Steppers). Local legends Roland Tings, Ben Fester and Lex Deluxe will also be providing the music and releasing their latest tracks.

Test your knowledge about science and pop culture in the SciFi trivia night. Organized by the Arc-UNSW Student Life, this is an 18+ event where food, booze and prizes will be overflowing. To join the trivia contest, teams will need to have at least five to eight people.

Witness the parade of queens at Kensington’s best drag show. Tickets to this 18+ event are at $133.86 per person. Karen From Finance will host.

*Photo Credit: Karen from Finance/Instagram*

Longest-Running Bachata Festival Makes Kensington Return

Photo Credit: Sydney International Bachata Festival/Facebook

The first and longest-running bachata festival returned to Kensington with rousing success! Celebrating the fun on its 12th year, the Sydney International Bachata Festival (SIBF) was a showcase of local and world-class talents.

The party, which happened on the 26th to the 29th of April 2019, spanned four nights of performances and three days of dance workshops featuring well-known personalities in the world of bachata, such as Samy el Magico & Carolina Rosa, Micka and Emi, as well as Sergio and Ana. It took place at the Roundhouse on Anzac Parade.

The Bachata Festival highlighted the Dominican Republic’s popular social dancing style and hundreds of participants signed up to learn how to do this sexy dance movement right. The workshops, however, also included other Latin American dances like the Cha-Cha, Kizomba, Mambo, Samba, Raggaeton, Rumba, Tarraxhina and Zouk.

*Photo Credit:* *Sydney International Bachata Festival/Facebook*

This cultural event also presented a concert featuring Dominican Republic singer and songwriter Joel Santos and his son Veneno. Mr Santos is a Latin Grammy-winning artist and a Billboard chart-topper whose hit songs have hit the airwaves in the United States and Europe.

This dance party and musical showcase gathers Latin American dance lovers from all over the world every year. It is recognized by the Dominican Republic Arts Commission.

Kensington to Kingsford Planning Strategy Moving in Right Direction, Says Mayor

A proposal to develop the stretch of Anzac Parade from Kensington to Kingsford has been laid out more than two years ago via the Kensington to Kingsford (K2K) Planning Strategy. Recently, Mayor Kathy Neilson stated that the process is finally moving in the right direction.

Significant changes to the proposal were made after an initial public exhibition and community consultation in 2016. The Council also requested a Gateway Review of the proposal with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

The Department, on the other hand, sought the help of the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) regarding the Gateway Review. IPC made its recommendations which enabled the Department to amend its earlier Gateway Determination.

Currently, the Council is seeking to meet with the Department to clarify a few provisions and wording in the Gateway Determination. The target is to resolve this matter before the Council takes up a re-drafted K2K Planning Strategy with its concerned committees and the public in the coming months.

*Photo Credit:* *NSW Independent Planning Commission*

The Council submitted the K2K Planning Strategy after several developers also lodged proposals to develop high-rise buildings of up to 25 storeys in Kensington and Kingsford amid the construction of the new light rail transit system.

“Throughout 2016 Council has been developing a draft planning strategy for the area to provide a vision for the town centres of Kingsford and Kensington, control development and maximise public benefits,” the Council stated in its fact sheet regarding K2K.

“Because Council has started this process, we have successfully been able to defend the community against inappropriate development.”

Ultimately, the goal of the K2K Planning Strategy is to build the following public benefits to Kensington and Kingsford residents:

8 new plazas
200 affordable homes
Larger public spaces and wider footpaths
15 pedestrian mid-block links
Shared laneways
Separate bicycle ways
Underground power lines
A multipurpose community centre
New carparks or extension of existing carparks

Follow the developments and updates of the K2K Planning Strategy via the Randwick City Council website.