The redevelopment of the UNSW Sydney College of Fine Arts (CoFA) is under threat, with the State Government expected to remove the community from the planning process and re-examine already approved construction traffic conditions for the site under Part 3A planning powers.
The Department of Planning is looking to remove Council's Construction Traffic Plan approval for the site's redevelopment in Paddington. This action to remove the City's approval powers for CoFA will unnecessarily hold up progress on this important site and create significant local unrest. The City of Sydney must remain the approval authority for CoFA.
The Council's approved Plan provides a solution to enable CoFA's redevelopment while minimising impacts on local residents and businesses. I am concerned that if the Department of Planning reviews the approved Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) it will seriously impact on CoFA's tight time frames and potentially jeopardise its stimulus funding.
The Council Plan allows construction traffic to use the Council owned Napier Street road closure adjacent to CoFA, to minimise traffic impacts on nearby residential streets. Residents who previously were originally strongly and actively opposed to CoFA's redevelopment had told me they were satisfied with Council's traffic plan and would now support the redevelopment.
If the Department takes control and recommends changes from Council's approved Plan, local residents are likely to have significant concerns and lose confidence in CoFA's redevelopment process. The redevelopment works are essential for CoFA's continuing success and will provide vital facilities for students and the broader community.
If the development is reviewed the Department will also look at a number of other approvals required for CoFA's redevelopment including the Community Liaison Committee Terms of Reference.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
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