Kensington Archives - Kensington News

NIDA Raises Concerns Over UNSW’s Proposed Expansion in Kensington

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Kensington has expressed concerns regarding the University of New South Wales (UNSW) expansion plans. The proposed development would add 881 new student rooms opposite NIDA’s main entrance.

Read: New SkyParks in Kensington to Enhance UNSW Learning Spaces

NIDA CEO Liz Hughes has stated that the development could significantly impact the institute’s operations. The organisation estimates that associated costs could represent more than a third of its annual budget and potentially affect the use of several teaching spaces.

The project’s origins trace back to May 2023, when UNSW submitted a Development Application for the redevelopment of its Western Car Park on Anzac Parade.

The initial proposal for 1,066 rooms across five buildings, with structures up to 23 storeys tall, has since been revised. Following input from Randwick Council and the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel, the current plan includes 881 rooms, with the tallest buildings reduced to 16 storeys.

NIDA reports that UNSW is set to lease the adjacent car park site to property developer Iglu for 99 years, in a deal reportedly worth $168 million. The proposed development on this site is expected to include not only student accommodation, but also commercial and retail spaces.

Ms Hughes has requested that the panel defer its decision and refer the application to NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully for additional review. She cited potential implications for NIDA’s future operations as the reason for this request.

NIDA’s concerns include the loss of nearby drop-off zones for visitors and limited parking during the estimated 3-5 year construction period. The institute also anticipates that construction activities could impact the use of teaching theatres, music studios, and sound studios, including spaces used by Master of Fine Arts students.

Several NIDA alumni, including actors Richard Roxburgh, Heather Mitchell, Sigrid Thornton, and Rob Collins, have voiced support for the institute’s position.

Read: Locals Worry About ‘Overpopulation’ With Regard To Proposed Housing In Kensington North

While recognising the demand for student housing, Ms Hughes stated that the development should not impede NIDA’s ability to operate. The institute serves its students and staff, as well as approximately 100,000 community members who visit annually.

The Sydney Eastern Planning Panel is now tasked with considering the various aspects of this development proposal in Kensington.

Published 24-September-2024

Kensington Set for Major Overhaul with $21.6 Million Dual-Tower Development

Developers are set to transform a quaint street in Kensington by demolishing three single-storey homes to make way for a $21.6 million high-rise apartment complex near a major transport hub.

Town planner Planning Ingenuity has unveiled plans for a new residential complex at 6-10 Bowral St, Kensington, which includes two high-rise towers of 10 and eight storeys. The development site, strategically positioned less than 300 metres from the Kensington Light Rail stop, benefits from its proximity to the University of NSW, Centennial Parklands, and Moore Park.

6 to 10 Bowral St Kensington — *Photo Credit: DA 208/2024*

The proposed development, DA 208/2024, would bring 34 new apartments to the area, comprising a mix of one to four-bedroom layouts. Ground Ink architects, involved in the project, have highlighted the site’s prime location for significant development due to the recent introduction of the light rail corridor.

Bowral St Kensington — *Photo Credit: DA 208/2024*

Context of the Development

This development initiative follows a series of major projects in Kensington and its surrounding suburbs.

Notably, last year, the Randwick Council approved a $52-million student housing project along Anzac Parade while construction commenced on TOGA’s $180-million mixed-use residential hub in the same suburb. These projects follow a controversial proposal by billionaire developer Harry Triguboff that faced community pushback in Zetland.

A previous proposal for a nine-storey building on the same site was rejected by the Land and Environmental Court in 2022, primarily due to concerns over the building’s height exceeding local limits by nearly 10 metres.

The current proposal, which suggests eight and ten storeys structures, aims to replace three Federation-style homes, which, while not heritage-listed, are part of a community with several protected buildings.

A heritage impact statement has been issued, noting potential conflicts between the new development’s scale and the surrounding area’s historical character.

Potential Impact and Benefits

The developers argue that the new towers would increase housing stock and offer substantial social benefits by providing diverse housing options close to essential services and public transport.

The project includes plans for 50 car parking spaces and a commercial site, enhancing the area’s accessibility and economic activity.

Approval of this project could significantly alter Kensington’s landscape and social fabric, marking another step in the suburb’s ongoing transformation driven by urban development and infrastructure enhancements.

Published 25-June-2024

Anson Group Receives Approval for 197-Unit Residential Development in Kensington

Anson Group has been approved for a significant residential development project in Kensington, marking a milestone in the company’s expansion efforts. The green light comes after a rigorous 16-month development application process for the proposed 197-apartment residential shoptop.

The project site, located at 77 to 103 Anzac Parade and 59A to 71 Boronia Street in Kensington, underwent scrutiny before receiving the go-ahead.

Anson Group lodged DA/395/2022 in August 2022 and received approval in March 2024.

According to the NSW Department of Planning, the average assessment timeframes for multi-unit residential developments in 2022-23 was 182 days, indicating a thorough approval process.

Anson Group, a real estate company with over 15 years of experience in Sydney, has strategically combined 14 lots to create a massive 6296-square-meter site in the City of Randwick. With a projected budget of $104 million, the development project aims to rejuvenate the area by constructing four buildings of varying heights, ranging from four to nine stories.

Anson Group Kensington — Photo Credit: DA/395/2022

According to BCI Central, their new development will include a variety of apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms. Buildings C and D will have nine storeys each and will be located along Anzac Parade, while the Boronia Street buildings will be four storeys high.

The buildings will be interconnected and have an upper-level infill built form. Additionally, there will be 245 parking spaces available across a two-level basement.

The architectural blueprint, designed by BVN, includes provisions for a thoroughfare link that runs east to west. This will improve accessibility and connectivity within the neighbourhood. Additionally, in a nod to community welfare, Anson Group has designated six units within the development as affordable housing, reflecting their commitment to inclusive urban development.

The site where the project is planned currently contains two-story commercial and retail spaces, as well as empty and outdated buildings. Anson Group aims to transform the area, which is expected to boost the economy, create job opportunities, and address the retail demands of the community. The upcoming development is projected to include a much-needed supermarket.

The development is taking place in Kensington Town Centre, and it is currently undergoing planning reviews to determine the best building heights and densities. The goal is to improve the infrastructure and promote commercial expansion.

Anson Group’s winning bid for the Kensington project highlights their strategic vision and dedication to enhancing Sydney’s urban landscape while meeting the changing needs of its residents.

Published 5-March-2024

Experience Cuisine Launches Unique Food Tours in Kensington

Experience Cuisine has launched an innovative culinary expedition in Kensington and has offered exclusive tours to explore Australia’s lesser-known food and wine destinations.

This initiative welcomes food and wine enthusiasts, travellers, and holidaymakers to a gastronomic journey, showcasing Australia’s vibrant food culture and diverse flavours beyond the typical tourist spots. These curated tours provide an immersive experience in local culinary traditions, from bustling food markets to picturesque vineyards and top-notch restaurants, promising to create lasting memories.

The tours organised by Experience Cuisine are not limited to food tasting as they are comprehensive journeys through Australia’s diverse culinary landscape, from its bustling urban eateries to the serene vineyards and farms in the countryside. These tours are designed to cater to a range of tastes and preferences, offering an authentic experience of local flavours and traditions.

Experience Cuisine Kensington — Photo Credit: Unsplash

Participants get to interact with local chefs, visit farmers’ markets, and learn about sustainable food practices, all while enjoying a variety of dishes that showcase Australia’s rich culinary heritage. This initiative not only provides a delightful experience for food lovers but also supports local communities and businesses

For more information on this gastronomic adventure visit the official site.

New SkyParks in Kensington to Enhance UNSW Learning Spaces

Photo Credit: UNSW

Did you know that the University of New South Wales (UNSW) could soon have SkyParks, a new urban garden that is expected to provide additional learning spaces and ‘living labs’ for research at its Kensington campus?

The project is expected to improve the balcony spaces of the UNSW SquareHouse building and will provide research opportunities on the impact of the cooling and greening of under-utilised areas. It will also pave the way for the development of adaptable, flexible, and energy-saving improvements in urban sites.

UNSW will also be setting up monitoring equipment to study the environmental conditions at the SkyParks to complement its research.

The plan is in line with the “Greening our City” initiative, which will be funded by the NSW Government. One of the goals of this project is to plant a million trees all over Sydney by the end of 2022.

Paula Masselos, the mayor of Waverley, calls the SkyParks the “living labs” that will help with the innovation of goals for a sustainable and climate-resilient Sydney. Waverley and Randwick Councils are also supporting the SkyParks initiative.

“[The garden] will also help us achieve our community target of net zero emission by 2035, as this cooling would hopefully mean less reliance on air conditioning,” Ms Masselos said.

The students and staff at UNSW look forward to discovering the positive outcome of the SkyParks.

“Through a series of pilot sites, we hope to identify the barriers, benefits, and ultimately best practice solutions to adapting our existing buildings, Although many of these forgotten spaces are currently under-utilised, they have the ability to create a more climate-resilient and socially equitable city,” said Alexander Georgouras from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture.

UNSW Expert Explains Why New Slinda Pills is the Safer Contraceptive Option

A new contraceptive pill has been made available for Australian women who previously developed blood clots from birth control medication. Slinda pills have been deemed the safer option by Dr Terri Foran of the University of NSW Sexual Health in Kensington.

Slinda is exclusively a progestogen contraceptive pill that works well for breastfeeding women, as well as those diagnosed with hypertension, obesity, and migraines with aura. It’s also safe for women over 51 years old who may still need contraception but cannot take oestrogen contraceptive pills due to the side effects.

In Australia, most birth control pills available contain a combination of oestrogen and progestogen that may lead to headaches and blood clots. For every 10,000 women, five to 12 will develop blood clots because of their contraceptive pills.

According to Dr Foran, drugmakers in the 1950s added oestrogen in contraceptive pills to help control the bleeding better. Eventually, most worrying side effects have been proven to be oestrogen related. The UNSW Sexual Health expert said that no blood clots were reported for studies done for Slinda.

The pill works to thicken the mucus in the cervix and thin the uterus lining thus women who take the drug will experience infrequent periods.

Unlike other progestogen pills, Slinda doesn’t have a three-hour window for missed doses. Women can take it within 24 hours to catch up on their doses. Some of the most common side effects of this new drug include a mild diuretic effect, fluid retention, constipation, increase in acne, and breast tenderness.

The Slinda pills, however, are not part of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and could be available only through private prescriptions for $30 a month.

115-year-old ‘Esmarks’ To Close For $4.5 Million Upgrades

Photo credit: Eastern Suburbs Little Athletics Centre/Twitter

The 115-year-old ES Marks Athletics Field in Kensington will be closed temporarily in a few weeks after plans for its $4.5 million upgrades were finally approved.

Read: Kensington House With No Bathroom, Kitchen & Power Sells for $4.7 Million

The field’s 400-m synthetic track and high and long jump areas will receive upgrades, whilst lights will be enhanced to extend the facility’s use past sundown. Also part of the upgrades are tree planting, fixing the car parks, and building new coach pick up and drop off zones.

The project is part of a 50-year vision for Greater Sydney’s Open Space and Parklands, which aims to create a city within a park that will deliver a sustainable network of green space throughout the city.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes believes the project would revitalise a venue that would help train school children and the next generation of professional athletes.

“Parks are for everyone, no matter where you live, and we need to shift our way of managing individual parks to a model that benefits Greater Sydney as a whole,” Minister Stokes said in a media release.

“How we collectively run these parklands is crucial. The white paper proposes a new Greater Sydney Parklands Trust to act as a city-wide champion for existing and, excitingly, future parks,” he added.

“We need the right focus for community participation, governance, funding, and operating frameworks, along with strong and enduring funding streams, to deliver on the ambitions of our 50-Year vision for Sydney’s parklands,” said Minister Stokes.

Greater Sydney Parklands, the umbrella agency working on Sydney’s parks, was formed in 2020 to oversee the project. ES Marks will be closed starting 6 September 2021 for major construction works. Based on projected time, works are expected to be completed by April 2022.

About Moore Park E.S. Marks Athletics Field

Lord Mayor Ernest Samuel Marks writing at his desk, Sydney, ca. 1930 (Photo credit: https://nla.gov.au/)

Also known to locals as ‘Esmark,’ the field was established in 1906 as Sydney Athletics Field. It was renamed to ES Marks Athletics Field in 1947, in recognition of Ernest Samuel Marks, an Australian sporting administrator and also a former Lord Mayor of Sydney. He managed three Australian Olympic teams in 1908, 1912 and 1932.

Famous athletes who trained or competed at the field include Sebastian Coe, Daley Thompson, Carl Lewis and Maurice Greene. Some prominent Australians such Kerry Saxby-Junna, Matt Shirvington, Louise Sauvage, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor and Cathy Freeman.

Esmark is the home ground for Hakoah Sydney, Sydney FC Prague and Yugal soccer clubs. It was also used by the United States national athletics team during the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Kensington House With No Bathroom, Kitchen & Power Sells for $4.7 Million

A Kensington house, described as “neglected,” “uninhabitable” and doesn’t come with a kitchen and bathroom, has sold for $4.7 million during an auction.

Located on 25 Duke Street, the Federation charmer standing on a 556 square meter corner is on zoning that will allow the new owner to subdivide the property. The new owner reportedly checked the house for just five minutes before placing a bid. However, the Sydney local had been eyeing the property for 10 long years before it finally hit the market.

The real estate agents handling the sale said that they were actually inundated with enquiries, including those from overseas, when the Kensington house was listed for a month. Interested investors wanted to either restore the structure or completely tear it down to build a new house in such a good location.

The Kensington house is within walking distance of the Royal Randwick Racecourse and quite close to the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

But how did this house get into such a run-down state? The Savordos family bought the property in 2005 for $1.1 million with the intention of restoring it. However, their plans didn’t progress as the real estate agent said that restoration was “too much work,” so the house was left as it is for 16 years.

Apart from the missing kitchen and bathrooms, which were ripped apart during the Savordos’ renovation, the house also didn’t have electricity. Neighbours also said that, prior to the listing, the backyard grass was almost knee-high, allowing for snakes to seek refuge.

Despite its condition, the property’s value has quadrupled. The new owner, who lives just half a mile away from the Kensington house, hasn’t divulged the plans for the property.

ES Marks Athletics Field Kensington To Receive New Upgrades

The ES Marks Athletics Field in Kensington is due to receive some much-needed upgrades worth $4.8 million.

These upgrades intend to provide the field with a complete and utter overhaul, improving the 400-metre synthetic track and high and long jump areas while simultaneously enhancing the various facilities and facets of the area. These include, but are not limited to, the lighting, the tree-planting plans, and the car park.

A series of new coach pick-up and drop-off zones will also be included in the roster of upgrades. Rob Stokes, Planning and Public Spaces Minister, stated that the venue would be revitalised and provide the children who would make up newer generations of athletes with a place to train and practise for their respective sporting activities.

The ES Marks Athletics Field has been a community hallmark for 115 years, being the only facility of its kind along the eastern side of Sydney. With the upgrades fully implemented and operational, the field can be more readily available and up-to-standard.

For instance, the new and improved lighting all across the venue will help increase the number of hours the field can be used, and improved parking means increased capacity — a necessity as more and more children find themselves engaging with sports and athletics.

The venue will be closed from the 6th of September 2021 until construction is completed, which is estimated to be sometime in April in 2022. The ES Marks Athletics Field can be found at Boronia Street, Kensington.

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