September Update – What’s happening in Alexandria

Woolies Metro Conversion, Fountain Street, Alexandria – Community Meeting – Wed 13 September, Alexandria Town Hall at 7pm.

ARAG is holding a community meeting with a Q&A on Wednesday, 13 September, 2023, 7pm at the Alexandria Town Hall, Garden Street, Alexandria. At this meeting hear from Justin Nolan, Director of Metro, Woolworths Group & Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore.

The rollout of Woolworths Metro to Fountain Street, Alexandria has gained over 1400 signatures to local resident Andrew Wong’s petition against the conversion, attracted media coverage by 2GB, SMH, Nine News. Local residents have also voiced their concerns over local social media pages with issues ranging from inflated prices, a dominance in the the area already with 3 Metros close by, increased use of products with plastic packaging. The proposed loss of a fully stocked supermarket within a walking distance area is forcing many to drive on already congested roads in search of cheaper prices.

ARAG is holding a special community meeting to hear from Justin Nolan, Director of Metro, Woolworths Group & Lord Mayor Clover Moore, City of Sydney.

Be part of a grassroots community for a real community consultation with Woolworths. Hear what their plans are and be there to ask face to face questions & raise any concerns you have.

FB event page: More details on the event & RSVP, click here
Petition: https://www.change.org/p/don-t-downgrade-woolworths-alexandria-to-a-metro

Media Coverage links:
2GB Interview with Vanessa Knight, AGAG
Click below for the news articles: 2GB, Sydney Morning Hearld, Nine News, Channel 7, 9news.com.au


Alexandria and Erskineville Traffic and Transport Study Community Forum

A public meeting is been held by Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore to discuss the outcomes of the Community Consultation about the City of Sydney’s Erskineville and Alexandria Traffic and Transport Study (“the study”) which closed on 30 June 2023.

City staff will present the results of their community consultation about the Study. There will be time to ask questions and provide further feedback.

When: Thursday, 21 September, 2023, 6pm-7pm
Where: Alexandria Town Hall, 73 Garden Street, Alexandria


City of Sydney Community Engagement Summary Report can be downloaded here:

For more details about the Traffic Study click here


Build A Bridge – North and South Eveleigh connection Campaign

Help our neighbours Friends of Erskineville, REDWatch along with ARAG in a joint campaign for an active transport bridge across the train tracks at Eveleigh.

Locally, we’re campaigning for an active transport bridge across the train tracks at Eveleigh to connect Waterloo Metro, Alexandria & South Eveleigh one one side to Carriageworks, North Eveleigh, Darlington & Sydney University.

With already 1200 signatures, help continue the momentum by signing the petition to Jo Haylen, Minister of Transport.

Build A Bridge petition Click here

Petition against Fountain Street Woolworths downgrading to a Metro Store, Alexandria

One of our Alexandria residents has set up a petition to oppose the downgrading of the Fountain Street Woolworths supermarket to a Metro store. This means a loss of a larger stocked supermarket in the area & will be the 4th Metro store spread across Erskineville, Alexandria & Redfern.

There are already over 360 signatures in 2 days. Here’s the link below to sign for residents wishing to retain and improve the existing supermarket to service the Alexandria community and prevent paying higher prices in these times of inflation.

We understand that this transition is taking place in two weeks. Feel free to share this to spread the word.

https://www.change.org/p/don-t-downgrade-woolworths-alexandria-to-a-metro?redirect=false

June Meeting – Electric Vehicles (EV) and EV Infrastructure

Join us for our ARAG community meeting this Wednesday, 14 June 2023, at 7pm at Alexandria Town Hall, 73 Garden Street, Alexandria.

This meeting we will be about Electric Vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure, also covering some of the key issues regarding the Alexandria Erskineville Traffic Plan and presenting the results of the Alexandria Sunday Funday.

EV & EV Infrastructure

Andrew Hall, City Relations Manager from Jolt Australia is our invited speaker to talk us through EV charging in general and how enterprises like Jolt are working with local councils.

City Of Sydney – Proposed Improvements for traffic and transport in Alexandria and Erskineville

Click here for details and artist impressions of City of Sydney proposed improvements for traffic and transport in Alexandria and Erskineville

Community consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 30 June 2023. Have your say using the interactive map or email sydneyyoursay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Chris Standen, an Erskineville resident and has a PhD in transport planning from the University of Sydney, has developed and submitted a response to the Council’s study. He has provided ARAG with his response to be shared with Alexandria residents. Click below to view.

Let’s Bridge our Communities & Help Campaign to #buildabridge

Help us support our neighbours Friends of Erskineville and REDWatch to fight and campaign for the approval of an active transport bridge rail corridor from Carriageworks to South Eveleigh. Let us connect the great divide of residential, business & Sydney University communities of Darlington, Chippendale to the North & Erskineville, Redfern, Waterloo & Alexandria to the south of the rail tracks. It is a vital link of infrastructure that was proposed back in 2006 in the former Redfern Waterloo Authority plans with the Australian Technology Park & was due for completion in 2008.

To support this campaign #buildabridge and keep it alive and kicking, join the 1400 other signatures and sign the petition & send a new letter to the NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen.

Sign by clicking here
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/build-a-bridge

Friends of Erskineville understand that Lord Mayor Clover Moore is meeting with Minister Jo Haylen this week and they have requested that she raise the issue.

Let’s campaign to bring better connectivity back to our communities especially now more than ever with the proposed rezoning of the rail corridor of North Eveleigh prescient & the potential need to have continued connection to the proposed innovation hub between Central and Eveleigh known as Tech Central, Australia’s biggest technology hub.

For further reading:

https://southsydneyherald.com.au/no-bridging-credibility/

https://cityhubsydney.com.au/2022/09/build-a-bridge-community-wants-connectivity-at-massive-new-redfern-development/

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/push-to-bridge-the-divide-at-historic-eveleigh-rail-yards-20221221-p5c80r.html

https://redfernnews.com.au/local-groups-call-for-pedestrian-bridge-north-eveleigh-redevelopment

https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/residents-call-nsw-govt-build-bridge

Wet Weather venue change – Alexandria Sunday Funday now at Alexandria Park Community School

Due to a wet weather forecast we are moving the Alexandria Sunday FunDay to The Alexandria Park Community School, entrance via Power Avenue, Alexandria. Come on down and support our fabulous local fair after 3 years of absence. Huge thanks to Alexandria Park Community School where we can take advantage of their large undercover areas. Lots of fun on to be had, the dog competition hosted by Miranda Fair and prizes by PetO Alexandria, facepainting by Functions of Fun, come and find some treasure at our local Trash n Treasure markets, Live music with DJ Sean Your Local DJ, Miranda Fair and Jazz Trio. Pet stalls by PetO Alexandria, Dogs in Town and Paw Empire. Support our local community stalls and say hello to: Friends of Erskineville, Alexandria Scouts, NSW SES and meet Paddy the Platypus, Redfern Police will have a display vehicle, Alexandria Fire Brigade and Cliff Noble Centre. Enjoy the Jumping castles by Sydney Jumping Castle Hire, Food trucks & stalls by: Lit Canteen, Sharon Kwan Kitchen, Andy’s dumplings , Happy Grumpy Coffee, Ola Lola Catering & Events, The Daily Espresso, Dairy King, Pop’s Cornshack, cake stalls by the Alexandria Park Community School & the Alexandria Residents Action Group – ARAG Sausage Sizzle. Huge shout out to Brad Gillespie Real Estate in sponsoring our stage and CplusC Architects for sponsoring our jumping castle. Can’t wait to see you all there. We 🧡Alexandria.

Alexandria Sunday Funday is back this Sunday 30 April 2023

We’re finally back!! This Sunday 30 April 2023 at Alexandria Park 11am – 3pm.

Bring a picnic rug, dress up your pooch & come on down to leafy Alexandria Park. A fun, vibrant community day from 11am-3pm where you’ll find jumping castle, yummy food & coffee stalls, trash n treasure markets, face painting, live music, sausage sizzle and our famous local dog parade/competition hosted by the hilarious Miranda Fair Spread the word, share our page & tell your neighbours.

For more details visit: www.alexandriasundayfunday.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/alexandriasundayfunday

https://www.instagram.com/alexandriasundayfunday/

Seat of Newtown Candidates Forum 2023

When: Wednesday, 15 March 2023
Where: Erskineville Town Hall
Time: 7pm

Get ready for the Newtown Candidates Forum on March 15th, 7pm at Erskineville Town Hall. So far Jenny Leong and David Hetherington – Labor for Newtown are confirmed.

The candidates will be asked to answer the following 3 questions based on the top issues raised by residents in our survey:

1. What will your party commit to that will reduce the impact of climate change and speed up the transition from fossil fuels to renewables?

2. How will you ensure that there are guaranteed increases in public, social and affordable housing in all new developments and that these remain in perpetuity?

3. What will you do to improve the connectivity of public transport in NSW as well as increasing cycling and walkability in our urban areas?

Cohosted by RedWatch, Friends of Erskineville and ARAG

2023 NSW State Election Heffron Candidate Forum – VOTE for your top 3 issues that matter to you!

A State Election Candidates Forum for the seat of Heffron is being held on Wednesday, 8 February at 7pm at the Alexandria Town Hall by:

  • The Alexandria Residents Action Group (ARAG) and
  • REDWatch

As in past years, we survey residents to determine the key issues that you want to hear about from each of the candidates.  Each candidate will be asked to address the issues within their allotted time.

Click on the survey below or the image and tell us what matters to you.

2023 NSW State Election Candidate Forum – Seat of Heffron Survey

Survey closes 1 February 2023.

South Eveleigh & North Eveleigh Connectivity

You may be aware of our campaigns to ensure barrier-free access to the new southern concourse at Redfern station, and to build a new pedestrian bridge to connect South Eveleigh and North Eveleigh.

We’d love it if you could help by making a submission to those responsible. It won’t take long and we know from experience that individual submissions carry the most weight.

Please copy & paste the text below, modify it as you see fit, or even write your own. The easiest way is to use the contact forms linked here:

David Elliott
https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/ministers/minister-for-transport-veterans-and-western-sydney

Rob Stokes
https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/ministers/minister-for-infrastructure-cities-active-transport

Dominic Perrotet
https://www.nsw.gov.au/premier-of-nsw/contact-premier

Thanks, and Happy New Year!

Attn:       
   The NSW Minister for Transport and Roads, David Elliott
   The NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport, Rob Stokes
   The Premier of NSW, Dominic Perrotet
 
I am writing to express my concern about two key issues as a resident of Alexandria and urge you to take action immediately:

- Barrier free access at Redfern Station and
- The need for a bridge from South Eveleigh to North Eveleigh.


Barrier-free access at Redfern Station

It is important that barrier-free access is provided across the new Southern Concourse at Redfern Station.  Although we understand that Transport for NSW has indicated that the matter is still being considered if as I believe, this will still require an Opal Card or Credit Card to tap on and off, this presents a barrier to free access for the community.

I urge you to ensure that the Southern Concourse is barrier free.
 

Building a bridge between South and North Eveleigh

The NSW Government is undertaking several major developments in the area that will impact the whole area and see the increased use of this already busy transit hub.

Two of those proposed developments currently under consideration are rezoning proposals for the Paint Shop sub-precinct in North Eveleigh and the Large Erecting Shed in South Eveleigh.

Neither of these proposals commit to delivering the bridge connection that has been in the Redfern Waterloo Authority’s plans for the precinct since at least 2006.

The community has advocated for a bridge across the railway tracks in their submissions to the Department of Planning and Environment for these two proposals.

This bridge would be a vital connection to bring communities together and for easy access to key facilities such as the University of Sydney campus, Carriageworks and the Gibbons Street bus interchange.

I urge the NSW Government to commit to providing an active transport bridge across the railway tracks using the proceeds of the sale of Australian Technology Park.

This must be delivered as part of the redevelopment of land in North and South Eveleigh, and not delayed indefinitely.