NOTICE OF Extraordinary Council MEETING
PUBLIC SUPPLEMENTARY
AGENDA -B
An Extraordinary Council Meeting of City of Parramatta Council will be held in the Cloister Function Rooms, St Patrick's Cathedral, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta on Monday, 21 March 2022 at 6:30pm.
Brett Newman
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Extraordinary Council 21 March 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM SUBJECT PAGE NO
9 Public Forum
9.1 PUBLIC FORUM 1: Item 11.2 : Pre-exhibition - Planning Proposal, draft Development Control Plan and draft Planning Agreement for 195 Church Street, 65-79 Macquarie Street, 38 and 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta (St John's Anglican Church).......................................................................... 3
9.2 PUBLIC FORUM 2: Item 13.1 CBD Planning Proposal and DPE’s GML Heritage Report Concerns....................................................................... 4
9.3 PUBLIC FORUM 3: Item 13.1 CBD Planning Proposal and DPE’s GML Heritage Report Concerns....................................................................... 6
9.4 PUBLIC FORUM 4: Item 13.1 CBD Planning Proposal and DPE’s GML Heritage Report Concerns....................................................................... 7
9.5 PUBLIC FORUM 5: Item 13.2 CBD Planning Proposal Concerns Regarding Infrastructure Funding, Flooding and Design....................................... 9
9.6 PUBLIC FORUM 6: Item 13.2 CBD Planning Proposal concerns regarding infrastructure funding, flooding and design........................................ 11
Extraordinary Council 21 March 2022 Item 9.1
ITEM NUMBER 9.1
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 1: Item 11.2 : Pre-exhibition - Planning Proposal, draft Development Control Plan and draft Planning Agreement for 195 Church Street, 65-79 Macquarie Street, 38 and 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta (St John's Anglican Church)
REFERENCE RZ/5/2018 - D08455136
FROM Cheryl Bates, Chair, Parramatta Regional Branch, National Trust Parramatta Regional Branch.
I would express my concern that no report is available as of 3:00PM on Thursday 17 March 2022 to allow the community to make comment on this Agenda item.
The Parramatta Regional Branch has continued to voice their opposition to the magnitude of this development that will severely impact on this significant Parramatta heritage item that is equally important to the State of New South Wales and Australia.
In the absence of documentation being publicly available for this agenda item, we would like to restate points identified in our previous public forum submission on 21 February 2022. We focus on the developer’s insistence to demolish the Parish Hall.
The demolition of a heritage item should be based on whether the heritage item still maintains its level of significance and not whether a significant historical feature of the City of Parramatta can be traded off for some street art or some other “public purpose” simply because it is convenient for a developer to do so.
It is also my understanding that the removal of a heritage item from Schedule 5 of LEP 2011 requires the same process as including a heritage item in Schedule 5. The Parramatta Regional Branch, and many others would certainly respond negatively to any advertising to remove the heritage listing for St John’s Parish Hall. It is simply not good enough to say “delist” a heritage item without the proper heritage consideration being given to its removal from Schedule 5.
Section 7.5(1) of the EPA Act requires a planning agreement to be advertised.
In summary, and in the words of the Department in their letter to Council dated 8 September 2020, “There still remains no strong evidence to allow the removal of St John’s Parish Hall from the heritage schedule of Parramatta Local Environmental Plan”.
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Extraordinary Council 21 March 2022 Item 9.2
ITEM NUMBER 9.2
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 2: Item 13.1 CBD Planning Proposal and DPE’s GML Heritage Report Concerns
REFERENCE RZ/5/2018 - D08455119
My name is James Colman. I am an architect and planner with a particular interest in North Parramatta and its potential to become a special part of this great city. I am not a ratepayer but I am confident I speak for Sydney-siders everywhere who are unhappy with the current plans for the north. I strongly support Councillor Bradley's motion requesting the Department of Planning to immediately reconsider the advice which it received in 2018 from GML, one of the country's most respected heritage consultants. My reasons are as follows.
In their report, GML heritage consultants recommended - inter alia - that there should be no incentives for high rise development adjacent to heritage items and conservation area. The draft CBD Planning Proposal does the exact opposite.
In my expert opinion as an architect and urban designer, the surest way to destroy the amenity of an area rich in heritage is to allow high rise commercial development to proliferate. If Councillors seek evidence in support of this contention they need look no further than the graphic images in the Council's own report on the North East Planning Investigation Area of 2021.
Offering bonus floor space and additional height based on dubious claims of "design excellence" is a false policy. No matter that the building has been excellently designed: the higher the building, the longer the shadows. The pedestrian environment becomes more unpleasant. Sky views are lost and wind turbulence at street level is frequent. Any heritage item nearby will suffer. And the architectural incompatibility between heritage buildings and modern commercial towers is likely to be gross.
What people really want is design excellence at street level. That is asking for a miracle under the design excellence height incentive proposal.
Our Department of Planning is constantly calling for better place making, better urban design, and respect for heritage. Yet the same government is encouraging this Council to create a mini-CBD in the north, ignoring the expert advice from its own heritage consultants.
I remind the Department of Planning and Councillors that the CBD PP is not yet determined. For North Parra there is still time for both the Department and the Council to rethink.
And there is now an exciting new opportunity for the new Council to lead with a new plan which properly respects the unique and rich heritage of North Parramatta.
I strongly urge you to support Councillor Bradley's motion.
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Extraordinary Council 21 March 2022 Item 9.3
ITEM NUMBER 9.3
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 3: Item 13.1 CBD Planning Proposal and DPE’s GML Heritage Report Concerns
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08455409
FROM Cheryl Bates, Chair, National Trust Parramatta, Parramatta Regional Branch
Dear Lord Mayor and Councillors,
The National Trust (NSW) Parramatta Regional Branch fully support the Motion put forward by Councillor Phil Bradley as stated:
That Council write urgently to the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) requesting an immediate reconsideration of the CBD Planning Proposal previously referred to the DPE, given that insufficient consideration was previously given to the DPE’s own independent peer review GML Heritage Studies 2018 Report, which recommended inter alia there should be:
a. “no additional overshadowing of Prince Alfred Square, of St Patrick‘s Cathedral and School, All Saints Church or the North Parramatta, South Parramatta and Sorrell Street heritage conservation areas at any time”, and
b. “no additional height or incentive FSRs adjacent to heritage items and conservation areas”
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Extraordinary Council 21 March 2022 Item 9.4
ITEM NUMBER 9.4
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 4: Item 13.1 CBD Planning Proposal and DPE’s GML Heritage Report Concerns
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08455617
Thank you for allowing me to make this presentation to you, about probably the most important issue concerning the Council in this term. It will impact the direction, composition, and vision for our city’s growth (it could be for Good or BAD). Your decision tonight will remain long after you have left the Council Chambers. Here is your opportunity to fix the failures of previous Councils and Various Government Departments.
I strongly support Councillor Bradley’s motion requesting the Department of Planning to immediately reconsider the advice which it received in 2018 from GML, one of the country’s most respected heritage consultants. My reasons are as follows.
In their report, GML heritage consultants recommended - inter alia - that there should be no incentives for high rise development adjacent to heritage items and conservation area. The draft CBD Planning Proposal does the exact opposite.
In my opinion as a resident, the surest way to destroy the amenity of an area rich in heritage is to allow high rise commercial development to proliferate. For evidence, look no further than the graphic images in the Council’s own report on the North East Planning Investigation Area of 2021.
Offering bonus floor space and additional height based on dubious claims of “design excellence” is a false policy. No matter that the building has been excellently designed: the higher the building, the longer the shadows. The pedestrian environment has become more unpleasant. Sky views are lost and wind turbulence at street level is frequent. Any heritage item nearby will suffer. And the architectural incompatibility between heritage buildings and modern commercial towers is likely to be gross. We are fortunate in Parramatta to be entrusted with some wonderful Heritage and Cultural facilities and they need to be valued and protected.
What people really want is design excellence at street level. That is asking for a miracle under the current strategy of design excellence which offers height incentives which only incentivizes the developer to maximize their interests at the Communities loss.
The Department of Planning is constantly calling for better place making, better urban design, and respect for heritage. Yet the same government is encouraging this Council to create a mini-CBD in the north, ignoring the expert advice from its own heritage consultants.
Please be aware that it is not too late as the Department of Planning and Councillors that the CBD PP is not yet determined. For North Parra there is still time for both the Department and the Council to reconsider the proposed strategy where there is a complementary development of the sensitive Heritage and cultural areas.
And there is now an exciting opportunity for the new Council to lead with a new visionary plan which properly respects the unique and rich heritage of North Parramatta.
In the interest of the Council, the City of Parramatta and the CBD area that surrounds, now is your chance to make a difference by endorsing this motion before Council.
Thank you for your time in considering my presentation.
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Extraordinary Council 21 March 2022 Item 9.5
ITEM NUMBER 9.5
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 5: Item 13.2 CBD Planning Proposal Concerns Regarding Infrastructure Funding, Flooding and Design
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08455646
Thank you for allowing me to make this presentation to you, about probably the most important issue concerning the Council in this term. It will impact the direction, composition, and vision for our city’s growth (it could be for Good or BAD). Your decision tonight will remain long after you have left the Council Chambers. Here is your opportunity to fix the failures of previous Councils and Various Government Departments.
I strongly support Councillor Bradley’s request for the Department of Planning to carefully reconsider the CBD Planning Proposal having regard to the reasons set out in his motion.
Regarding Item 2 of the motion, I understand that the Council has not yet endorsed a CBD flood evacuation plan, contrary to official SES advice in the light of the past and recent major floods. That could be an irresponsible position for the Council to take.
Regarding Item 3 of the Motion, I understand that the Council has not yet received up-to-date official serial flood modelling for the CBD. In my opinion it would also be irresponsible for the Council to work towards finalization of the CBD PP before that modelling is available.
With regard to Item 4 of Councillor Bradley’s motion, I draw Councillors’ attention to the fact that our Department of Planning, along with the Government Architect and the Greater Sydney Commission, is constantly calling for better place making – more effective public consultation – better and more sustainable urban design – respect for heritage - and so on. Yet the same government through its Gateway process is encouraging this Council to create a mini-Manhattan in this heritage-rich precinct. This surely is blatant official hypocrisy.
In addition to the above issues, is the stupidity, complexity and overlay of at least 15 (possible More) strategies, visions other planning instruments that make the development and coherent planning of such a significant are as the North Parramatta zone (including amongst others);
A. Parramatta Park.
B. Cumberland Hospital Precinct (East and West)
C. Wisteria Gardens
D. The Fleet St Conglomeration of heritage buildings
E. The Parramatta Goal etc.
All worth of National Heritage listing and protection.
Now is an opportunity to exclude these areas from the study and conduct are singular review of the various strategies and plans so that a coherent vision is achieved that will be supported by the public. They do not sit well with the proposed CBD PP Plan and often conflict, there are numerous example were other Cities have encountered the challenges of Growth and significant Cultural and heritage areas adjoining.
The Department of Planning and Councillors will know that the CBD Planning Proposal is not yet determined. For North Parra there is still time for both the Department and the Council to rethink, as Councillor Bradley requests.
And there is now an exciting opportunity for the new Council to lead with a new visionary plan which properly respects the unique and rich heritage of North Parramatta.
In the interest of the Council, the City of Parramatta and the CBD area that surrounds, now is your chance to make a difference by endorsing this motion before Council.
Thank you for your time in considering my presentation.
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.
There are no attachments for this report.
Extraordinary Council 21 March 2022 Item 9.6
ITEM NUMBER 9.6
SUBJECT PUBLIC FORUM 6: Item 13.2 CBD Planning Proposal concerns regarding infrastructure funding, flooding and design
REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08455127
My name is James Colman. I am an architect and planner with a particular interest in North Parramatta , its heritage, and its potential to become a special part of this great city. I am not a ratepayer but I am confident I speak for Sydney-siders everywhere who are unhappy with the current plans for the north. I strongly support Councillor Bradley's request for the Department of Planning to carefully reconsider the CBD Planning Proposal having regard to the reasons set out in his motion.
Regarding Item 2 of the motion, I understand that the Council has not yet endorsed a CBD flood evacuation plan, contrary to official SES advice in the light of the past and recent major floods. That could be an irresponsible position for the Council to take.
Regarding Item 3 of the Motion, I understand that the Council has not yet received up-to-date official serial flood modelling for the CBD. In my opinion it would also be irresponsible for the Council to work towards finalization of the CBD PP before that modelling is available.
With regard to Item 4 of Councillor Bradley's motion, I draw Councillors’ attention to the fact that our Department of Planning, along with the Government Architect and the Greater Sydney Commission, is constantly calling for better place making -more effective public consultation -better and more sustainable urban design -respect for heritage -and so on. Yet the government through its Gateway process is encouraging this Council to create a mini-Manhattan in this heritage-rich precinct. This surely is blatant official hypocrisy.
The Department of Planning and Councillors will know that the CBD Planning Proposal is not yet determined. For North Parra there is still time for both the Department and the Council to rethink, as Councillor Bradley requests.
I would add my personal view that there is also an exciting new opportunity for the new Council to lead with a new plan for NP. South of the river is OK -but for the north: a new vision -and a new plan are what is needed.
Now, I strongly urge you to support Councillor Bradley's important motion.
STAFF RESPONSE
No staff response provided.