Music Festival to protest destruction of Sydney Park for WasteCONnex tollway

Posted on 28 September, 2016 by garyspeechley

This post is sourced from http://www.westconnexactiongroup.org.au/music_festival_protest_destruction_sydney_park_westconnex_tollway to inform members and friends of the Alexandria Residents’ Action Group.

THOUSANDS of people will flock to St Peters on the October Long Weekend to protest the destruction of Sydney Park and support the anti-WestConnex blockade.

The Save Sydney Park Festival is being organised by Reclaim The Streets (RTS) and WestCONnex Action Group (WAG), and will feature multiple stages. Local acts will play everything from Chicago house to UK garage, hip hop, jungle, and drum and bass.

The family-friendly festival will be held on the Euston Road side of Sydney Park, which residents have occupied around the clock since 19 September to prevent the destruction of hundreds of trees for WestConnex. It will start at 1pm on Saturday 1 October and end at sunset.

“Where we see a park, Casino Mike sees an opportunity to sell us out,” said RTS spokesperson James Loch.

“The Baird government cares only for the profits of their major donors, but we care about every inch of our precious green space.

“If money grew on trees, you can bet they wouldn’t be cutting them down in Sydney Park.

“We will not let them trade in our beautiful park for their dirty toll road,” said Mr Loch.

“If Mike Baird gets his way, over 14,000 square metres of Sydney Park and hundreds of trees in it will be destroyed for WestConnex,” said WAG spokesperson Janet Dandy-Ward.

“They’re planning to ‘replace’ these devastating losses with what may be the world’s worst park: some ‘green space’ under the massive flyovers and unfiltered pollution stacks of the monstrous St Peters Interchange.

“The community has had enough of Mike Baird selling us out to his toll road mates, and we’re delighted to team up with Reclaim the Streets again to help stop WestConnex,” said Ms Dandy-Ward.

Contacts: James Loch 0403 601 511, Amanda Sordes 0479 101 272

Poster artwork available on request. Facebook event page: bit.ly/savesydparkfest

Reclaim The Streets has a long history of large, colourful protest festivals. View photos of previous events on Facebook at bit.ly/rtsalbum1, bit.ly/rtsalbum2, bit.ly/rtsalbum3 and bit.ly/rtsalbum4

Continue reading →

Confirming the future of “The Alex”

Posted on 28 September, 2016 by garyspeechley

This message was today received from the City of Sydney:
28-Sep-2016

SITE: 35 HENDERSON ROAD , EVELEIGH NSW 2015, 39 HENDERSON ROAD , EVELEIGH NSW 2015, 33 GARDEN STREET , EVELEIGH NSW 2015, 31 GARDEN STREET , EVELEIGH NSW 2015

PROPOSAL: PROPOSED MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT ADJACENT TO AND WITHIN THE ALEXANDRIA HOTEL SITE. PROPOSAL INCLUDES RETAINING THE HOTEL USE FOR THE ALEXANDRIA HOTEL, INCLUDING A COURTYARD ADJACENT HENDERSON ROAD. AT THE REAR OF THE HOTEL, A 7 STOREY RESIDENTIAL FLAT BUILDING IS PROPOSED CONSISTING OF 26 UNITS, A GROUND FLOOR COMMERCIAL PREMISES FRONTING GARDEN STREET AND A COMMUNAL ROOFTOP TERRACE. SUBDIVISION OF CURRENT 4 LOTS INTO 2 LOTS IS ALSO PROPOSED. Continue reading →

Live near Alex Park School? Design your new neighbour.

Posted on 24 September, 2016 by Ben Aveling

The Department of Education has contacted ARAG. They want your input into their plans for the redevelopment of what is currently the Alexandria Park Community School Senior Campus, on Mitchell Road. Continue reading →

New threat to Sydney Park

Posted on 11 September, 2016 by Ben Aveling

If WestConnex were not enough, there is a proposal to build a six storey, 400+ apartment building in the middle of Sydney Park.

The proposed new development will replace what is currently a low rise warehouse/office building that is tucked behind a row of trees next to the lakes.

The full details are yet to be released, but we do know that the new buildings will be considerably taller than the surrounding trees and will be hard up against the boundaries with Sydney Park.

There is even a suggestion that the new complex will be called Sydney Park.

Formal objections have closed, but we are told that if an objection is received by the end of this week, it will still be considered.

We have prepared a suggested template that you might like to use as the starting point for your own objection – we strongly encourage you explain in your own words why this development matters to – it just carries more weight if you use your own words and talk about the things that matter to you.

Objections should be sent to RHand@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au ASAP, but definitely by 16/9.

September meeting: The Alex Hotel is saved, come and meet new owner Justin Hemmes

Posted on 2 September, 2016 by Ben Aveling

We have a very special guest for this meeting. Justin Hemmes, the proud new owner of the Alexandria Hotel, will be talking to us about the future. rejuvenation of the Alex and seeking our input.

Come and hear how the Alex was saved, and discuss what happens next.

There will also be a quick update on WestConnex and the ATP.

Meeting starts 7pm, Wednesday 14 September, at Alexandria Town Hall, 73 Garden St.

The Alex has been SAVED!!!

Posted on 11 August, 2016 by garyspeechley

In astonishing news released today, it has been announced that plans to re-develop the Alexandria Hotel site have been scrapped.

The developers have walked away – tails between their legs – after selling the site to the Merivale group who plan to renovate the Alex and re-open it as a pub.

This is an ASTOUNDING victory for the residents of Alexandria who rallied, repeatedly, to save the Alex. The drive of people such as Ben and Michelle and countless other Alexandria residents shows that communities can achieve strong outcomes.

The drive and persistence shown by all has been memorable.

It could have been too easy to lie down after the first development proposal was rejected, and say “job done”. But developers are persistent beasts.

To rally again to reject the seven-storey proposal provided proof that Alexandrians are prepared to fight, HARD, for what they believe in.

The Alexandria Residents’ Action Group congratulates you all for your success today.

It’s an Alexandria “Castle” moment – and we hope one of many more to come.

Developers were clearly shown how the “vibe” of Alexandria works!

The community has had success in changing development outcomes, including the changed design of the Mitchell Road Auction Centre site, but winning against a consortium of Property Unit Trust investors to save the Alex is huge.

Merivale have created a website where we, as residents, are invited to contribute ideas and energy to the renovation of the Alex. Sign up here to get involved.

The Merivale press release document is here: Merivale saves The Alex.

The Alexandria Residents’ Action Group also would like to thank the staff of the City of Sydney who were able to secure an interim Heritage Order on the Alex and who engaged a legal team to include us, the residents, at the Land and Environment Court.

The fact that the legal team engaged us as residents and worked with us to have our objections and ideas reformulated to maximise our impact before the L&E Court is greatly appreciated, but also recognises that objections from communities like ours cannot be merely brushed aside as if coming from an anti-development ratbag fringe.

In other news, the pop-up kitchens that were announced last week have been dropped.

Council Elections: Candidates’ Forum – Wednesday 10th August

Posted on 7 August, 2016 by garyspeechley

The City of Sydney Council Elections are to be held in September.

Wednesday 10th August is ARAG’s regular monthly meeting and once again we are teaming with REDwatch, Friends of Erskineville and Chippendale Residents’ Interest Group to host another Candidates’ Forum.

Be at the Alexandria Town Hall in Garden Street to hear the candidates speak on issues relevant to Alexandria, and to ask your questions. Be informed before you vote. Continue reading →

Alexandria Hotel – another reprieve

Posted on 4 August, 2016 by garyspeechley

Today, 4th August 2016 an on-site meeting of the Land and Environment Court was scheduled to hear residents’ objections in relation to the proposed seven-storey development for the beer garden of the Alexandria Hotel.

This latest tilt at windmills by the proponents aims to retain the hotel and the small beer garden on the western edge and to subdivide the land into two lots – one for the pub and the other for a seven-storey residential tower fronting Garden Street in the east, and a wider frontage to Vice Chancellors Oval to the west. Continue reading →

Public Meeting: WestConnex and Central to Eveleigh

Posted on 21 July, 2016 by Ben Aveling

Lord Mayor Clover Moore will be holding a public meeting to discuss WestConnex and the Central to Eveleigh Precinct, on Wednesday 27 July from 6.30pm at Alexandria Town Hall, Garden Street, Alexandria.

ARAG encourages all local residents to attend. This is the future of our suburb being discussed.

Lord Mayor’s Invitation to WestConnex and Central to Eveleigh public meeting

Do you rely on train services at St Peters or Erskineville?

Posted on 21 July, 2016 by Ben Aveling

Jenny Leong’s office is soliciting comments from residents who will be impacted by the Baird government’s plan to reduce train services to St Peters and Erskineville Stations: http://www.jennyleong.org/train_services.