Presentation to Council Meeting

We are residents of Gay Street, the street most affected by the councils proposal. It is with despair that I
address council tonight, as I am representing the community.
Let me state my position which I believe to be the position of many residents in the area.
I do not oppose the councils proposed development of 18 storey apartment blocs on the target site as it is
accepted that the area is designated to become a ma!or centre within Sydney.
I do however oppose the plan in its current form as it does not form part of a considered coherent plan for
the surrounding area. In particular I oppose it as it fails to re"one Gay Street the area most impacted by the
proposal. #he report does suggest that re"oning could be considered at a later time however this is not a
satisfactory response.
$ouncil proposes initiating a review of potential sites for a high density development in the area. %ll this
proves to me is that the current proposal is an opportunistic one by council which fails to meet basic town
planning re&uirements.
I am also very disappointed by the total lac of consultative process in the 'evelopment of this plan. $ouncil
are in the position to get the planning right but so far I believe they have failed to do so. #he recent shire(
wide leap failed to address the specifics of the development of the area around the town centre.
#he plan in its current form merely loos at ma)imising the development of $ouncil*s own site, pays lip
service to the issues raised by residents, and does not set the proposal as part of an overall coherent strategy
for the surrounding area.
#his is really the nub of my argument, I note it is not proposed to readvertise this item but to finalise it
tonight. Why am I not surprised+ It merely emphasises what from the resident*s point of view has been the
hallmar of this proposal , that is, the council*s steadfast refusal to consult with residents.
While I than councillors for the time they have given me to put my case to them, this is not the same as
proper engagement as part of a formal process. -owever the council dresses it up this is about council
ma)imising the value of its own land while acting as the proposer of the plan, the reviewer of ob!ections to
#hat plan, the consent authority for the development, the decider of the process to be followed, and the
approval authority. #he failure of the council to engage with residents is disgraceful to approve this
development without it being set against a coherent plan for the area is unbelievable.
#o approve this plan without agreeing to the re"oning of Gay Street as an integral part of the plan is totally
unbelievable.
.inally I as all councillors and council planners to answer this &uestion /if the council proposed to build
two 18 storey buildings in their street without re"oning the land in the rest of that street would they feel the
council was acting responsibly+