http://erskinevillevillage.org/ protecting our Erskineville Village life, part of the City of Villages en-us Nucleus CMS v3.24 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://erskinevillevillage.org//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://erskinevillevillage.org/ http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=27 Sunday, 16 March 2008

Our Sizzle was a great success, thank you for joining us and making it such a wonderful community day.On the day 336 new signatures were received for our petition to Council.We cooked and sold over 500 sausages!!!!. We raised $4,003.95.

The City of Sydney Council was represented by Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, Deputy Lord Mayor Tony Pooley, Councilors Phillip Black, Chris Harris, Marcelle Hoff, Robyn Kemmis and John McInerney.

Apologies were received from Councilors Shayne Mallard & Verity Firth

Claire Buchanan, Public Relations Manager of Woolworths was observed in the crowd.

Our Community Support


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The Entertainment.......DJ Sue Wood, Singer Linda Hansen



The Sizzle.....Preparation





The Sizzle Cook Up....500 Sausages !!





The Petition: 336 new signatures were added to the thousands of signatures already collected.



Speakers at Our Sizzle: MC Brett Mason:

Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, Councillor Marcelle Hoff, Annie Kennedy Producer Erskineville Stories, Saso Bosevski Deli Eskineville.







Consulting with Local Resident



The Drawing of the Raffle Prizes:



Thanks to Robyn O'Grady: Sizzle Organiser.




Official Photographer: Andrew Stuckgold

We received the following very generous donations to support our Sizzle.

Antoun of The Baker
150 Rolls, 15 Loaves of bread
Andrew Stuckgold
Penny Barraclough
$100.00 for balloons
Bitton Gourmet
$150.00
Cafe Sophia
$100.00
Erskineville Veterinary Clinic
$200.00
Erskineville Supermarket
$200.00
Erskineville Newsagency
$50.00
Floral Decorator
$35.00 Voucher
Foodworks Kings St Newtown
Sausages 10kg
Tomatoes Sauce 12 bottles
Paper plates 240
Serviettes 10 packs x 100
Water 120 bottles
Coke 120 bottles
Franklins King St Newtown
500 Sausages
10 Boxes of drinks
Rose of Australia Hotel
Dinner for two with wine in their great restaurant
Four VIP passes to see Sugarland (from USA) and the McClymont Sisters at Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst.
Value:$160
]]> 10. Sausage Sizzle http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=27 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:37:20 +1000 http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=26
Dear Sir/Madam,

Your proposal regarding car parking capacity for the proposed Woolworths development on Erskineville Road is either ludicrously inept or duplicitous and devious. Either way it’s not good.
There are a number of angry, upset residents in Erskineville who feel that their legitimate interests and concerns have been overridden by your proposal, and in particular the lack of appropriate community consultation.
No doubt such objections will be interpreted and ‘spun’ as anti-development. However, I don’t believe this to be the case. The residents of Erskineville are aware that they live in a privileged part of Sydney which has managed to avoid being engulfed by inappropriate and insensitive development. They are understandably keen to preserve the quality of life they have and which the village like atmosphere of Erskineville offers.
We respectfully ask you to place a hold on your development application pending a proper social impact study and broader community consultation than that initially performed. The demands of the Friends of Erskineville deserve to be heard and treated with respect.

We look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
M B & F R
Residents of Erskineville


I'm writing to oppose the planned Woolworths store in Erskineville
Road. I think that a store there will impose an enormous burden on
the surrounding streets. The area is already very heavy with
traffic, and the influx of many shoppers will make it worse.
Delivery vehicles will also take a great toll on the local area.
The nearby Ashmore industrial estate has good access and lots of room
for parking. Couldn't Woolworths look at this far more suitable site?

Yours sincerely

K K

As a long term resident (27 yrs) of Newman street, Newtown I am deeply concerned about this development. The traffic congestion, parking problems and noise in this area have steadily increased making the area more frustrating and unpleasant to live in. I both walk and drive to do my shopping and do not think we need another supermarket, particularly in this location and especially given the other supermarkets or extensions which are being planned.
I am particularly worried about the movement of trucks in an already congested and increasingly noisy area - a family member living in Surry Hills has had many problems with trucks both within and outside curfew times. No they don't stick to their curfew. I have little confidence in Woolworths responding to community concerns if their supermarket is built.
I would like to see an independent social impact and traffic study. I don't think this development is in keeping with the Council's strategic plan for Erskineville village and would like to see a development more sympathetic to the area.

Yours
Sincerely
W S

To Whom It May Concern
I am writing to you as a concerned resident of Erskineville about Woolworths' intention to apply for occupancy of the site in Erskineville on the corner of Erskineville Road and Gowrie Street. I have lodged an objection letter to the City of Sydney Council outlining my strong opposition to the proposed development on the following grounds:

1. Traffic - The streets of Erskineville are already experiencing major traffic congestion, especially in peak hours. A Supermarket development will have a disastrous effect on traffic flow through and around the narrow streets of our suburb.

2. Parking - The provision by the developer to provide 27 car spaces for a Supermarket development of this size is simply ludicrous. The residents are already finding parking outside or even near their homes extremely difficult especially on weekends.

3. Noise pollution in this quiet residential area - the amount of noise the immediate residents will be forced to endure which will be created by delivery trucks accessing the store both inside and outside trading hours, will be excessive. Our research on similarly sized Supermarkets has shown that delivery people often ignore the imposed curfews in order to get their goods delivered as quickly as possible allowing them to move on to the next store. More goods delivered equals more money.

4. The ruination of our village atmosphere. Erskineville is a unique oasis in a bustling city. It has an amazing village atmosphere which, in an inner-city suburb is quite rare. The reason for this wonderful atmosphere and sense of community is largely because of the small businesses, pubs, cafes and restaurants on Erskineville Road which create meeting places for the locals as well as outside visitors. A Supermarket development like Woolworths with its brash lighting and its over-the-top presence will not fit into our village.

The residents of Eskineville are very passionate about their suburb and protecting the village atmosphere from a corporate giant such as Woolworths who have no empathy or understanding of such sensibilites and as a matter of doing every day business quite openly and viciously undercut their competitors often sending businesses bankrupt in the process.

Our area is well serviced by Supermarkets, we neither want your store in our suburb nor do we need it. Should this ridiculously inappropriate development go ahead, you will find very little support in our community and we will do our utmost to ensure the locals do not patronise the store.

Sincerely
M F

I wish to express my concern at the proposed development at the corner of Gowrie Street in Erskineville.

Such a development is totally out of keeping with the newly created Sydney City of Villages and would have a detrimental effect on local small businesses and local residents. You would already be aware of the list of disadvantages of such a proposal and apart from profit for a few, it is difficult to think of any advantages. There are already two other supermarkets within a short walking distance of Erskineville.

A development that is not wanted by a local community is not destined for success. You could check with the Woolworths in Maleny in Queensland. This development went ahead without local approval and is still not supported by locals.

I wish to endorse the outcomes of the community meeting held on Thursday 6 December 2007.

A development of the type being proposed is not only old fashioned, but is out of touch with community wishes.

Sincerely
A Q
Resident of Alexandria

We have been residents in Gowrie street for fifteen years and are very concerned with the planned development for the Hive site for Woolworths.
We have watched with pleasure over the years as the village atmosphere of Erskineville/Newtown has continuously improved. It is a delight coming home through Erskineville, seeing people spilling out onto the pathways, eating and stopping to chat outside the shops, cafes and pubs, especially when the flower boxes are out. The area really has developed a lovely community atmosphere, with small business owners knowing in many cases their customers by name (not to mention their dogs names). A large development such as Woolworths could have a serious impact on some of these businesses that have built up their their business over many years, as well as destroying the overall atmosphere of the area that their demise would bring about.
I can't even begin to imagine the impact of increased traffic, noise and parking problems this site would have not only on the lives of those families living around the site, but also surrounding streets with trucks and extra traffic coming into the area. Not to mention the effect on property prices of those homes in the surrounding streets. If Woolworths had been at the top of the street 15 years ago I never would have bought here.
The very least we would expect for any development would be comprehensive consultation with affected residents/landlords, along with independent traffic, retail and social impact studies. I cannot understand why these studies or consultations have not been undertaken with regard to the present proposal. Instead we get in the mail what seemed to me to be a “propaganda” leaflet from Woolworths.
Please consider the impact on the community. There is already a Woolworths close by, frequented by people in the community where you are able to provide ample parking and little impact on surrounding residents. Don't risk your business reputation by pursuing such a questionable development in a community that as far as I can see really doesn't want or need it.
Yours sincerely

J D

Dear Sir/Madam

As a resident in the Erskineville area I am disappointed with a proposal to develop a new two-storey supermarket in the Erskineville area. This would cause more chaos to residents than it would provide a convenience. It will also destroy the village feel of our community, something which is valued as part of living in the area.
We already have adequate supermarkets in close proximity and do not need another one as it would cause problems with:

• Traffic congestion
• Parking availability
• Discarded shopping trolleys in local streets
• Noise from traffic and trucks
• Viability of local small businesses

These are a few of the major areas of concern.
Currently I do most of my grocery shopping at Woolworths in Marrickville Metro. If the supermarket development goes ahead with any involvement from Woolworths, I for one will transfer my business to one of the other supermarket companies in the local area.
Regards
L B
Harold St

Dear C Buchanan

I am writing this letter to inform you that I am opposed to the development of a two storey supermarket at 21-23 Erskineville Rd. I have expressed this to Sydney City Council because of increased traffic in the local village area, increased pollution (toxicity and noise), lack of parking and road safety.

I understand your organisation will lease the proposed development for a supermarket, as you had not denied it.

Artro Management has claimed that the development application says it will cater for people to buy small amounts. Can I assume that Woolworths will not make available petrol discounts to its customers at this location ? Is this correct?

You may be aware that both Newtown and Erskineville stations do not have disability access. The question of equity of access of all of Woolworth’s customers is of prime importance and your supermarket needs to actively discourage your customers coming by car, catering for “people with small amount of groceries” quoting Artro Management (SMH 15-16 Dec. 2007 p. 7). How does Woolworths plan to overcome this problem?

C S
Rochford St
Erskineville 2043

Just a very short note to say that in the event that Woolworths takes a lease on the Erskineville Road “Hive” site, my family and I will not shop at the establishment, nor any other Woolworths, it's online franchises or associated businesses. We’re very happy to vote with our feet and wallets if your company chooses to blatantly disregard the community’s wishes. As a marketer with 15yrs experience I don’t think Woolworths are doing their brand any favours in being associated with this development. I can only assume that the deafening silence from Woolworths is as good as indicating that the company is poised to impose itself onto the site with the associated impacts. So what’s the plan?
If I wanted to live next to a soulless mall and it’s tenants – I’d choose to reside at Marrickville beside the Metro or in the shadow of the Broadway Centre. I don’t.
I'm alarmed at the impact that siting a supermarket on Erskineville Road will have on resident parking, traffic congestion, security, trolleys dumped in the parks and disrupted amenity to the surrounding streets as a result of the operation of supermarket.
As a local resident I recall the failure of the “Golden Arches” to prosper in Newtown. Those who fail to heed the lessons of history are doomed repeat them.

Your sincerely,

T H & family
Woolworths Customer

To Whom It May Concern:

I’d like to acknowledge that I will be boycotting any Woolworths that is placed in Erskineville Road.
Indeed, I will still continue to shop at Marrickville Metro and will not go to the Woolworths there again if the current DA is successful.
Yours sincerely.
Dr R P

C Buchanan
Please understand that our household will not enter your premises if a supermarket is developed in Erskineville. Hence none of your goods will be bought by us. Erskineville is already well served by supermarkets. We do not want any more of them in this area.
In addition to your redundancy, issues of traffic congestion, noise, air pollution and general nuisance arise.
We hope you will discontinue your pursuit of development in Erskineville.
P K
Rochford St,
Erskineville.

Dear Ms Buchanan
please listen to the residents of Newtown and Erskineville
over 2000 people have signed petitions opposing this development
over 2000 people have registered to receive regular updates on this development
over 200 people turned up to the Community Consultation night and many others had to be turned away due to lack of room. The 5 part motion was passed unanimously by those present.
over 140 already written letters of objection to Mayor Clover Moore and fellow councillors.
Regards
V R

To Whom it may concern

As a concerned resident of Erskineville I feel it necessary to register my feelings about the proposed development on the corner of Erskineville Road and Gowrie Street.
As you are probably aware the fact that we as locals call this area Erskineville Village we would like to keep it feeling like a village and the inclusion of a large supermarket would go a long way to spoiling that.
We already have two supermarkets in King Street and a Woolworths supermarket just ten minutes away in Marrickville Metro and therefore do not see the need for another one in the area.
I also feel concern for the residents of Gowrie Street and Newman Lane who will be subjected to the distruption of a large development and when completed the never ending deliveries by trucks until late at night.
I hope that Woolworths will take all of this into consideration and will not spoil the ambience of this area.

A concerned resident of 24 years.
P V

We do not want a woolworths in our community. Development and gentrification of the city spilling over to the inner west is not welcome. Please re-consider this development.

D P Botany Rd
Waterloo

I am yet enother Erskineville resident who has written to council opposing your development application for the old Mardi Gras workshop site on Erskineville Road.

Not only don't we need the truck and car traffic and consequent road congestion, pollution, parking, safety and noise issues that they bring, we don't even need another supermarket. We're already well served by supermarkets in the area. Where do you think I go to do a big shop? To your store at the Marrickville Metro centre, as do most of the people I know who live in the Newtown, Alexandria, Camperdown and Erskineville area. Opening a store in Erskineville will only decrease the sales at your Metro store. Let's face it, you don't have much of a track record of running commercially viable supermarkets in our area anyway - take a look at the stores you used to have in King St Newtown and Regent St Redfern as great examples.

M F
Morrissey Road
Erskineville

To whom it may concernI am a resident of Erskineville who has recently been
made aware of the DA for a two storey supermarket
complex on Erskineville Road. The residents understand
that Woolworths is planning to open an outlet in the
site.

Please be aware that if this development goes ahead, I
will be boycotting the Woolworths supermarket and will
be encouraging my friends and acquaintances in the
area to do the same.

Sincerely
P H

Dear Sir

As a resident of Alexandria at 00 Copeland Street which is the continuation of Erskinville Road to the east, I strongly object to your proposal for a Woolworth's Supermarket in Erskineville on the following grounds:
Increased traffic on Erskinville Road into an area that has over stretched infrastructure e.g. roads
Not fitting with the Village atmosphere
Damaging Small Business e.g. Mini Market and Deli through increased competition and pricing
There already is enough Supermarkets in adjoining Suburbs
I urge you to reasse your proposal.
Regards
R P

Dear Woolworths,

Your proposed development will forever change the character of our village
and community which is small and vibrant. Myself and many others in the
area moved to Erskineville to enjoy the village atmosphere and escape the
mundane town centres of many other areas. I hope you take the extensive
public opposition to your proposal into account and find somewhere else to
base your development.

Regards,
P K

Hi there,

I'm writing to you to express my opposition to the proposed
supermarket development of the "Hive" building in Erskineville. Our
village is already well served by existing supermarkets, including
the Woolworths at Marrickville Metro, as well as Franklins and
Foodworks on King St. Since people rarely walk very far to the
supermarket, opening a supermarket at the proposed location will
create a traffic and noise nightmare for those who live around it
(this doesn't include me - I live far enough down the next street so
as not to be affected directly). Furthermore, the buying power and
extended trading hours of Woolworths will likely wipe out the
existing convenience store and greengrocer in the village.

Please bear in mind, this isn't necessarily a case of "they don't
want us, so there must be a REALLY good reason why we SHOULD move in"
- most of the down-sides (for residents and other businesses) of
Woolworths moving in are not associated with corresponding up-sides
for Woolworths:

- local area community support, and therefore patronage, is likely to
be very low, since most locals don't actually want the proposed
supermarket
- community opposition and lack of patronage is likely to be a
long-term effect, considering the (typically more informed and aware)
nature of residents (consumers) in this area
- while the proposed supermarket may well bleed off enough support
from the nearby local shops that they go out of business, that is
unlikely to yield enough extra sales volume to have been worthwhile
- the location is poorly served by road infrastructure, so the store
will not be able to draw much patronage from further afield (where
the awareness of and resentment towards the development will
presumably be lower)

Don't get me wrong - I think there is a place for big-chain
supermarkets (otherwise I would not do my regular weekly shopping at
the Marrickville Metro Woolworths) - but Erskineville village is not
such a place. Furthermore, I believe there should be worthwhile
development of that site - just not as Yet Another Supermarket.

Please consider our community, and reconsider your Development Application.

Sincerely,
R D
Union St
Erskineville

Subject: Concern about Over Development in Erskineville

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I write in opposition to Development Application D/2007/1932, address 21-23 Erskineville Road Erskineville NSW 2042.

I have been an Erskineville resident for the last 6 years. Our strip of small businesses provides a great array of goods and services and acts as the hub of our day to day activities. I strongly believe that the presence of one of your supermarkets in our area would lead to the death of our enviable way of life. I implore you to consider withdrawing your DA. From my neighbours, it is clear to me that at the very least, if your plans go ahead, there will be a mass boycott from those living in Erskineville. We have a strong sense of commitment for our wonderful local shop owners, many of whom live in our area. There is also a strong sense of commitment to the owners of the nearby supermarkets in Newtown, both from Erskineville and Newtown residents. We do not need another supermarket.

This would be reason enough although I am also strongly against the presence of all of the service vehicles that would be required, their traffic impacts, noise impacts and environmental impacts. I believe attracting more cars to the already clogged artery of Erskineville Road would increase the safety issues of the area not to mention worsening the pollution caused by all of this traffic. There is no way to deny that people will drive to a supermarket at this location. It is too far from any of the train stations to cart bags of shopping. People will drive. This will further impact traffic problems, pollution and safety issues. The mess that will be created with all of these vehicles trying to enter and exit the lanes around the development is clear.

Finally there is the obvious problem of parking that the DA fails to adequately address. The recommended number of car parking spots will barely suffice for the employees. The increased parking pressure will have a significant impact on the local residents. Local businesses already complain that there is nowhere for their customers to park when they come to Erskineville to use their services.

Yours sincerely,
I F
George Street
Erskineville

Dear Woolworths,

I beg you to please consider an alternative site to the Erskineville village.

I live on the Alexandria side of Erksineville (close to McEvoy St) where there is a complete lack of shops and services. We are in desparate need of a supermarket on our side of Erksineville and I know that there is continual new development in our area that will only strengthen this demand. There is also much more space for large stores and their associated car parks and traffic congestion in and aruond the factories of Alexandria and Waterloo. I love being able to pop into my local shops in the village on the way home from the train, but what we really need is a supermarket on the industrial side of Erksineville.

Surely if you have considered the changing structure of the area you would see that these industrial areas are becoming increasingly populated and will only continue to do so. By putting a supermarket there you would not only service the exisiting residents who currently have to drive to the Metro or Broadway, you would also be servicing the future generations that are certain to continue to fill these areas.

I ask please that you leave what little unique areas - like the Erko village - that Sydney has and look towards a more suitable and future prospective venues that can be found nearby.

Regards,

P E

Dear sir/madam,
I am sending you this email as a resident of the inner west of Sydney
who loves the village atmosphere of suburbs such as Erskineville. I
also happen to be a Woolworths shareholder and a regular shopper at your
stores in Marrickville and Leichhardt.
If you proceed with this development I will seriously consider taking my
business and my money elsewhere.
Australian shareholders are demanding of all corporations that they take
account of the environmental and social impacts of their business
activities. Woolworths is no exception. Ethical investment is proving to
be a highly successful strategy for investors who are increasingly
voting with their dollars to support companies which prove themselves to
be socially and environmentally responsible.
As a shareholder since the Woolworths float, I implore your company not
to build this supermarket in its current proposed form. It spells
disaster for the village of Erskineville just on the traffic and parking
impacts alone.
I note that you used to run the supermarket in Newtown but that it was
sold in the past few years. If you do not want to run a supermarket in
Newtown, why open one in Erskineville?
Please consider very carefully the impacts your current proposal will
have on the local community. If you want this community to support your
business don't destroy it!

Kind Regards
G R

Hi there,

I am definitely opposed of this development.
I do not want the traffic increased here more than it already is.
I definitely oppose the trucks passing in front of my home.
I do not want to have parking issues in front of my home.
I do not want any more noise in this area.
Nobody needs another supermarket in this area! We are surrounded already with them!

Regards,
P

Dear Woolworths,

Please do not develope he Erskineville Road/Angel Street site as a Woolworths. It would pay you to look to the future and instead provide a large Woolworths in Alexandria or Green Square. I do prefer Woolworths to Coles but the Woolworths at Marrickkville is just too busy.

Apparently it will be quite large and threaten the livelihood of our shopkeepers in Erskineville who are all personal friends to the residents by now.

Other problems with the development are the delivery trucks in the narrow one way streets, all the traffic of people coming to shop and the difficulty for local people to park already in front of their hosues as most don't have off-street parking in Erko.

The other problems will be increased litter and shopping trolleys left all over the suburb as our governments still have not worked out how to stop shopping trolleys leaving a shopping centre.

There are still sites in Newtown, which is better served by public transport, for a supermarket.
The historic Hub theatre (my great-aunts worked there in the early 20th century) has never been restored and may as well be a supermarket if it's going to sit there in ruins forever.

Erskineville would be better served by a gym/pool/theatre centre.

R W
Renwick St
Alexandria
(previously Smiths Lane
Erskineville)

I live in Alexandria, the feel in my area is that your company is not welcome
We have a unique suburb and you will be a major negative
Please go way
Thanks,

J Z

Dear C. Buchanan,

I am writing to implore you to reconsider your plan to install a Woolworths on Erskineville Road. The community seem to expend an enormous amount of energy on a regular basis fighting to keep our community a village. Another supermarket will do nothing to help our determination and we will oppose this type of development every step of the way.

I invite you to come down to our end of the woods and walk down Erskineville Road from Newtown Station to Erskineville Station. Please drive here around 5pm so you can experience the traffic congestion and how difficult it is to find parking. But on a positive note and most importantly, when you start walking you will then feel the vibe of our village. It is quite unique in Sydney and many new residents have bought in the area expressly for this charming local and bohemian atmosphere. It is wonderful to stop and have a coffee or drink, and relax and chat to the locals walking by.

I am sure you are well aware that there is a Foodworks and a Franklins within 5 minutes walk from the Hive site and that a third supermarket will simply be overkill. It will cause great resentment and it would not surprise me if the local community boycotted the store.

I am sure there are much better sites and opportunities for Woolworths to expand. Woolworths at Marrickville Metro is already the main supermarket for us locals with a direct bus route. So you will not endear us any further by clogging our already congested roads, endangering our pedestrians with your trucks and taking up our precious parking spaces with your unnecessary plan. Please reconsider your plan immediately.

Kind regards,
S S
Local resident (for 11 years) parent

Dear Sir/Madam

I'm writing to express my concern about the proposed development of a Woolworths store on the corner of Erskineville Road and Gowie Street. My husband and I have owned a house in Erskineville for 3 years now, one of the main reasons that we were attracted to the area was the 'village' aspect. The local cafe's, fruit shop, convenience store, florist and other restaurants add to the flavour of this beautiful little village.

We do all our shopping at Woolworths in Marrickville Metro which is a 5 minute drive from Erskineville, therefore we don't understand the need for another Woolworths in the area. Also opening up another Woolworths store so close to Erskineville village will have a negative impact on small retail business owners in the area. Does Woolworths really want to be responsible for these small business closing down? Apart from the moral issues here, traffic congestion in this area is bad enough, Erskineville Road is a 2 lane road and I can't even imagine the further congestion that will be caused if a Woolworths store was placed into this location.

I could go on about why we are so opposed to Woolworths going into this location, I'm hoping that you understand our concerns and this does not go ahead... and if it does we certainly won't be shopping there. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
R H
Ashmore St
Erskineville

Erskineville Village is one of great atmosphere and community spirit. It's small businesses and hotels create a peaceful relaxing environment for the locals and visitors.

This type of village is a rarity in metropolitan areas and should be protected.

I am sure the locals of Newtown and Erskineville are happy to walk/ride/drive a little further down the road to utilise your services, however, if you destroy such a valued area of Erskineville you may find this is not so. As locals there is a great sense of pride for this village and I am certain that if you choose to go ahead there will also be camaraderie in boycotting your business.

Please reconsider this decision. There are enough eyesores and high rises around town. Can we not keep a little bit of community and nostalgia?

K F

Dear Representative of Woolworth’s,

Please exercise some common sense over the proposal to establish a Woolworth complex in Erskineville Village.

According to your own website there are at least six Woolworth stores within 4 kilometres of your proposed site.

The site is totally unsuitable due to:

Lack of easy access to and from the site
The village atmosphere supported by the small businesses in the area
The increase in noise, pollution and congestion your complex will cause
The strenuous resistance from, not only the residents of Erskineville, but also from surrounding areas, which would indicate that not only would they not go to your Erskineville complex but that they may well withdraw their business from Woolworth altogether.

Regards
J Ml
Enmore 2042
(PS this is the same postcode as Newtown)

Dear Sir/ Madam
I am writing with regard to the proposed development of a supermarket on Erskineville Rd.
As a local living in the area (about 500m away), and presumably a member of your target market, I wish to express my dissatisfaction with the proposal. It is ill-thought-out and an obvious grab for profits against both common sense and respect for the neighbourhood.
I will not shop at any supermarket in that vicinity. This is not out of hubris but out of convenience. I currently walk to do local shopping for milk, bread, veggies and small amounts of groceries. This will not change, nor will where I shop for these items. I currently drive my car to a convenient location which is easy to get to and park at when I want to do a major shop. This will not change either. It is much more convenient for me to go to Woolworths at Marrickville, even though it is geographically further away, than any supermarket on Erskineville Rd, as I don’t have to drive round the one-way streets, and don’t have to spend a long time looking for a parking place. On occasion I go to Coles in Broadway as it has a larger range, and again, is easier to get to and park. I could easily go shopping every time to Coles. And would, in preference to a supermarket on Erskineville Rd.
Please take into account the strong feelings of the locals on this matter, and if that doesn’t work, think out your business plan a little more logically.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email.
Regards
S R

To Whom it may concern,

Erskineville Shopping strip is a small village. It has no room for a big super market. On any given day before and after school the traffic on Erskinevilleroad is a crawl - there is one lane to and from Newtown and if you had a store there it would encourage more illegal parking and traffic. The village area is not built to cater for a super market of your proportions. There will be shoppers double parking etc. Your trucks are not made for our small streets and lanes either.

Why don't you put a woolies in an area that needs it like Alexandria and Mascot? The Bunnings store in Mascot/Alexandria could do with a Woolies next door - have you seen how many people use that store? How good would it be to have a supermarket there too? It would certainly make life easier as I would definitely shop at your store if it was there. Otherwise most people in this area use Broadway and Marrickville and by putting in your woolies in Erskineville doesn't mean we are going to use it as you don't have everything else that those malls have.

Another area that requires a big supermarket is near Domain and Goodguys in O'Riorden STreet. Why can't you make shopping easy for us all and put your supermarket in area that really needs it? Not our tiny and much loved village.

We are not going to give up on this fight - there is no one I know who lives here who wants your store here.
Please don't ruin our peaceful village.
kind regards

S O'L
Rochford Street
Erskineville

Dear Sir/Madam

I frequently shop at Woolworths supermarkets but we do not want one in Erskineville. Either it will need to be small, and won't carry a large enough range of products, or it will create too much traffic for Erskineville, where traffic is already far too heavy. Although I live in Alexandria (adjoining suburb) I will continue to use Marrickville Metro as less traffic congestion.

I will continue to do my local, in-between- major-shopping at the local stores in Alexandria and Erskineville. There is a community atmosphere there which I like and Woolworths is not in-keeping with this.

W C
Maddox Street
Alexandria

I live in Morrissey Road, Erskineville and am extremely concerned about your proposed supermarket development currently known as "The Hive" on the corner of Erskineville Road and Gowrie Street, Erskineville. Whether it's called "The Corner Store" or by any other name, I have looked at the entire proposal and its impact on our small village streets will be devastating, not to mention the incongruence of such a development in this small area.

The proposed development will forever change the character of our village and community which is vibrant but small, with current traffic congestion in peak times and existing competition over car spaces. Our community could not sustain a development such as that which is proposed. The impact in terms of additional traffic, the noise factor in a very contained area with narrow streets, and pressure on car parking would be untenable.

This development is also unwanted because of the extent of access our community already has to surrounding supermarkets and major retail outlets. Just up the street are Franklin's and IGA on King St, Marrickville Shopping Centre is within walking distance, and Broadway and Baptist St. Surry Hills are close by.

There are many other associated factors which make this proposal so unacceptable in Erskineville. Perhaps the one that is most difficult to comprehend is how any responsible major retail group can set up where a community strongly opposes it and demonstrate complete irresponsibility with regard to the suitability of the location and the detrimental environmental impact on the community.

I implore you to walk away from your planned development in Erskineville. I happily shop at Woolworth's in Marrickville as do many around me, but will not shop at Woolworth's again if you proceed to destroy our village vibrancy, attraction and sustainability.

Yours sincerely
B C

Dear Woolworths

As a resident of Erskineville I am unimpressed with the DA presently with council for a two storey supermarket on Erskineville Rd. Even though the DA does not state it would be used for Woolworths, everyone anticipates that it would be the same set up as St. Margarets Bourke St, Surry Hills and Macley St, Potts Point. Erskineville and most importantly, Erskineville Rd. is not as densely populated as the other two areas and Erskineville Rd is already at breaking point with traffic. I presently support BWS on Erskineville Rd and shop at Woolworth’s at Marrickville Metro but I will not support a Woolworth’s Supermarket or any Supermarket in that location.

There is a very active community group who will NOT support this proposal for variety of reasons such as:
We have plenty of supermarkets in our area already, why do we need another one? Erskineville is all ready well served by 5 supermarkets, Erskineville Supermarket, Franklins and Food Works in King Street, Broadway Shopping Centre and Marrickville Metro.
Erskineville does not have the density of population like Macley St in Potts Point our Bourke St in Surry Hills, nor are the streets set up in the same manner i.e.: accessible. We are not comparing apples with apples.
I object to the increased traffic from delivery trucks, garbage trucks and shoppers. Much of this environmental disturbance will occur seven days a week but especially outside of normal 'business hours' and will impact on residents ability to enjoy the amenities of the village. I object to the economic impact on small and local businesses, many of whom have worked hard for many years to build good service networks with residents and to support local institutions like pre-schools the elementary school and churches. We in Erskineville support these people as they have supported us!!
Regards
W B


Very disappointing to see the Woolworths chain proposing an outlet in such an inappropriate & totally unsuitable location – its crazy. I actually wonder has anyone from Woolworths walked our narrow streets. Taken the time to talk to the residents?
I do not want or need this supermarket. It is not going to benefit the community; it is not going to make the residents lives easier. No good will come out of opening here & I quite simply can not see any positives to this proposal.
Please do not open here; this is not a development that is going to make Erskineville a better or safer place to live.
Regards
D D

We are a young family living in Erskineville and have done so for the past 14 years. We are concerned and frankly appalled at this proposal for a Woolworths supermarket in our village. With an IGA in King Street, and another supermarket at the top of Newman Street, Coles and Woolworths within an easy 5 minute drive, a supermarket is definitely not needed. In addition and most importantly, a supermarket would change the feel of the village, which is a major asset to our community. We have several local small business which are well supported within our village and the addition of a large supermarket would have an impact on the small businesses that operate within our village.

For the residents around the proposed site, the high traffic plus parking issues would generate a huge problem, I know parking is to be provided but of course this will never be sufficient and will lead to increased parking on the streets around the site. In addition, the delivery trucks will cause additional pressure on the surrounding streets and will cause disturbance to local residents.

The majority of residents we have spoken to in our area are strongly opposed to this development and we hope you consider the residents in this application.

Regards
N & M

Ms Buchanan,
I write to you as a resident of Newtown. I understand that Woolworths is considering leasing premises along Erskineville Road, Erskineville.
As you may be aware, the DA for this development is currently before the City of Sydney. The City of Sydney is a city of villages, of which Erskineville is just one of those. The community does not want this development. It does not need or want another shopping centre. I ask that you come down to Erskineville and walk around, walk around and experience the village atmosphere, the small family shops along Erskineville Road, visit the small parks, walk the narrow streets, have a coffee at one of the many cafes, have some of the best Thai in Sydney but please don’t drive as parking is difficult.
Parking is critically short and the proposed development will see an unwelcome increase in not only cars trying to find a parking spot but also delivery trucks and semis negotiating narrow streets.
If the development proceeds rest assured that my family and I will never set foot in your store. We may well boycott all Woolworth and affiliated stores (Big W, Dick Smith, Tandy, BSW, Dan Murphy, Caltex).

G & G & R
Wilson Street
Newtown

Woolworths
These issues arise in addition to my previous remarks which oppose the proposed supermarket development in Erskineville Road on grounds of traffic congestion, toxic fumes, noise and road danger. My further concerns are about disability discrimination and encouraging repeated exposure to chemicals.
Disability Discrimination
How does Woolworths propose to ensure equity in a supermarket designed to encourage rail rather than car usage? Discrimination issues arise. Neither Newtown nor Erskineville Station provides access for people with mobility difficulties and disabilities. The supermarket development as proposed would aggravate the inequity which already exists.
Repeated exposure to chemicals
How does Woolworths propose to ensure shoppers do not suffer sicknesses caused by their encouraging increased repetitions of exposure to pesticides and other chemicals used in their shop?
In light of these concerns I vigorously oppose the proposed supermarket development in Erskineville Road.

P K ,
Rochford Street,
Erskineville

please do not follow through with another supermarket & ruin our lovely area of erskineville. i always shop at woolworths at the metro & will keep doing so as there is so much parking & has easy access to other shops. our narrow streets will not welcome your large trucks & you will desroy the small shops of erko. please just stick with what you have or expand into areas of greater population growth., XXXX a happy & proud resident of erko!!!

Dear Sir/Madam,
Your proposal regarding car parking capacity for the proposed Woolworths development on Erskineville Road is either ludicrously inept or duplicitous and devious. Either way it’s not good.
There are a number of angry, upset residents in Erskineville who feel that their legitimate interests and concerns have been overridden by your proposal, and in particular the lack of appropriate community consultation.
No doubt such objections will be interpreted and ‘spun’ as anti-development. However, I don’t believe this to be the case. The residents of Erskineville are aware that they live in a privileged part of Sydney which has managed to avoid being engulfed by inappropriate and insensitive development. They are understandably keen to preserve the quality of life they have and which the village like atmosphere of Erskineville offers.
We respectfully ask you to place a hold on your development application pending a proper social impact study and broader community consultation than that initially performed. The demands of the Friends of Erskineville deserve to be heard and treated with respect.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Regards

M B and F R
Residents of Erskineville

I strongly object to the proposed Woolworths Development in Erskineville/Newtown.

Roads and laneways in the vicinity of the proposed Woolworths development will not be able to handle the added congestion, without completely disrupting the accessibility for residents, as well as the peaceful surrounds that make this such a unique community to live in. There are several other grocery outlets both within walking and driving distance - Woolworths brings nothing unique or different, just more of the same. The traffic on Erskineville Rd can be bad enough at peak times, without the added pressure from yet ANOTHER grocery store. Parking can be difficult enough for residents as it is. I am strongly opposed to this development.

Yours Sincerely
D H
12 December 2007

Re: DA Notification: D/2007/1932, 21-23 Erskineville Road NEWTOWN NSW 2042
Dear Woolworths,
I refer to the above DA notification.
As a local citizen, I am writing to state my strong objection to the proposed development. Council and Woolworths should not underestimate the community protest about this, the need for proper consultation and impact studies regarding the proposed development.

There are various reasons for my objection, including:
1) the adverse effect on traffic on Erskineville Road
2) the potential destruction of the village atmosphere of Erskineville
3) the detrimental effect on local business (eg., grocer on Erskineville Rd)
4) the lack of need for such a supermarket as part of the development mix of the area – Marrickville Metro and Newtown IGA are very close by
d) the serious lack of adequate parking for the development and the parking nightmare it will create for local residents and supermarket shoppers

I urge Council and Woolowrths to reject the proposed development.
Why not have a professional offices, apartment, health centre or art gallery instead which will ENHANCE the area rather than destroy it?
Kind Regards,
S L L

I write to express my disapproval of your organisation coming to Erskineville … the roads will not cope nor will the local village shops. Please think of another venue.

P F

Dear Woolworths,

I'm writing as a resident of Erskineville to advise that if Woolworths place a supermarket on the site corner of Gowrie St and Erskineville Rd that my family and I will not be shopping there. Furthermore we will no longer shop at Woolworths at Marrickville Metro but will instead go to Coles at Broadway.

However, if Woolworths decided to develop a shopping centre in Alexandria that was well serviced by roads with a larger premises ensuring a good range of items, I will be more than happy to utilise those facilities. Surely such a development would be better placed near the filing cabinet apartment blocks near Mitchell St/Sydney Park?

A supermarket on the proposed site seems ludicrous and I can't really believe that this proposal has been seriously thought out rather than just be a quick money grab by the owner/developers of the site.

Please hear the voices of concerned citizens and consider placing a supermarket where it would be more feasible and in keeping with the surrounding neighbourhood rather than cramming a supermarket in a space which is totally inappropriate.

Many thanks,
J M
Gowrie St
Newtown







































]]> 09. and More Letters to Woolworths http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=26 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:08:37 +0900 http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=25
To Whom it May Concern,

I'd like to lodge an objection the above proposed development of a supermarket on Erskineville Road, Newtown.

I'm a resident of Gowrie St, the proposed entry point for the supermarket.

My objections are based on the following issues:
1) residential car parking and traffic conditions
2) noise pollution
3) street rubbish
4) lack of plans to ensure safe pedestrian access to the proposed supermarket.
5) the proposed trial of extended trading hours (open to midnight)

1) Residential Parking and Traffic Conditions
As a resident of Gowrie St with a car, I know well the lack of parking that is available in the street. on weekends and after 19:00 on weekday nights. It's not unusual to have to park several streets away when arriving home after 19:00 on weekdays. The streets are narrow and it's not uncommon for parked cars to be swiped and to lose their side mirrors. Walking down Gowrie St, Union St, Angel St and Newman St it is obvious what a common occurrence this is by the number of locals with their mirrors pulled in and the broken ones that are visible.

With the one-way traffic system that is in place in this area to stop through traffic and also ease traffic flow, it is also not uncommon to see people who aren't familiar with the roads pulling out the wrong way down one way roads (entering Erskineville Rd from Union St and Gowrie St is a common mistake). Having a supermarket in the proposed location will encourage even more people unfamiliar with the traffic system in place to drive into the area and not know what they're doing.

I've spent many an entertaining afternoon at the Erskineville Hotel watching the stupid behaviour of motorists. This will only increase with a supermarket being built in that position.

From the supplied Traffic Impact Assessment "The proposed one-way flow-through system for both cars and trucks is considered the optimal arrangement in all the circumstances and avoids intrusion into any residential areas"

This may be the assessment of what will occur, but this doesn't take into account people being people and motorists
a) not wanting to wait behind cars going into the car park,
b) motorists who don't know the area well thinking they'll take a short cut home and getting caught in the Gowrie St, Angel St, Newman St loop.

c) When motorists go into the car park and find it full they will exit right onto Erskineville Rd from Angel St and then right again into Gowrie this time driving down to find street parking.

2) The Environmental Noise Impact Assessment recommendation is for roller shutters to be on the loading dock and car park, with the loading dock shutters closed at all times except when trucks are entering/exiting. This means that delivery trucks will be waiting in idle much longer than the accounted for 20 seconds whilst roller doors are raised, and no consideration has been given to the noise the roller shutters themselves will make. Having lived near commercial sites where roller shutters are used, I can say that it's not an inconsiderable amount of noise that they make.

Also, by using roller shutters to meet the noise pollution requirements, this means that delivery trucks will be idling on the street prevent access while the doors are open, further contributing to traffic congestion.

"No loading dock operation during night time period."
It is also recommended that there be no loading dock operation during night time period. What exactly is night time? Is it after sunset? What about in the middle of summer when there's still daylight at 20:00 - will truck deliveries and rubbish compacting be able to occur then, when locals are coming from work trying to find a car spot, and small children are being put to bed?

3) One thing that I haven't seen addressed in any of the submitted documents (although I could have missed it) is the mention of what the developer plans to do about the increased rubbish that will inevitably find it's way onto our streets if a supermarket is built at that site. Increased pedestrian traffic (which the developer is counting on to make the supermarket viable) also results in increased littering. It will then be left up to the residents to continually pick up after the supermarket visitors have littered and then left the area. A quick look around any area with a supermarket in it and it becomes quite obvious that littering accompanies such a venture.

4) The submitted documents make mention of the public transport infrastructure in the area and how it's well serviced. This is true, however the strip of Erskineville Rd at the site of the proposed supermarket is always congested with vehicular traffic during the days and there are no marked pedestrian crossings in the immediate vicinity - the closest being out the front of the Town Hall to the right and Wilson St to the left. Will pedestrian crossings be put in place should the supermarket be approved? It's also a low gutter from the footpath to Erskineville Rd, will pedestrian safety barriers be erected and if so, will this affect the aesthetics of the area? Bicycle parking is to be provided on Erskineville Rd footpath (see Traffic Impact Assessment) and this too will hamper pedestrian safety.

5) The development application if for trading hours of 0700 - 2200 however it is stated in the other documents submitted that the owners wish to have a 12 month trial run of extended shopping hours to midnight. The noise and traffic assessments have been made however with the assumption of a 2200 closing time. If this proposal is to be given approval please ensure that extended to midnight trading hours are NO permitted.

Whilst the development site is commercial it is surrounded by residential properties and is, in all essence a residential area. The shopping strip of Erskineville Rd is vibrant and the whole area has a feeling of community which is rarely seen in cities. Walking down the street there's at the minimum a nodding acquaintance with our neighbours, we know the local cats and dogs. We keep an eye out for each other and have great pride in this eclectic little part of Sydney we call home.

Please don't approve this development which will help kill the local small businesses, which isn't needed and is poorly positioned.

Regards,
J M
Gowrie St
Newtown

Dear Councillor Moore,

I have been made aware of a proposed development in Erskineville
Village, which I feel will greatly damage the sense of a community
village which currently exists there.
I am a working mother with two children, and I work at a local
university (UTS).
One of the great things about Erko is that everyone trusts each other -
we know all the local shopkeepers, and when my kids use the train for
school they know the woman at the
station will look out for them, Likewise, I can send them up to the
village with no worries. It is really nice to live somewhere which is
central but not stressed.
Even more worrying is the number of cars that a supermarket would bring
to the surrounding streets. They are quite busy anyway, but if they
start turning the streets into what happens at Broadway (which is a
good local shopping centre but not a place anyone would want to live
with kids if they could help it), the City of Villages project will not
look in good shape.
Please do not approve this development. It will destroy the area and
for no good purpose.

best
S D

Ms Clover Moore,
Lord Mayor,
City of Sydney,
GPO BOX 1591,
Sydney 2000.

Dear Lord Mayor

I want to register my concern at the lodging of a DA to develop a supermarket at the corner of Gowrie Street and Erskineville Road.

Traffic on this road is busy all day everyday, and you well know the queue of traffic during the peak times of 8.30am and 5pm during the week and midday Saturday. We also have only a single lane road all the way through the village to King Street, Newtown and this will be dealing with even worse volumes of traffic should the supermarket go ahead. The area behind the proposed site is also made up largely of narrow streets some of which can only manage one way traffic because of their narrowness. The parking provisions are also ridiculously small.

It is madness to locate a supermarket here.

It will impact on the wonderful village that has been created with help from your council. The landscaping and path widening has helped to create a real community and fosters patronage of the local retailers. We do not need another supermarket in this area if it will exacerbate the traffic problems that we already face everyday. If the developer want to service the area I suggest he locates the supermarket along Bourke or O'Riordan Streets where there is plenty of room.

I hope you will take a decision which is in the interests of the local residents.

Yours sincerely
B R

Dear Mrs Moore

Most of the time, Moore is not nearly enough but there are other times when Moore is just too much...

Erskineville Village does not need Moore:

Traffic
Chaos
Noise
Pollution
Jaywalking

I trust that you will support the surrounding residents and will ensure that their quality of life is maintained by rejecting this silly proposal of building a two story supermarket in Erskineville in an area that is obviously not suitable.

As a resident living nearby in Alexandria, I am fortunate in being able to take a leisurely stroll up to Erskineville to enjoy the village atmosphere on a regular basis. Over the past few years, traffic has noticeably increased and the pedestrian access is already suffering. It is obvious that Erskineville cannot withstand the increase this development would demand and would impact very negatively on the positive aspects Erskineville is currently able to offer its residents and visitors.

Please do Moore to stop this particular proposal and do Moore to make Moore appropriate use of this space.

Thank you.

A D

Dear Clover

I have been a resident of Erskineville for 8 years. More than any other suburb in the City of Sydney council area, I believe Erskineville exemplifies the Council’s new slogan, “City of Villages”. I love Erskineville’s village feel - its like nowhere else I’ve found in Sydney. What makes it special to those of us who love it, is that the village provides us with much of what we need and love every day – entertainment, wide open spaces, a relaxed way of life, even our daily groceries.

The proposed 2-story supermarket development on Erskineville Road without parking and with limited access for trucks will cause massive disruption to the way of life for all local residents, especially those living within 2 blocks of the proposed site. It will cause traffic and parking chaos in an area already known for its limited parking, narrow streets and slow traffic. This part of Sydney is adequately served by existing supermarkets. Those who walk are more than happy to walk to King St. Those who drive are more than happy to drive to Marrickville Metro or Broadway. It is the price we happily pay in order to keep our part of the world as beautiful as it is.

Please consider carefully the impact such developments have on the daily life of residents. Erskineville is not – and should never be – a commercial hub.

Thank you.

C L
Railway pde
Erskineville.

Dear Ms Moore

I am both a resident of Erskineville and a Sales agent with Ray White Newtown working predominantly in the area.

My concern about the proposed development includes:

1. Increased traffic congestion on what is already a very congested stretch of road during peak times. I believe peak hour times will blow out as a result.

2. The nightmare that will be created by large vehicles trying to negotiate the narrow one way streets surrounding the site. Further traffic congestion and damage to parked vehicles being the tip of the iceberg!

3. The impact on the quiet enjoyment of the area by Erskineville residents, particularly those located near the site.

4. The lack of ‘need’ for yet another supermarket – we are spoilt with choice.

5. The impact on our local businesses. Erskineville must be considered the ‘shining star’ in our “City of Villages”. Our local businesses (largely operated by local residents) form part of the overall fabric of the area which makes it so appealing.

6. The negative impact on property values surrounding the site.

I believe more consultation must to undertaken with the local community and request that Council only consider the DA approval after an independent social impact and traffic study has been completed including traffic, parking, noise, impact upon community and other potential ramifications.

Yours faithfully

P C

Dear Ms Moore,


I write to you as our Lord Mayor, to express my concern over plans to build a supermarket on Erskineville Rd/Angel St, in Erskineville Village. I am a resident of Union St, Erskineville, and will thus be directly affected by the proposed development.

As anyone who visits Erskineville would know, the history of our area means that street sizes are narrow, predominantly one-way, and don't allow for much parking. It beggars belief to think that the proposed development would only allow for approximately 30 parking spaces in the building itself - where will the increased number of vehicles park? As it is, there is not enough resident parking in the area. I don't own a car, and one of the reasons I moved to Erskineville was that I value the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere of my suburb: I am concerned about the increased traffic flow on my own and surrounding streets.

The density of my suburb also means that noise echoes down the streets of terraces - I don't even want to think about how noisy trucks entering and reversing in this small area will be! Erskineville Rd is already so choked with traffic in peak hours (and particularly on the weekends). How will the extra amount of traffic impact the bottleneck at the railway bridge, and the slow creep up Erskineville Rd to King St?

I'm equally concerned about the effect of a large supermarket on my local shops. If I want the convenience of a large-scale shopping experience, it's not far to drive, walk or bus to a larger supermarket than Erskineville currently offers: Broadway, Franklins on King St, Marrickville Metro, etc. What I prefer, though, is the smaller village shopping experience still available in Erskineville and on South King St - independent grocers, butchers, supermarkets, etc. And let's not even mention how many convenience stores are located in the King St area! I can't understand why we "need" another supermarket in the area, large or small!

I write to ask that Council only entertain the idea of DA approval after an independent social impact and traffic study has been completed. What will the effects on traffic, parking and noise be for my community? How will local business be affected? How safe is it to run so much traffic up and down narrow, one-way streets, inhabited by so many people with young children? It is important to me to hear from an independent group of researchers on this issue, and not only from a report provided by the developer. I am very concerned about this proposal, and will join my voice to my community's by attending residents' meeting and continuing to petition you, my government representatives.

Thank you for your ongoing service to our community, and for your consideration of these concerns.
Sincerely,

K O
Union St
Erskineville

Clover Moore
Mayor
City of Sydney Council. 5.12.2007

Dear Ms Moore,

The purpose of this letter is to inform you and Sydney Council that I strenuously oppose the proposed development of the site of the old Mardi Gras building at the top of Gowrie Street Newtown, to house a Woolworth’s Supermarket, and to outline why.

There is no proven need for a generic chain-store supermarket, such as the proposed Woolworth’s, in this area. There are more than adequate supermarkets and shops within walking distance. There are two in Newtown - Foodworks in Newtown Plaza (which itself will be redeveloped in the very near future) and Franklins on King Street near the Dendy complex. Both of which also have parking. For those with a car there is a Woolworth’s at Marrickville Metro and a Coles and Bi Lo at Broadway.

Erskineville Road is already under strain from the traffic it carries each day. The negative effect of cars, including congestion, pollution and noise, on this area has been steadily increasing over the past ten or more years. I have been knocked of my pushbike twice and have had numerous “near misses” as well.

There is often chaos and aggression on the roads in this area, with people who are visiting the area parking illegally and often blocking residential access. Parking is already at a premium in all the surrounding streets of Newman, Angel, Union, Gowrie and Harold and on the other side of Erskineville Road. Drivers already regularly drive the wrong way down one- way streets in this area endangering pedestrians (including local children) and other drivers and their passengers.

In Gowrie Street itself there is a load limit which is constantly ignored resulting in trucks getting “stuck” down the bottom of the street and having to reverse back up Gowrie Street in order to get out. On more than one occasion cars, property and trees have been damaged by such trucks contravening the load limit and the signs that tell them that it is a local traffic zone.

A supermarket such as the one proposed for this site would see increased number of cars and delivery trucks and will have a profound and seriously adverse impact on an already overburdened road system. One which was originally designed for 19th century traffic.

I have lived in this area on and off for the past 25 years. Twice in Gowrie Street. I have owned a house in Gowrie Street for the past 11 years and it is home to me. I love it here. This area has a soul and a sense of community that I have not experienced in any other inner city area of Sydney that I have resided - and that has been quite a few.

My belief is that this is largely due to fact that the people that live here share a social consciousness that extends beyond the “I” centred commercialism and “me” oriented focus that has been a pervasive force in Sydney for a long time. I am therefore not alone in my opposition to this Woolworth’s supermarket. There are far more appropriate development options for this site that will not have such a hostile and blatantly commercial impact. Woolworth’s is not proposing to open this supermarket to service the population of this area. It is for commercial reasons only. Clearly, as stated above, there is no need for another supermarket in the area.

The council that you head has included Erskineville in its “City of Villages” and I want it to remain a village. The proposed Woolworth’s development is not in keeping with the existing Erskineville Village atmosphere with its small businesses and restaurants. As well as the traffic hazards and pollution issues mentioned, the proposed Woolworth’s would undermine the businesses in this area and ruin the ambience. The success of this project would also set a negative precedent for similar commercial development in the area.

I therefore kindly ask you to reject the development application for this project.

Yours Sincerely,

L M
Gowrie Street,
Newtown

Dear Clover,

Please consider the impact of the proposed development in Erskineville, which is already highly congested.

As one example I am usually unable to park anywhere in my street if I arrive home later than 7pm, which is often the case. The workers cottage style houses in the area are approximately only one car length wide and usually have no off street parking available. As the rising average per capita income of residents has increased the situation has been exacerbated and in the 7 years we have been resident things have already got noticeably worse, especially in evenings and at weekends.

This development, with its woefully inadequate provision for car spaces will be a disastrous inconvenience for local residents. It will not provide any additional benefits since the proposed amenities are already present in abundance locally. Parking, children's safety and noise levels are particular concerns. My understanding is that no independent social impact or traffic study has to date been undertaken.

Our village has improved considerably over the years, with many small businesses moving in and contributing to the atmosphere and community. Developments like this will be ruinous to achievements thus far, many of them encouraged through the good auspices of Sydney Council.

Please do all that you can to ensure that local needs and opinions are considered and that this development application is rejected.

Kind regards,

L H
Union Street,
Erskineville

Wednesday, 5 December 2007
Munni Street
Newtown NSW 2042

Dear Clover,

I write to you because I am concerned about the development proposal D/2007/1932 for the construction of a supermarket at 21-23 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville.
I am a proud resident of the City of Sydney. I have the highest regard for you and the council and appreciate all the work that goes into making my part of the city safe, clean and beautiful. Whenever I seek help from staff and I always receive professional service and follow-up. With this in mind, I ask you to consider my heart-felt objections to this development proposal.
I feel this supermarket development will cause serious traffic problems. Erskineville Rd is incapable of dealing with the large volume of traffic at the moment. The worst time for Erskineville Rd traffic is weekday afternoons which is exactly the same time that all supermarkets are busy. The supermarket will add more west-bound traffic to Erskineville Road for a longer period than present as greater numbers of cars and trucks will have to queue to use it to enter and exit the building. This increase in traffic will make it dangerous for pedestrians wishing to cross: Gowrie Street is one of the only vehicular access streets for the collection of children who attend Newtown Primary School and High School for the Performing Arts. The noise and pollution from additional stationary cars will be extremely unpleasant for a large number of people who live less than 20 metres from the site. The increase in cars will also affect traffic travelling east down Erskineville Road as west-bound queuing cars already make it difficult and dangerous to turn right into Gowrie Street. There will also be noise from garbage collection as well as the difficult problem of storage of smelly organic waste.
With only 31 car spaces, most of which will probably be used by staff, I am very concerned about the affect on already hard to find street parking over a wide radius around the development. Shoppers will undoubtedly park on all surrounding streets: Gowrie, Angel, Union, Albert, Harold, Newman and others close by (like mine) if they are continually unable to find parking in a limited car park or see it as easier than negotiating such a small allocation. This will add more local traffic as shoppers in search of a street parking place who have entered these mostly one-way streets, will have to continue around the circuit to exit.
A supermarket will be a disaster for local businesses. I love the small and diverse village atmosphere of Erskineville, with its range of shops and outdoor cafes that make it a unique and desirable area. A supermarket will swamp these businesses and probably force them to close. I predict it will attract beggars and loiterers like those in front of Franklins in Newtown. There will be need for security as there will be cash collection (more trucks), which will add a further hazard.
I strongly object to the fact that they are intending to trade and take deliveries until late at night and want to trial extended hours til midnight for a year. This is likely to be abused as is the case with Franklins Newtown who show no regard for their neighbouring residents by allowing deliveries throughout the night.
And lastly, I don’t need or want another supermarket in the area. There are already 3 within walking distance from my home. I chose to live in this neighbourhood because it was quiet and offered a feeling of community. This supermarket will have so many detrimental consequences. I ask you to please consider my objections and not approve this proposal.

Regards,

T J

Dear Clover Moore

I express my concern and non agreement in the proposed development. The vision of bringing back the concept of 'villages' and 'green spaces' to the inner city , a concept which was envisioned by you seems to be in direct opposition to this type of development. We do not want the same mistakes made to the city planning done over the years ( as explored and commented on by the Danish Planner , engaged to review the city planning ) repeating itself here.

We need to discern and fully understand the impact of such a development, truthfully and with our eyes wide open. I really believe it will be a great mistake to allow the proposal to proceed. Please review and visit www.erskinevillevillage.org to appreciate all the comments made and rightfully expressed.

Thank you and regards,

K
Swanson Street,
Erskineville

To whom it may concern
Dear Sir/Madam,

RE:DA application for .........21-23 Erskineville road, Newtown.

I'm the owner and resident of ....Angel st, Newtown.My property borders Angel st and Railway Lane.

I and my flatmate, are both shift workers and sleep at different hours of any day. The bedrooms of our property back onto railway lane.

We strongly oppose this developement, on the following points:

1)Traffic Problems...........This developement will cause far too many vehicle movements and associated noise from these vehicles......as mentioned above this will disturb our rest and lifestyle due to being shift workers.....We not only have to contend with aircraft noise, we DON'T need increase traffic noise from 0500 to Midnight......The recent bridge work on Erskineville Road, increased neighbourhood traffic and was a nightmare for all residents of Railway lane, with thie development, vehicals traffic will be horrendous.
Also our 3 garages face directly onto railway lane, it will be very dangerous to back our vehicles out on a busy laneway.
Railway lane is exactly that a lane and should be left as such.
2)We don't need another supermarket in the area, as we already have several close by
3)There is a possibility that this developement will sell liquor, and again we do not need this as there are sereral outlets in Erskineville village and King st. Plus the associated problems with drinking in the streets could occurr in the neighbouring streets
4) We value our Village and this type of development will destory the village status quo
5)The development should have traffic enterring from erskineville road and leaving via gowrie st.....NOT Railway lane.............again i state railway lane is exactly that, a lane and should be maintained as a lane only......
6)This development will have an adverse effect on our community ammenities such as

Increased Noise from customers, vehicles,delievery trucks at all hours
Increased Danger from, Vehicles and delievery trucks, to local residents.
Increased on street arking problems, which are already occurring
Increased Crime and unrulely behaviour if supermarket is able to sell liquor

Will take away the village feel/atmosphere from erskinveille village, which contradicts Sydney city councils own desire to promote villages....
Please hear the residents and decline this application for this type of developement.

S O'Brien and T P
Angel st,
Newtown

Dear Ms Moore

As an Erskineville resident, I would like to express my concerns over the Development Application for the proposed two storey supermarket site (DA Number D/2007/1932), located at 21-23 Erskineville Road NEWTOWN NSW 2042.
I disagree with this DA proposal for the following reasons:
1. There are already more than enough similar services in close proximity and we do not need any more:
o Franklins in King Street
o Foodworks ( Newman & King St ) which is already expected to double in size with a $500,000 upgrade
o Woolworths & Aldi at Marrickville Metro
o Coles & Go Lo at Broadway
o Coles at Surry Hills Village
2. There will be a serious impact on traffic in the general area and specifically on King Street, Erskineville Road, Gowrie Street, Angel Street and Angel Lane due to increased commercial traffic. Commercial traffic is also unlikely to abide by regulated hours of operation etc. resulting in additional noise pre-dawn and late at night as well as during the day.
3. 31 car spaces will be insufficient to accommodate the kind of general commuting traffic that such a development could anticipate. Given that parking scarcity and traffic congestion are already significant issues for residents on and around Erskineville Road/ Swanston Streets and surrounding streets this development would only exacerbate these issues.
4. Increased traffic and heightened parking challenges in the general would also result in decreased safety for pedestrians and cyclists as Erskineville Road would regularly become gridlocked resulting in erratic & potentially irresponsible driving by impatient drivers sick of being stuck in traffic.
5. This kind of development is contrary to the Local Action Plans currently being put in place by City of Sydney Council. One key element of those plans was to identify, enhance and preserve village centres. Erskineville Village would be changed forever by a development such as this and not in any way consistent with these Local Action Plans.
For these reasons, I oppose the development and urge the Council to say refuse its permission for it to proceed.

J B

Clover Moore,

Please do not allow the approval of the Supermarket Development in Erskineville Road (corner Gowrie Street). I plead with you for the safety and sanity of my family who are proud to call Erskineville home.

Supermarkets bring with them Trucks, Cars and Commotion. The beautiful streets of Erskineville are already full of parked cars and congestion (and thats just from local residence), 31 car spots is not enough spots for customers and the surrounding streets will become more congested and dangerous. The suburb just cannot accommodate the trucks that will be making deliveries, not only will this cause congestion around the supermarket but the trucks will need to wait in the streets when the loading docks are full or closed.

I have received many publications from council promoting The City of Villages. Please protect Erskineville Village. Our Village does not need a Supermarket. Everything I need to buy can already be purchased by the local retailers and we are surrounded by major supermarkets in walking distance to Erskineville. Please help to keep Erskineville a Village.

I love living in Erskineville and the city of Sydney. I love our village and all the effort that the local council puts into keeping our village beautiful, like the lovely pot plant displays, Christmas decorations and community family friendly events. I love the community I live in and I hope that my local council will listen to my opinions and support the community that supports them.

Thankyou for listening and I hope you can support Erskineville Village.

C O
Albert Street,
Erskineville

I grew up in the inner west, and moved to Erskineville a few years ago, it
is a slice of paradise in the middle of the inner city, a quiet peaceful
village right in the heart of the hustle and bustle. If this supermarket
goes ahead, there will be more traffic on erskineville road. As it stands
it is bumper to bumper most of the day, I watched an ambulance try and get
through there one day, and the time it took could have been fatal. The extra
traffic will be detrimental to the whole area.

Regards
D P

Dear Ms Moore,

As a resident of Erskineville (37 Pleasant Avenue), I am gravely concerned about the proposed supermarket development. This proposed development would have a detrimental effect on the residents and businesses of Erskineville Village.

I am originally from the U.S., and one of the joys of daily life in Sydney is being able to get my food from bakeries, butchers, fruit-and-veg shops and other specialty stores. This allows me to get the freshest and best-quality goods, usually locally sourced/produced, and support local businesses at the same time. In the U.S., even in my fairly traditional hometown of Boston, we do not have that luxury. Chain supermarkets have taken over and small local providers didn't stand a chance. Many parts of Sydney have yet to succumb to this, instead retaining shopping strips that allow residents to hand-pick their goods. This is something that I brag about to people back home. This is something of which areas like Erskineville Village are justly proud. And this is something that would be irreparably damaged by the intrusion of this proposed supermarket.

Furthermore, I do not believe that there is a demonstrated need for another supermarket in the area: we already have a small neighbourhood supermarket in Erskineville Village, as well as other small supermarkets, a Franklins and a soon-to-be-expanded Foodworks nearby on King Street. Only slightly farther away are the Marrickville Metro and Broadway shopping centres, which add another three large supermarkets to the total. Nor I do not believe that the infrastructure of the area would be able to support the proposed development. The narrow streets and already-limited parking in the area would be taxed to breaking point by the trucks and cars that the supermarket would necessarily bring with it - particularly as current public transport is not routed in a way that would encourage residents to use it when shopping at the proposed supermarket.

Please understand that my concerns do not arise from mere NIMBYism: if I felt that this development would be a short-term inconvenience that yielded long-term benefits to the community, I would not be campaigning against it. But this is not the case. This development would not only spell the end for many, if not all, of the small businesses in the area; it would also cause permanent disruption to the community through the strain on the local roads, the noise and air pollution and the extended hours of operation in a residential area (particularly in an area with many young families). But perhaps most importantly, this development would undermine the sense of 'village-ness' that makes Erskineville such a joy to live in.

Erskineville Village is the sort of neighbourhood that should be preserved and held as an example to the rest of Australia's cities. The proposed supermarket development is neither needed nor wanted by our community. I therefore urge you to refuse to consider the approval of this Development Application until an independent social impact and traffic study (including traffic, parking, noise, impact upon community and other potential ramifications) has been completed. I feel confident that such a study would determine what we in the community already know to be true: that this development would be a detriment to the Erskineville Village community.

Respectfully,

E C
Pleasant Avenue
Erskineville

Dear Ms Moore,

As a resident of 37 Pleasant Avenue, Erskineville, I am writing to oppose the proposed supermarket development. I feel that this development would have a negative impact on the community, bringing more traffic and noise to our crowded streets. It would also have a negative impact on the local businesses and would lead to many closures.

We don't need another supermarket, as there are already several in the area, including a small one right on Erskineville Road, so I believe that residents would be inconvenienced and businesses would be in trouble all for the sake of a supermarket we don't need and don't want. At the very least, a detailed and independent study of the social and traffic implications of the proposed development should be requested by the Council before the development is considered. Please request such a study and publish the results to the community as soon as possible.
Regards,

B W
Pleasant Avenue
Erskineville

Mr Philip Jamieson
Planning Officer
City of Sydney
GPO Box 1591
Sydney NSW 2001
7 December 2007
Dear Mr Jamieson,

I write with reference to DA no D/2007/1932.
I am a local Erskineville resident and I object to the proposed supermarket at 21-23 Erskineville Rd Newtown for three main reasons.
Firstly, I believe the proposal will severely impact Erskineville’s village atmosphere. The Lord Mayor has stated that Council envisages the City of Sydney as a “City of Villages”, and Erskineville is regarded as one of the best examples. The Local Action Plan states, “the people of Erskineville love the village atmosphere”, Erskineville has “a strong sense of local identity”, and “the ‘village feel’ is reinforced by…local shops…”
A supermarket such as proposed is likely to severely impact and possibly destroy the following local businesses:
the local supermarket
the local fruit and vegetable shop
the Deli
the bakery.
It would probably also negatively impact other businesses on Erskineville Rd:
the florist
the bottle shop (unless of course it is simply relocated to within the supermarket as the proposed “specialty shop”)
the newsagent.
These local businesses, run by local people and therefore benefiting the local community, are what creates a village: a locality with individual character and therefore a sense of belonging. Corporations such as Coles and Woolworths are bland, formulaic, anonymous board-driven enterprises characteristic of that anathema to the local village, the shopping centre. If this DA is accepted we may well end up with one large supermarket and a string of empty shops not far down the road. Is this Council’s vision for its City of Villages?
Secondly, I believe a new supermarket is unnecessary. The site in question is within 400m of no less than three other supermarkets: Foodworks at Newtown Plaza, Franklins on King St and of course the independent supermarket on Erskineville Rd. Marrickville Metro and Broadway shopping centres are only a short drive away. With another supermarket proposed for Ashmore Estate, do we really need any more? I note the DA’s Traffic Impact Assessment indicates Bus Route 355 travels right past the door of the site – and directly to Woolworths at Marrickville Metro! Local residents already have ample choice for their shopping needs whether they walk, drive or catch public transport.
Thirdly, I have concerns regarding the Application’s effect on local traffic conditions both from a parking and traffic flow perspective. I refer again to the Traffic Impact Assessment: in relation to parking, the proposed number of parking spaces (31) is less than that required under South Sydney Council’s DCP no 11 (33 spaces) (p8 of the Assessment), even after reducing the number of spaces to 40% of the RTA’s Guideline rate, a reduction based on any assumptions. Also, “the available kerbside parking in the vicinity of the site is generally unrestricted” (p3). Indeed, “it is acknowledged that the reduced parking has a potential to create additional on-street demands” (p9). Clearly the developer’s assumption that parking will be adequate is flimsy, and there is a real risk of significant clogging of local streets with impacts on local residents.
On traffic flow, the Traffic Impact Assessment states, “the one-way flow system creates some limitations on access…” (p3). The authors even acknowledge, “the relatively difficult right turn out of Angel St” (p11) and therefore assume more drivers will choose to exit left onto Erskineville Rd than right! If this were true it must be assumed some vehicles would then head right into Wilson St in order to get back onto Erskineville Rd, further delaying traffic.
Imagine a car waiting to turn right off Erskineville Rd into Gowrie St coinciding with a car wanting to turn right off Angel St at peak hour in the afternoon when traffic on Erskineville Rd is generally at a standstill: it will be an instant traffic jam. And what happens when these vehicles are the 20 to 30 vans expected per day or even worse, the 12.5m long trucks?
I believe the above DA is inappropriate for the Erskineville area on many levels and if passed, would benefit only the developer and the successful supermarket chain. We don’t need it, it will increase traffic on an already busy secondary road and it will greatly reduce the village atmosphere we – and Council – have strived to promote. I believe the site could be developed in ways that would enhance the local community rather than diminish it and I urge Council to reject the proposal.

Yours sincerely,
A P
George St
Erskineville

Dear Sir and Madams,

I write in opposition to Development Application D/2007/1932, address 21-23 Erskineville Road Erskineville NSW 2042.

As an Erskineville resident for the last 6 years I have a wonderful appreciation for the uniqueness of our village setting. Our strip of small businesses provides a great array of goods and services and acts as the hub of our day to day activities. I can honestly say that there is nothing I enjoy more than wandering up to Erskineville Road in the morning to pick up a newspaper from the newsagent, a coffee from one of the cafes, fresh croissants from the baker and maybe a little something from the Deli. This is the sort of lifestyle I feel that the council’s vision of a City of Villages is really aiming for. I am of the strong opinion that a large, chain supermarket is in direct opposition to this vision. Our independent shops will not be able to compete with such a supermarket and will be forced to close down or leave the area. We already have a number of long empty shop fronts and adding more would be the death of our enviable way of life.

I know that many of the owners and employees of the bakery, The Deli, the newsagent and the florist are locals. This means that they all walk to work, thus not adding to the already polluted and congested streets of Sydney. I have no confidence that a generic supermarket will have such a positive environmental impact.

If there was one improvement I could make to improve the Erskineville Village, it would be to reduce the amount of traffic on Erskineville Road. Sitting in any of the pavement seating, it doesn’t take long to see a near miss between cars or worse still, between a car and a pedestrian. Any car trying to cross Erskineville Road, either from or into a side street, first has to avoid the busy traffic and then any possible pedestrian who thought it was safe to cross until a car has had to race between oncoming cars to get across. I recommend an hour sitting out the front of The Rose of Australia to see the chaos at the corner of George Street and Erskineville Road. Many old people and children cross here and it is already frightening. This problem will worsen all along Erskineville Road and it will be recreated and magnified at the intersections around the proposed development.

I believe that adding more cars to this already clogged artery will increase the safety issues of the area not to mention worsening the pollution caused by all of this traffic. There is no way to deny that people will drive to a supermarket at this location. It is too far from any of the train stations to cart bags of shopping. People will drive. Then there are the service vehicles that will have to use these roads and lanes. Buses already struggle getting onto Erskineville Road from the King Street end. This will further impact traffic problems, pollution and safety issues. The mess that will be created with all of these vehicles trying to enter and exit the lanes around the development is clear.

There is also the added danger to bicycles who ride at their peril along Erskineville Road, especially in the vicinity of the complex being discussed. The road gets very narrow with a concrete barrier dividing the lanes. Impatient car drivers often risk the lives of the bicyclists trying to push past them. I fully support all efforts made to reduce the number of cars on the road and encourage bicycle riding. The proposal of a large supermarket in this area, once again does the opposite.

There has been some wonderful work put into finding ways to make Sydney a more liveable city. Many of these require massive changes to existing structures to achieve this. As a result they will be incredibly difficult if not impossible to implement. It is my opinion that preventing this DA from going ahead is an easily achievable way to prolong the liveability of this area. There will be no going back once a large supermarket has been built there.

Finally there is the obvious problem of parking that the DA fails to adequately address. The recommended number of car parking spots will barely suffice for the employees. The increased parking pressure will have a significant impact on the local residents. Just the recent addition of a wine bar at the corner of Erskineville Road and George Street (which we love) has impacted more on residents of George Street and this is only from a handful of extra cars. Local businesses already complain that there is nowhere for their customers to park when they come to Erskineville to use their services.

It really is as wonderful to live in Erskineville as it seems. I implore you to consider what we have to loose here and refuse this DA. I understand that this site will one day be developed and I look forward to supporting any venture that will enhance the area and not detract so extensively.

Thank you so much for your time,
Yours sincerely,

I F
George Street,
Erskineville

Dear Clover,

I am writing in relation to the Erskineville Development of the HIVE building.

Firstly, I am very concerned and disappointed at the lack of local consultation by the developers regarding the proposed development of the HIVE to a supermarket precinct.

I am all for progress, and suitable developments in line with the needs of the area, however question the real thought and the quality and authenticity of the impact studies that have been conducted to date in relation to this specific development.

My initial concerns were around the quantity of traffic that will be created by this development, already we experience congestion on various streets in Erskineville and more specifically on Erskineville Rd, King St, Angel St & Lane, and Gowrie St and I see this development adding to the congestion and choking the local roads, also creating significant noise increases. Parking will be another major issue as currently we already compete for a park for our car, I strongly believe this development will only add to the problem.

Now having more information on the development, what about safety? Large trucks on these small narrow roads lined with parked cars, with minimal visibility, my concern is for the many families with young children with a succession of trucks coming and going on a regular basis up & down these very narrow streets - surely this is a risk to be considered? In addition the added pollution to our area due to the traffic increasing and rubbish generated. I understand the trucks will have access from around 5am through to 10pm, 7 days - this will impact on the Village Atmosphere, outdoor dining (more noise & more pollution) and the general safety and well being of residents.

I was so pleased having recently bought in Erskineville, the reason for me buying in this area was specifically the "Village" atmosphere, which has been lost in so many other areas of Sydney. Many of my friends have also bought in the Erskineville area and we all love and adore living here. It would be such a great shame to lose this unique environment in "The City of Villages", which Erskineville residents clearly love and respect.

Personally, I am completely satisfied with the availability of Supermarkets in Marrickville Metro, Broadway and Newtown, I have also read that Green Square is also planning for a Supermarket to be built, is this not enough to service us all? I believe it is. The local shopping area caters perfectly for Erskineville and surrounding locals, and I would hate to see these hardworking individuals who run these great stores shut down due to losing business to a major supermarket chain and destroying this integral part of our Village in the City of Sydney. This will severely change & most likely destroy the Erskineville Village atmosphere forever.

My suggestion to the Council would be to re look at this development and hear what the community is saying to you. I am not against development, but why do we have to accept a large chain supermarket when the impact is going to be so negative for local residents? Are there other solutions the developer can offer that will gain local support? I believe there is always a solution, something to support our local "village" infrastructure would be most welcome.

Is this development in line with the Council's vision for Erskineville as laid out in the City Plan? Can we have an indendent impact study to address the issues of safety, noise, parking, traffic that is communicated to Erskineville residents?

Thank you and regards,

S H
Burren St,
Erskineville

Greetings! Seasonal and otherwise. My name is K C, I lived in and around Erskineville for the last 14 years and worked on and off in some of the shops as did my kids in some of the cafés. I am very fond of the place and as everyone else witnessed lots of changes not without trepidation. So far Erko has taken it on the nose and remained Erko but the traffic and the scarcity of parking we have learned to accept as a fact of life is not going to improve even without a supermarket down the road but with one it will be absolute chaos. There are two primary school on Swanson Street and most of the traffic would pass in front of them. We had a few accidents on the crossings, I cannot recall how many were fatal but I can think of two.
We were informed at a resident meeting that financial loss does not constitute a valid argument in judging whether or not to approve the proposal but it would seem that financial gain is what motivates it, only not the residents and shop owners gain. I do not and would not own property in this area as I find the asking price ridiculous but I can feel the worry of a myriad of owners-residents who would see a down turn in the market price if the area changed drastically. They are the people have been, are and will be paying taxes, and yes money talks either in one big voice or in a chorus of small ones.
In the years I lived in Sydney I have seen Paddington and Balmain become the "right place to be" only to loose the very character that made them attractive in the first place. Erko is in great danger of becoming the next ex-village please don't allow the threat to turn into reality.
I could fill and feel ten more pages of pleas but I think I will spare you and stop here, at least for today.
Yours most respectfully,
K C

Dear Lord Mayor,

I am writing to you to express my serious concern in regard to a DA
application for The Hive Building 21-23 Erskineville Road, Newtown (Cnr of
Erskineville Road and Gowrie Street, Newtown) My understanding is that site
is now earmarked to be used as a supermarket.

As an owner of a property in the adjacent 34 Gowrie street, I have serious
reservations about its intended use.

Let me be clear I am not anti- development. Development correctly chosen can
be great thing. In this case a supermarket in this location would seriously
harm the quality of life of Erskineville.

Apart from traffic congestion, the effects of noise and pollution in a
nearby residential area would be disastrous. A short visit to the site
would show you the narrow streets, the lack of access and the inability of
the local area to cope with long hours of opening.

Simple mathematics show if the turnover is correct in the DA at $20 million
and the let us assume the average purchase is $40 a visit. This translates
into 1000 visits per week which most of the visits occurring on Thursday to
Sunday. Even if customers use the facility by foot or by car the disturbance
to the local area is massive. Residential parking is already very difficult
in Gowrie from 4pm to early morning so how will customers who access the
site, discard their shopping trolleys in a safe way and supermarket freight
be delivered and waste disposed in such a narrow difficult and intimate
urban village setting.

Clearly a supermarket in this location would generate serious environmental
and lifestyle consequences. So I do not say no to a suitable development
choice but a supermarket option is just plain stupid.

So I strongly encourage Sydney City Council to say no to the use of the
proposed site as a supermarket.

Yours faithfully,

A R
Newtown

Dear Clover Moore

As a resident of Erskineville, I'd like to make you aware of my concerns about the proposed development of a supermarket on Erskineville Rd.

My family and I have chosen to live in Erskineville because of the village feeling here. We love shopping at our local deli, grocer, chemist etc and we choose to support them even though they may not always be able to compete on price with the big supermarkets because they offer a kind of service and community spirit that makes me consider it worthwhile investing in their businesses. I fear for the future of these important local businesses if a supermarket is built, and what will be left of our village when those shops, and their community spirit, are gone?

I can see no need for a supermarket, when the Regent St IGA, King St Franklins and Marrickville Metro are a walk or short drive away. Our community has enough supermarkets, thanks.

I am also extremely concerned about the impact on parking and traffic conditions which are already tight in the village.

I ask that you do not allow this development to go ahead without proper community consultation as well as appropriate research into traffic/parking ramifications.

Kind regards
N G

Ms Clover Moore,
Lord Mayor,
City of Sydney,
GPO BOX 1591,
Sydney 2000.
Dear Ms Moore
I write to express my concern and lodge my objection to the current DA application to erect a two storey supermarket building at 21-23 Erskineville Road Newtown. I believe that the area is more than adequately serviced by supermarkets already (Franklins and Foodworks within walking distance and Coles, Woolworths and Aldi a short drive away), the traffic is already too congested for the area and the village atmosphere of Erskineville will be permanently changed if this proposal was to proceed.
Certainly a better quality fruit and vegetable shop and butcher would be welcome and keep locals shopping closer to home – however, this alone is not sufficient to offset the dramatic and detrimental impact of traffic, trucks and late night shopping.

Regards
M B

Ms Clover Moore,
Lord Mayor,
City of Sydney,
GPO BOX 1591,
Sydney 2000
I object to the proposed Development because it will have negative social impacts on our village and streets.

Traffic on Erskineville Road and Bridge is already over-saturated, as are Gowrie Street, Angel Street, Angel Lane, Wilson Street intersection and King Street intersection. This already impedes pedestrian as well as vehicular traffic but this is now manageable because the Village atmosphere positively affects people’s social responses. The proposed Development will take away the Village atmosphere by increasing traffic, especially commercial traffic, creating health hazards from engine fumes, including fumes of idling engines. Traffic congestion, air pollution, engine noises, parking problems all will impact negatively on Erskineville Village.

Access for Emergency Services is also at issue, especially Fire Engines and Ambulances, which already experience significant difficulty of access. Our City Village needs best practice for its Emergency Services but increased traffic blockages will prevent this.

Road safety issues, include increased risk to vehicles parked in Erskineville's narrow streets, as well as pedestrians, especially children.

P K
Rochford Street,
Erskineville

Dear Sir,

Thank for your recent email. Surprisingly,we live in Northbridge but have developed a fondness for the atmosphere and facilities of the Newtown / Erskineville area.We visit regularly and even attended Thursday's Community Meeting..When we purchasrd in1967,Northbridge had a village atmosphere similar to Erskineville.Over the years, the developments together with the planned DA's will have converted Northbridge into a mini Chatswood. Obviously, all these facilities are not needed by our local residents but attract shoppers from miles around with resultant traffic congestion in spite of the Plaza having a large car park.On Saturday's it is almost imposible for residents to get out of Northbridge or for our friends to visit.
Erskineville residents will have to accept that the approval of this DA would be the beginning of the destruction of the village atmosphere. Woolworths ( or Coles) do not need the extra generated sales. Their main aim is to destroy the existing small business people and ,so, compel residents to shop with them.Woolworths will completely disregard any Council imposed conditions.if thy detract from their operations. Once the supermarket is in operation,very little can be done to punish them. The odd fine will not worry them.
In time, there will be a supermarket and a lot of closed shops. Eventually, these empty shops will be bought by a developer and converted into modern apartment blocks. In 1967, we had 4 independent butchers,now we have 1. We had 2 hardware stores, now, the nearest is at Artarmon.
The approval of this DA for a supermarket will be the destruction of Erskineville as we know it today.Please give the DA careful consideration --especially its social impact on the existing residents.
Yours sincerely
R M

Dear Clover Moore

I have previously written about the esrkineville Road development of a
supermarket. Since then I've attended the community meeting held last
Thursday. It seems the traffic impact is the area that Council can act upon
so I'll address that. I live in Albert St opposite the "hive". Every
afternoon I witness cars and small trucks racing up our street to try to
avoid Erskineville rd which is bumper to bumper between about 4pm and
6.30pm. When they realise they cannot turn right they quite often do anyway
by going up over the median strip on the crest of a hill, very dangerous.
With a supermarket in the area there will be more cars and trucks attempting
this, because as we know most people drive to the supermarket.

Most houses in Erskineville are workers cottages with no off-street parking.
We park our cars on the street and its very difficult even now to get a
parking spot without the added cars driving to a supermarket. On the
weekends many people who drive to enjoy King Street Newtown park in albert
St as there are no meters and King Street is always full. This already makes
it difficult for residents to park in their own streets. If people cannot
find a park they park illegally or on the vacant land on the corner of
baldwin st and Albert st.

Finally, if this development does go ahead does this mean that all the one
way street behind the development will need to be made two-way? How will
cars pass one another in these narrow streets? If all parking goes in those
streets where will the residents park? And how will large supermarket
delivery trucks negotiate these narrow roads?

Regards
J F
Albert Street
Erskineville

Dear Clover

As a resident of Alexandria for 26 years, and a user of the amenities in Erskineville for the same period, I am totally opposed to the idea of building this supermarket.

I am not anti-development. In fact, that last letter I wrote to council was to support a development on Copeland Street, Alexandria. I supported it enthusiastically because it built on the village character of Erskineville and the part of Alexandria bordering it.

The proposed supermarket in Erskineville will have the opposite effect, for two reasons - the type of shop and the traffic created.

I can expand on this if necessary, but think other have already done so most convincingly.

W C
Maddox Street
Alexandria


]]> 08. More Letters http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=25 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:16:10 +0900 http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=23 The following are residents letters written to the Lord Mayor and Councillors of the City of Sydney, please join your fellow residents by writing to express your views via this website.

Dear Clover,

We are very concerned long time residents (and rate payers) of Erskineville village. We are horrified to hear that there is a Woolworths or Coles planned for the Hive site on Erskineville Road.

With the railway yards at one end of Albert Street, and now a Woolies at the other, what is Erskineville becoming?

The village is looking great these days, with cafes and local businesses, pubs and even a tarot card reader... We just don't want, and we really don't need, a Woolies in this area. There are plenty of large supermarkets a stone's throw away.

The planned development has ridiculously limited parking and will impact the area very hard in terms of both parking and increased traffic. We're already bearing the burden of ever increasing traffic flows through our little area. We really can't handle any more (particularly on Charles Street which has had a very rough trot in recent years).

Please encourage small business use of the Hive site. We'd love a decent butcher (there's only one in the whole Erko/Newtown area!) and fruit and vege shop. A music teaching school would be welcome, really, almost anything would be better than the monochrome, characterless, mass-produced Woolworths.

We love your approach to building villages in the City of Sydney area. A Woolworths would ruin the Erskineville/Newtown village atmosphere without doubt.

We intend to be very active in campaigning against this proposal. We're sure you wouldn't want it - so please let us know what more we can do to prevent it,

Yours sincerely,
GM
Charles Street
Erskineville

Dear Clover,

I was disheartened to hear this morning that there are plans for
another large shopping centre in our area, which will adversely
impact the viability of the Erskineville Village, and the quality of
the area.

When my husband and I moved to Sydney a few years ago, we looked all
over the inner west and settled on Erskineville. We thoroughly enjoy
living in the area, especially because of the atmosphere in the
Erskineville Village.

I am sure that there are many other viable uses for the Hive site,
that don't require the full trappings of a commercial supermarket,
and can operate without creating traffic chaos.

Regards
S P

Dear Clover,

I live in Morrissey Road, Erskineville and am extremely concerned about the proposed supermarket development currently known as "The Hive" on the corner of Erskineville Road and Gowrie Street, Erskineville.

The proposed development will forever change the character of our village and community which is vibrant but small, with current traffic congestion in peak times and existing competition over car spaces. Our community could not sustain a development such as that which is proposed. The impact in terms of additional traffic, the noise factor in a very contained area with narrow streets, and pressure on car parking would be devastating.

Another issue which makes this development so unnecessary is the extent of access our community already has to surrounding supermarkets and major retail outlets.

There are many other associated factors which make this proposal so unacceptable in Erskineville. Perhaps the one that is most difficult to understand is how someone with your wonderful vision of sustaining village environments in the inner city area could allow something so disastrous as this proposal to even be considered.

I implore you to intervene and bring some rationale to this issue before our village vibrancy, attraction and sustainability are destroyed, along with all of our hopes for visionary leadership.

Regards
B C


Dear Clover,

It is with significant concern that I today received information about the proposed change in the usage of the Erskineville Road site known as the Hive.

Many people comment to my wife and I how lovely Erskineville is and how it has a real community feeling. This is becasue of appropriately sized facilites including shopping which maintain a sense of scale and facilitate direct contact with and between residents.

A supermarket is totally at odds with Erskineville and I call on you to take steps to prevent this application proceeding.

You will remember the community campaigns to save the Erskineville housing commision site and Erskineville public school, you and your Council are about to face a similar campaign.

Please demonstrate your commitment to our environment, listen to the community and stand by your own words when you proudly stated that you wanted to create a number of villages throughout the City of Sydney area.

M B
George Street,
Erskineville

Dear Clover,

I am a concerned resident living in the Erskineville Village. My concerns relate to the proposed development of the “hive” site.

I believe if a major supermarket was to be introduced at this site it would be absolutely detrimental to the entire Erskineville suburb.

It would unquestionably change our suburb forever, introducing intolerable and unnecessary levels of noise, traffic and congestion.

This proposed development would introduce an unnecessary and inappropriate style of business to an attractive inner west area that maintains a strong level of real estate value due to its village atmosphere. A development like this would definitely detract value from the suburb. Not to mention the already existing numbers of supermarkets in the area. We just don’t need another supermarket.

When reading the literature published by the “Friends of Erskineville Village” it concerns me that there has been a lack of consultation and impact studies done for this proposed development.

The council’s strategic vision for the city of villages is wonderful. So much work has already been done.

It would be a shame to have a development that does not fit in, put together in haste when a little more thought can provide a solution. At the very least, we believe we deserve the benefit of a proper independent impact study and community consultation with you and the Councillors, similar to your engagement with Fowler Reserve.

Yours faithfully

J B

Dear Clover,

I went to my local “village” bread shop in Erskineville this afternoon to buy some fresh bread and I was confronted with details of a proposal to build a supermarket on the corner of Gowrie St and Erskineville Rd….You have to be joking!!!!!!

Erskineville is one of the oldest suburbs in Sydney, with a number of small businesses servicing the locals. Building a major supermarket would tear out the heart of the village and send most of the existing businesses broke. I must add that many of these businesses began in Erskineville when it was considered an undesirable and dodgy suburb. City of Sydney Council has a morale obligation to make decisions in consultation with all who could potentially be affected by development proposals. In this case you had better consult with every person living in Erskineville!

I would also encourage you to get in your car this week and to drive up Erskineville Rd between 5 and 6pm. You will see the traffic congestion, the lack of parking and the mayhem that develops around peak hour traffic. As a local, I don’t mind driving to Marrickville Metro to do my shopping because…Guess What?…It’s down the road! Why on earth would we want a supermarket to be built right in the middle of our village when it could potentially revert the village back to a ghost town ghetto of the past. I am all about providing facilities to make life convenient for residents, however I strongly believe that we already have those facilities in surrounding Newtown, Marrickville, Marrickville Metro and Broadway.

I expect a response from council and would like an outline of what community consultation has taken place and what will take place in the future. Erskineville is a community and we all know each other very well. I am including a number of my Erskineville friends in this email and I imagine that you will receive many more emails relating to this potential DA (Friends in Erko – Please forward to everyone you know in Erskineville as we may have a fight on our hands)

It’s about time councils stopped thinking about money and started thinking about their residents (Those who page their wages).

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

C T

George St
Erskineville

Dear Clover,

My home has been in Newman Street, Newtown for seven years and I am very fond of the area.

As such, the proposal to create a supermarket in the ‘HIVE’ building on Erskineville Road troubles me greatly.

The area is more than adequately served already by four supermarkets of various sizes within easy walking distance.

Traffic congestion and non-availability of parking are extremely problematic. Frequently, especially late at night, I am forced to park several hundred metres and several streets from home because there is nowhere nearer to park.

I am very worried by the threat to my village way of life posed by large commercial projects developed without adequate community consultation and which are out of step with the broader strategy of creating a City of Villages.

I am not opposed to development of the ‘HIVE’ site per se, but believe a large supermarket is not what the area needs.

Yours sincerely

R G

Dear Clover,

We are concerned residents of Erskineville and oppose the proposed two storey Woolworths or Coles on the corner of Erskineville Rd and Gowrie Streets Erskineville. My wife and I don’t believe the proposed development would add anything to the area or the community. Our needs are already well met by supermarkets in Newtown, Broadway and Marrickville. It wouldn’t be practical for us to shop there as there would be restricted parking (20 spaces?). Other factors causing us great concern would be the addition to the already heavy traffic on Erskineville Rd, the affect it will have on the existing businesses in Erskineville village and the impact on residents in the immediate vicinity.

However, we are in favour of a development of the site but only one which is harmonious in character and scale with its surroundings and where the following has been done comprehensively –

1. a consultation with affected residents/ landlords

2. traffic, retail and social impact studies

It is a source of great disappointment that these studies or consultations have not been undertaken or done in respect of this supermarket proposal.
Let’s do the right thing for the long term for the area and its community which we strongly believe it not a supermarket!

Regards

I & I
Bridge Street,
Erskineville

Dear Ms Moore,

I am emailing you on behalf of myself and my family who are residents of Erskineville. We recently moved to Erskineville (12 months ago) after having lived in Potts Point for twelve years. The reason we were so drawn to Erskineville was our relief to have found what we think is the last real village left in Sydney. It streets are reminiscent of something that was once unique to this city and has, since the 2000 olympics, been destroyed by development. The quite, communal nature of our shopping strip makes it a breath of fresh air to frequent. Our local grocers know us by name, what we like, what we need. parking is always available for the quick drop in for milk etc.

I fear this will be destroyed by the opening of a large supermarket. I have seen this happen in Potts Point and in the kings Cross area. The opening of woolworths on mcleay street, within such close proximity to an already existing coles was unecessary and saw the closure of many of the small businesses in the area which resulted in Kings Cross looking like a FOR LEASE ghost town (now inhabited by overpriced luxury homewares stores). Erskineville does not need to go down this path. It was the reason that families like ours moved out of the kings Cross area that was once synonymous with its bohemian village atmosphere and has today ended up like double bay. we don't want that happening to erskineville too. Erskineville is the last village that is truly left in sydney "the city of villages". Please help us to save it.

Your's Sincerly
C F

hi,

thank you so much for the effort you are putting in to stop this
ridiculous development. i've just returned from 4 months overseas and
only now become aware of the proposal.

i would like to offer whatever assistance i can. i am a professional
town planner (don't shoot me!) with 10 years experience. i work for the
state govt. obviously i can't offer assistance in my work capacity but
as a concerned resident of erko i'd certainly like to do my bit.
i'm on maternity leave 'til january so have some time, but also need to
work around my baby.

can you tell me whether a DA has been lodged for the proposal with syd
city council? if so, when and what supporting documents were supplied,
and who is looking after the DA in council? also who is the owner of
the site? is the owner and the applicant the same person/company?

looking forward to hearing from you.

P

hi,

it is disgraceful even to think of adding another development in the erko area. it is so good with our narrow streets to try &limit traffic flow & therefore making living in erko so much more enjoyable. to put a supermarket there with the narrow streets would make living in this lovely part of sydney unbearable!!! the noise, pollution, traffic increases would be hideous.
the slower village atmosphere is wonderful while the bustle of newtown only minutes away if one wants to go there.there are more than enough shops to serve our purposes with plenty of supermarkets nearby. please dont pass this application. it will destroy erskineville as we know it & to which many people have moved here to enjoy it as it is.

j h

Ms Clover Moore,
Lord Mayor,
City of Sydney,
GPO BOX 1591,
Sydney 2000.

Dear Ms Moore ,

DA for SUPERMARKET STRUCTURE ERSKINEVILLE RD – INAPPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT

Erskineville village is a real gem, and provides local residents all the amenity needed in the area. We don't need another supermarket in the area, nor the heavy truck traffic, influx of cars and other disruptions from a large retail development. Erskineville Road can't take any more cars (or especially trucks) - the village risks becoming as noisy and unwelcoming as King Street
I support the friends of Erskineville village proposal that the council considers the DA approval only after an independent SOCIAL IMPACT STUDY has been completed including traffic, parking, noise and other potential ramifications.
I concur with the friends of Erskineville village claim that the development in its current form is inconsistent with the character of the Village, and ask that you and the Council reconsider if this is an appropriate use of the site, given the accessibility limitations and character of the village.

Yours Sincerely,

T L

Watkin St,
Newtown

Dear Clover,

DA for SUPERMARKET STRUCTURE ERSKINEVILLE RD – SOCIAL IMPACT & TRAFFIC

We applaud the work that has been undertaken by the council to enhance Erskineville Village (and other City of Sydney villages such as Glebe). The councils strategic vision for the city of villages is wonderful.
However, we are very concerned about the proposed development for the Hive site on Erskineville Road, in particular the impact of traffic on local streets and resident parking availability.
The streets around this site are already narrow and have been structured to encourage local traffic only. If the temporary road closures over the last 6 months due to the construction of the new Erskineville railway bridge are any indication, then the traffic impact for the surrounding streets will be extremely significant of this proposal.
More work needs to be done to understand the TRAFFIC & SOCIAL IMPACTS on Erskineville Village

We would like council to undertake much more community consultation before considering this application to determine the SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC IMPACT ON our Village & life?

v parking scarcity & traffic congestion in local streets ?
v large trucks & significant noise pre-dawn, morning, day and night?
v the impact on local businesses?
v will an alternative commercially viable mixed use development type enhance the village and meet developers needs (some residents consulted with a developer/builder who thinks it is entirely possible).

We propose…
C the council considers the DA approval only after an independent SOCIAL IMPACT STUDY has been completed including traffic, parking, noise and other potential ramifications. Can any actions that can be taken to improve the result for developer, residents and visitors alike?
At the very least, we believe we deserve the benefit of a proper independent impact study and community consultation with you and the Councillors.

Yours Sincerely,
M & R
Newman St,
Newtown

Dear Lord Mayor,

I'm extremely concerned about the possibility of a supermarket on the
site in Erskineville Road known as The Hive.

I think that the narrow streets will not support the traffic flow or
the parking requirements.

The main road, Erskineville Road, is already under great pressure,
and the influx of shopper and delivery traffic will make things worse.

I like the idea of a new supermarket in the area, but I think that
the Ashmore Industrial Estate is a much more appropriate venue.

Yours sincerely

K K
Jennings Street
Alexandria

Ms Clover Moore,
Lord Mayor,
City of Sydney,
GPO BOX 1591,
Sydney 2000.

Dear Clover,

DA for SUPERMARKET STRUCTURE ERSKINEVILLE RD – SOCIAL IMPACT & TRAFFIC

We applaud the work that has been undertaken by the council to enhance
Erskineville Village and we believe the proposed development in
Erskineville Road will detract from what has been an excellent job.

We do not need another supermarket, when there's:

• already a Franklins in King Street,
• a proposal to expand and renovation of the Foodworks supermarket
corner of Newman and King street (to become a 1 full floor
supermarket), and
• 4 supermarkets are planned to be built in the Green Square area.

More work needs to be done to understand the TRAFFIC & SOCIAL IMPACTS
on Erskineville Village

No one really knows exactly how yet, but one thing is for sure, our
Village will be changed forever.

We need proper consultation to determine the SOCIAL IMPACT ON our
Village & life?

• parking scarcity & traffic congestion (attracting from Alexandria area)?
• large trucks & significant noise pre-dawn, morning, day and night?
• will your favourite small businesses on Erskineville Road survive?
• will an alternative commercially viable mixed use development type
enhance the village and meet developers needs (some residents
consulted with a developer/builder who thinks it is entirely
possible).

We propose…

the council considers the DA approval only after an independent SOCIAL
IMPACT STUDY has been completed including traffic, parking, noise and
other potential ramifications. In particular is such a development in
its current form consistent with the character of the Village ? Can
any actions that can be taken to improve the result for developer,
residents and visitors alike?

The councils strategic vision for the city of villages is wonderful.
So much work has already been done.

It would be a shame to have a development that does not fit in, put
together in haste when a little more thought can provide a solution.
At the very least, we believe we deserve the benefit of a proper
independent impact study and community consultation with you and the
Councillors, similar to your engagement with Fowler Reserve.

Yours Sincerely,

B G
Newton Street
Alexandria

Dear Clover,

This email is written as a strong protest regarding the proposed turning of the building known as ‘the hive’ into supermarket shopping. There is plenty of within walking distance shopping up on King St. For those with cars, who like to do a big shop – Broadway and Marrickville are not too far away. When I voted for this council, I did so confident that Sydney had a eye to overdevelopment.

We have two small green parks on Erskineville Road thanks, not to councils but workers’ green bans. We lost the parking areas near the railway bridges ( about 10 years ago ) when council would not come to the party and do a deal with the rail authority to secure those parking spaces. Now, I see that business in Newtown is struggling because of all the metred parking along King st.

Perhaps a better use of the’Hive’ site would be to for council to provide parking for those who wish to come and enjoy the delights of Newtown and Erskineville. Even better, perhaps we could get a building union to slap on green bans with regard to tearing down and rebuilding the site. It would achieve yet another itsy bitsy green space in our very much depleted green grass space in this part of town.

The last thing I want to see on my dog walking exercise is more abandoned shop trolleys

Erskineville is not one of those sprawling mall building suburbs. Please come up with a more amenable to the area design.

G M
Wilson St.
Newtown

Dear Clover,

Please don’t let the developers ruin our beautiful
peaceful small inner-city village that we all love so
much called Erskineville. Please keep the big players
out and give the small shop owners a fair go.

Also our streets are now full of kids riding their
bikes, playing and walking to and from school - more
traffic will undoubtfully make this a more dangerous
excercise. And a SUPERMARKET always attracts vehicular
traffic and dangerous parking practices if there is no
big car park provided.

Why don’t they put a super market near Bunnings or
Domayne Shopping malls where they really could really
do with a grocery supermarket and where they have
plenty of space and parking and lots of new housing
developments?

Kind regards,

S O

Dear Clover,

Our household is so concerned about this development. It is a huge store for
such a small community and Erskineville Rd is already so congested. We have
plenty of supermarkets in the area: Foodworks (which is large and set to
expand) and Franklins on king steet, as well as the mall with Coles and
Bi-lo at Broadway. This is just unnecessary. This is not the kind of village
atmosphere you have portrayed in your city of villages materials. We finally
have some great little delis and cake shops and restaurants in Erskineville
and this will ruin their businesses. Please do not let this development
through!

Regards
J F
Resident/Owner
Albert Street
Erskineville

Dear Clover,

I was astounded to read of the proposed development of the Hive buildiing in Erskineville Road. It would absolutely ruin the village atmosphere of the area, create hopeless bottlenecks of traffic, make living in the village a nightmare with noise and parking problems and is unnecessary anyway. The suburb is well served with supermarkets and certainly doesn't need a Coles or Woolworths with their accompanying liquor stores. Please do your utmost to stop this crazy development. I visit my family at least once a week as a grandparent and would be devastated to find the suburb ruined for my children and grandchildren.

Regards
D M

Dear Clover,

I am greatly concerned about the supermarket development planned for Erskineville Village. As I'm sure you are aware this small suburb enjoys a truly community feel and this would be destroyed by the proposed supermarket. As one of the only true villages in Sydney it would be a sad day to allow developers to take over an area that is much loved and admired by many. If you wish to stay true to the Council's vision of "a city of villages" then I urge you to strongly oppose this suggested development and ask for community consultation to ensure a happy outcome for all concerned.

Regards,
W M

Dear Ms Moore

We were alarmed to hear today of a proposal to develop the Hive at Erskineville into a two level supermarket. Our key concerns are as follows:
1. Overall impact on Erskinveville Village
We are proud of our village and the community feel it provides to local residents and visitors. We believe that the development would be inconsistent with the character of our village and the council's strategic vision for Erskineville Village as articulated in the new City Plan.
2. Existing adequate provision of supermarket facilities in our local area
We as Erskineville/Newtown residents are more than satisfactorily serviced by supermarkets on King Street (Franklins and Foodworks), and nearby Marrickville Metro (Woolworths) and Broadway (Coles, Harris Farm and Bi Lo). In addition there are plans to build four supermarkets in the nearby Green Square area. Within Erskineville village we enjoy the services provided by high quality local businesses, including a deli, green grocer, baker, fresh food providor, liquor store, chemist, newsagent and mini market, in addition to the numerous food and other retail outlets along King St.
3. Impact on traffic
The impact on traffic would be serious, in an area which already suffers significant traffic congestion, a lack of parking and traffic noise. This has been highlighted during the recent construction of the train stabling facility at Macdonaldtown, with increased commercial traffic causing congestion on Erskineville Road. Delivery and garbage trucks servicing the proposed supermarket would be forced to use narrow side streets, causing significant noise and delays. Local residents already do battle with visitors to our area for parking outside our homes and this would likely be exacerbated by any users of the proposed supermarket given the inadequate number of parking spaces included in the plans.
4. Lack of community consultation
We are concerned that there appears to have been very limited community consultation with directly impacted residents and the wider Erskineville community.
We request that the council completes an independent social impact and traffic study, including traffic, parking, noise, and other community implications prior to considering approval of the proposed development. We remember in your address at the opening of our Town Hall you spoke of your own pride in Erskineville's place in the City of Villages. We look forward to our village continuing for ourselves and our children for many years to come.

Yours sincerely
P & N
Copeland Avenue
Newtown

Dear Clover,

How can this possibly be allowed in a suburb like Erskineville?

- Little or no community consultation

- massive social impact

- traffic congestion that will impact the whole suburb

- impact on the local stores

- parking for local residents will be obliterated

This is completely unacceptable and our suburb will hold you accountable if it is left to go ahead.

Concerned Resident,

L J

Dear Clover

Please help us preserve the village community and spirit of Erskineville by reviewing the DA of the HIve. You have promoted the “City of Villages” – now put your support where it counts.

We have no need for a supermarket, and the congestion and noise will destroy the atmosphere of Erskineville, let alone the local small businesses.

Thank you

S R

Dear Ms Moore,

I am writing to you to express my concern over the proposed supermarket in Erskineville.

I believe the impact on traffic including on King Street, Erskineville Road, Gowrie Street, Angel Street and Angel Lane with increased commercial traffic will be serious. Parking scarcity, traffic congestion and significant noise are important concerns.

Do we need another supermarket when we already have a Franklins in King Street, Foodworks ( Newman & King St ) is doubling in size with a $500,000 upgrade, Marrickville Metro and Broadway are very close & 4 supermarkets are planned to be built in the Green Square area.

I request that Council only consider the DA approval only after an INDEPENDENT SOCIAL IMPACT and TRAFFIC STUDY has been completed including traffic, parking, noise, impact upon community and other potential ramifications.

Is such a development in its current form consistent with the character of Erskineville Village (and further reinforcment of the council's push for a 'city of villages')? Can any actions that can be taken to improve the result for developer, residents and visitors alike?

Regards,

S T
Brennan St
Alexandria

Dear City of Sydney

I am seriously concerned about the direction this "Hive" development is going. There are so many reasons why it is enjoyable living on GOWRIE STREET. I have owned a house here for ten years and I have worked very hard my whole life to have a house in this neighbourhood. I implore you to not agree to develop the Hive on Gowrie Street into a supermarket complex.

This development idea is horrible and this is why:

It is very community orientated mentality, we know all of our neighbours and their pets! We do not want a large complex with another shopping centre. There are many in the area such as FOODWORKS, MARRICKVILLE and BROADWAY, FRANKLINS and SURRY HILLS CENTRE This will cause much havoc and will pollute our community on many levels - Large commercial complexes and commercial vehicles, do not belong in a community of this size. How on earth can you justify that this small neighbourhood can support the ramifications of a complex like this? The vehicles, the amount of traffic and people will be be too much for our community infrastructure. The parking and traffic is appalling and pushed to the limit already.
We do not need additional traffic noise or black soot created by car and truck exhaust fumes.
We have enough traffic congestion and the parking situation is appalling. After you crawl along Erskineville Road and other surrounding streets at a snails pace, it now has become extremely difficult to get a parking spot in the neighbourhood.
More and more restaurants and cafe, bars and other businesses are opening in the area. More people are driving to the area to frequent the local venues. We have enough commercial businesses - the area can not sustain the impact.
Thank you for you time and consideration

P K
Gowrie Street
Newtown

Dear Mayor,

I think the proposed supermarket development on the corner of
Erskineville Road and Union Street would have major negative impacts
on the neighbourhood and the village, and it would make the already
congested traffic even worse. A two-storey supermarket in a
residential area with narrow streets with no parking to speak of
would be a disaster. Please reject the application.
regards,
M F
Belmont Street
Alexandria

Dear Village Friends Organisers,

Thank you so much for all your work and effort as it is greatly appreciated. I have written to Clover Moore and indeed received a response. I have also signed the petition and so has my sister in Newtown, my son and his wife in Newtown/Erskineville.

I am now enthused to write again to Clover Moore as like you I too am adamant that such an huge commercial corporate development is not allowed. it was work towards destroying the delicate fabric of our little Erskineville village.

with thanks
yours sincerely,
J L

Dear Lord Mayor,

We are writing to indicate our wholehearted support of the Friends of Erskineville Village network in our rejection of the planned Woolworths at the former Hive property, on Erskineville Road.

We wish to support their request for a suburb-wide consultation. We doubt this proposal will be sustainable in view of such a consulation - otherwise residents as far afield as ourselves (in Charles Street for example) will bear the brunt of an increased community burden - including terrible traffic - when our residential roads are already overloaded.

We do not want yet more heavy vehicles using our street and yet we are the rat run that produce trucks will employ to access the new supermarket, 24/7.

Please consider this application in view of the serious impact it will have on the neighbourhood. Should the proposal go ahead then as long term residents and ratepayers, we request a full review of the Erskineville amenity - including traffic flow and parking restrictions - and then the application of appropriate measures to contain and mitigate the substantial on-flow effects.

Yours sincerely,
N & G
Charles Street
Erskineville

I note that the proposed development will involve trucks exiting the site via Angel Street. This will present a problem due to the fact that as a result of work being undertaken on the railway bridge, Angel St will be significantly narrowed at its junction with Erskineville Rd. A truck will have difficulty turning around this corner and would, I suspect, be unable to turn left into Erskineville Rd without blocking traffic flowing eastwards.
Also, what will happen if more than one truck wants to use the delivery dock at any one time? Where will the other truck(s) wait?
I hope you can include this in any objection to the proposed development.

Regards,

G N

Dear Ms Moore,

It is very upsetting to see a development of such a large scale is being considered for Erskineville Village.
Over recent years Erskineville has been transformed into a charming inner city oasis. The area has a welcoming feel & a real sense of community is growing which is so nice in this day & age when many people have forgotten to smile & say hello to a passer by. The social impact a development like this will have on the area is extremely high & totally unnecessary. Another supermarket, not to mention 2 supermarkets are not needed.
Surely an independent social impact & traffic study is required. This should be mandatory for such a development and truly hope council will see this is completed.
Careful consideration needs to be given to this development. Several parts of this proposal are a concern – impact on increased traffic to the area, parking issues, impact to the environment, narrow streets ability to service increased movement of large trucks, increased noise from trucks & shoppers up to 10pm! every night !!

This area is surrounded by families with small children & older residents, safety issues to them are a huge concern. Especially considering there are several better locations close by that would better suit a development of this type & size.

Please help, this is not a development that is going to benefit the community or make Erskineville a better or safer place to live.
Regards

D D

Regarding DA Notification: D/2007/1932, 21-23 Erskineville Road NEWTOWN
NSW 2042

Dear Mr Jameson,

I wish to lodge my objection to the above development.

Erskineville has a wonderful, unique village atmosphere. I believe a two
story supermarket, with all it brings: increased traffic, increased on
street parking and noise from delivery trucks will have a serious impact
on the quality of life of local residents and the general ambiance of
our community.

Erskineville Road is already a traffic nightmare, which regularly
bottlenecks as it approaches King Street; this is precisely where cars
and trucks will be turning to enter the development. The reality is the
majority of people drive to the supermarket, the impact to the traffic
on Erksineville Road will be devastating. What I find particularly
troubling is the impact it will have on the smaller streets surrounding
the development. Constant traffic of people looking for parking, not to
mention large delivery trucks, will ruin the ‘flavour’ of these Erko
backstreets and have a seriously impact on the quality of life of
residents.

Parking in the inner city is already at a premium, 31 car spaces is no
where near enough to cater for the needs of staff and customers. No
matter how much people should walk and use public transport, when it
comes to shopping most people drive. What is the alternative: resident
parking only where people cannot have friends and relatives visit
without fear of a large parking fine? That is if they can get a park,
which is hard enough now.

Such a development, with a large potential to get so many things wrong,
needs broad community consultation. I look forward to the Council
providing such before any further decisions are made.

Kind regards,

A N
Allen Lane,
Alexandria

(I may not live next door, but I am part of the community impacted by
this development)

Dear Clover,

I would like to inform you of my disappointment, in learning of this proposed development of a supermarket by either Coles or Woolworths. Myself and my partner Narelle, believe this would be devastating for the local area.

Erskineville is very congested at peak times with vehicle traffic and has been slowly getting worse in non-peak periods. The quietness that is appreciated in the late hours of the day and early morning, shall be disrupted by more heavy vehicles making daily deliveries. Increased noise levels generated from those going to and from, because of the long operating hours. The supermarket shall also attract those of us that are less well off, to gather and ask for money etc. This is a very well known common problem in Newtown and it would be unfortunate for this to spread to Erskineville.

Lastly might I add a suggestion with so much negativity J I believe a development this large, would obviously be more suited to an area like Alexandria or Green Sq, NOT Erskineville.

Yours Sincerely,

A C & N W
Lawrence St,
Alexandria.


Dear Ms Moore,

As a home owner in John Street, Erskineville for the last few years, I’m deeply concerned about the impact of the proposed development at The Hive Building, Erskineville Road.

My primary concerns centre around both the lack of consultation and independent social impact and traffic studies that have taken place, and more importantly the impact to the lifestyle of the people that live in our community, the local businesses and the impact to property values.

Any resident in the area knows the current difficulties in parking and the congestion already that exists as traffic heads to Newtown. The beauty of Erskineville is its tight sense of community in a world today that so lacks that. Residents feel safe, secure and a sense of loyalty and pride to the local businesses that service the area. The thought of a major supermarket is disturbing. I personally would boycott any use of such a business and continue to favour the many other supermarkets located in the area. I’m sure I am not alone in this view.

I would seek to request that Council only consider the DA approval only after an INDEPENDENT SOCIAL IMPACT and TRAFFIC STUDY has been completed including traffic, parking, noise, impact upon community and other potential ramifications. In particular is such a development in its current form consistent with the character of the Village? Can any actions that can be taken to improve the result for developer, residents and visitors alike?

Your consideration as to the wishes and needs of the people in this small village would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards

A H
John Street
Erskineville

To whom it may concern,
As a resident of Newman St (around the corner from the proposed site) I am extremely concern with some major issues of the development of 21-23 Erskinville Rd.
The parking in our street
This will be of a great problem to us, as now there is hardly any parking let alone once the customers of the shop and employees taking the few parking spaces we have. Our end of Newman street has a no limit parking, Which employees will take full advantage of taking all our limited parking.
Increased traffic.
As Erskinville Rd is only two lanes. The increased amount of cars coming from king street turning right into the Gowie Street parking, blocks all traffic from passing and will increase the all ready busy traffic jams on a week day afternoon. Not to mention the delivery trucks trying to make that corner.
Noise.
The hours from 7am till 10pm, seven days are week are a complete miss regard for all of the residents living in the area,
Weekends from 7am till the middle of the night.
I don't think that it anyone wants beeping delivery trucks and extra traffic throughout the early hours of morning and night,
Would you ?
Not to mention the extra foot traffic at night and rubbish.
I think that a proposal to develop the site is a great idea. The space has been empty for too long, but we don't need another shop let alone a supermarket.
Why not a Gallery or cultural centre ? with reasonable opening hours that will lift and improve the Erskinville community.
Please let us stay the little village we are with small shops and atmosphere and keep the big businesses out, they will only destroy our village heart.
Yours sincerely

E B
Newman St
Newtown,

Dear Ms. Moore,

As a resident of Erskineville, I am gravely concerned about the prospect of the new supermarket development being proposed. Firstly, there are many supermarkets in close proximity to Erskineville, and I am very worried how such a development will affect parking in the area, which is already problematic. Also, Erskineville is one of the few suburbs that still has a ‘village’ feel, and in such an urban city, I think most residents would agree that this is rare and it should be restored.

If I can provide any further information, or if it would be helpful to voice my concerns in another form, please let me know.

Yours faithfully,

E C


Dear Clover

I believe that the New Woolworths that is planned will completely destroy the village feel of Erskineville. Not only that but it will put a lot of strain on the small businesses in the area by price cutting them and putting them out of business.

Erskineville is not suitable for a large supermarket as it has enough traffic and lack of parking already, how can it handle more traffic flow due to the supermarket.

The facilities are already suitable enough for Erskineville and if people want to go to a large supermarket they can go to Franklins in Newtown or Woolworths in Marrickville. We have been doing this at the moment and it is very convenient so there is no need for another supermarket in the area.

Please keep Erskineville quaint and small, people enjoy coming to our area because it has a village feel. If we start adding large supermarkets the whole suburb will change. Why do we need it?? Is it really necessary to ruin one of the nicest suburbs in Sydney by putting in a large supermarket and commercialising it?? Soon it will be like every other suburb with all the normal shops along it and no independents. Is this what we want for Erskineville?

Thank you for your time and I would really would hope that you can fully look into this before you approve its construction.

Regards

A H
Lawrence Street
Alexandria


Dear Ms Moore,

As a new homeowner in Erskineville, I am very concerned at the recent
letterbox drop regarding the "corner market" on Erskineville Rd.
Most of all, I'm concerned that the marketing of this market seems to
be deceptive - from looking elsewhere, I gather that not only will it
be (more or less) just another supermarket, but even worse will be
operated by Woolworths and/or Coles, so we can look forward to the
same anti-competitive duopoly tactics being brought into our village.
A major attraction of living in Erskineville is the village
atmosphere, which includes having the small, independent
grocery/convenience store and greengrocer, just down the road. I'm
afraid that opening a Woolies-in-disguise just up the road would
likely send such small businesses to the wall.

I personally don't live close enough to be bothered by the inevitable
increase in noise from that development, but decent consideration for
others requires that I ask you to consider that impact.

Compared to what *could* be put on that corner (which is an excellent
location for development consistent with the feel of Erskineville),
just-another-supermarket is not only a tragic waste of opportunity,
but also completely unnecessary: we have a local grocery store just
down the road, a Franklins on King St, and a Foodworks (soon to be
even bigger) next to Newtown station. On occasions when I need a big
supermarket (and let's face it - on those occasions, I'm buying too
much to carry by hand), a 5 minute drive gets me to Marrickville
Metro. We simply don't need another supermarket.

Please conduct a proper study of the impact on the local community
and businesses prior to considering the DA that has been filed. I
personally would like to see the application in its present form
rejected, but at least it should not be processed until a genuine
community consultation takes place.

Sincerely,
R D
Union St
Erskineville

Dear Clover,

First let me say I think you are doing a fantastic job for the people
of Sydney. I know you will listern to the concerns of residents in
the Erskineville area. I live and work in the area and I am very
concerned about the proposed two storey supermarket development in
Eskinville.

The main areas I am concerned about is the increase in trafic and the
reduction in diversity of little shops. If you want to shop at a
supermarket there are already plenty in the area. I personally do my
major shopping in Marrickville Metro.

Esrskinville really does have a village atmosphere with little streets
and little shops - the supermarket will cause real problems with
traffic - has someone really thought through the impact. Parking is
in short supply at the best of times.

We still have old fashion green grocers and other shops this will most
likly go if a supermarket arrives - these shops offer a service that
can not be obtained in a supermarket.

regards
M R
Alice Avenue
Newtown

Ms. Moore,

I am e-mailing you in relation to the proposed development on the corner of Gowrie Street and Erskineville Road. I'm sure I'm not the first and I'm certain I won't be the last.

First of all I would like to commend you on much you have done so far for the city of Sydney. Your recent efforts to establish small liquor licenses is a wonderful idea and would certainly add some much needed alternatives to the boorish drinking establishments that litter this city.

With that said, you must surely realise how a development such as the one proposed is horrific to the residents of the area. I purchased a property here in Erskineville over two years ago exactly because of the type of atmosphere it has at present, i.e. a quiet village style presence which is still close to a bustling city. Having moved here from Surry Hills I know exactly what a two storey shopping centre would do to the ambiance of Erskinville; I'd say with some certainty that you do yourself.

Traffic is already ludicrous in this area; due to the one way system (which is completely necessary) and the narrow but charming streets. To have a continuous stream of not only non residential cars but also large supply trucks in here would absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, ruin the place!

Currently the upgrade to the Railway bridge gives us a taste of what this would be like, and that in itself is awful. I have broken beer bottles and hoons up and down the street after these episodes. I would be left with no choice but to sell up and move out if this development were to go ahead.

I implore you, along with all other residents of the area, NOT to allow this tragedy to take place.

Yours Sincerely,

K A

Dear Ms Moore,

My husband & I have recently moved back to the Erskineville area. Why? because of the exact tag line that you use to promote the City of Sydney - because it is indeed a village. It has a community spirit that is second to none within the inner city & I believe that the proposal for a new supermarket to be located on Erskineville Road is completely unnecessary.

Not only do we have a Franklins located a short walk away on King St, but we also have the Marrickville Metro only 5 minutes drive away. And I, like I'm sure most of the residents in Erskineville, don't mind purchasing the odd item from the local mixed business if only to keep them in business.

Please don't allow a decision as important as this one make an impact so great that it could change an entire community's spirit.

Kind Regards

S A
Bridge St
Erskineville

Dear Mayor,

I think the proposed supermarket development on the corner of
Erskineville Road and Union Street would have major negative impacts
on the neighbourhood and the village, and it would make the already
congested traffic even worse. A two-storey supermarket in a
residential area with narrow streets with no parking to speak of
would be a disaster. Please reject the application.
regards,
M F
Belmont Street
Alexandria

Clover

This is yet another example of overdevelopment in Erskineville/Newtown.
We are still adapting to the imposition of the Macdonaldtown Stabling Yard which has opened to awakening us at midnight through staff entering and leaving the site. (this has been raised with Railcorp).
From the plans on the DA site and the overview provided by our neighbours I can see no way of residents around the Hub site not being similarly inconvenienced. The site is NOT well suited to a supermarket development. The proposed entry and exit paths cannot possibly handle the traffic without removing the parking currently used by residents. We currently are well served by the existing supermarkets in the area – there is an IGA on King Street not 2 blocks from where this development is proposed and one in the building on King st at the end of Newman st which I understand will be upgraded.

In addition we have Marrickville, Broadway and a host of others not too far away.

We are already well-serviced by liquor outlets on Erskineville road – two bottle shops in the local shopping strip and the various pubs. There is no need for the inevitable Liquorland or the like that will come with the development.

This is yet another example of the City Council negotiating with developers and not consulting with those residents who are directly impacted – I bring to front and centre the Stabling yard and Noise wall development which is loathed by all – we don’t need another industrial development as a Blot on our landscape

One of the key attractions for Erskineville is our delightful shopping village – we would like more small shops and restaurants encouraged along the strip. A large supermarket will detract trade from the existing shops which we have all come to know and love and discourage others from opening.

Erskineville is a fabulous example of what an inner city urban Village can become – don’t let this development destroy our village

Yours sincerely

G M
Burren St
Erskineville

Dear Clover,
I have lived in Erskineville for 17 years & enjoy the village atmosphere & laid back attitude of most residents. I also own a terrace within 150 metres of the proposed development (ie 32 Union Street, Erskineville).

First & foremost I can’t see a need for another supermarket. The area is already well serviced by supermarkets. I can walk up to either Franklins on King Street or Foodworks at Newman Street. That is what I should do. I’m ashamed to admit that I usually drive to Marrickville Metro (where there is ample parking). Alternatively there is the longer excursion to Broadway shopping centre.

I am a keen cycle tourer who hasn’t quite integrated cycle commuting into every day life. [I gotta get an el chepo bike that I don’t mind being stolen whilst I shop]. Consequently, I think that the council should be discouraging developments that offer car parking. This just encourages the use of vehicles & we all have to face up to the fact that car usage isn’t viable with intercity densities growing & climate change concerns. The proposed DA would seem to contradict the City of Sydney’s commitment to decreasing reliance on cars & encouraging the use of bicycles, walking & public transport.

Erskineville Road is already bumper to bumper traffic jamb each day from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Cars bleaching CO2 into our neighbourhood as it takes 30 minutes to travel the 1km from Mitchell Road to Wilson Street.

I think that traffic flows in & around the area bound by Union Street, Newman Street & Angel Street will be increased phenomenally. I adore the quiet back streets in amongst the terrace homes. Erskineville was originally extremely working class. The blocks of land are small here. A four metre wide terrace is big in this area. Everything is on a more compact scale here. There are NO grand Victorian terraces in Erskineville. They are all smallish. People often walk on the street rather than the footpaths because (the roads are quiet) & the footpaths are narrow. The tree planting policy is great but it can make using the footpaths hard work dodging around discarded furniture, garbage bins, trees, etc. But we have this wonderful, casual culture of strolling down the middle of the street & getting up on the pavement when you hear cars approaching. The traffic routing/street closures on Erskineville back streets have helped to ensure that only local traffic brave the rabbit warren. Everyone else gets lost in here. This has helped to keep the streets quiet since the late 1970s.

Erskineville is a little handkerchief patch of terrace homes huddled side by side along narrow streets. The south eastern corner is experiencing big changes in character with the huge apartment sites being built down in Eve Street & Coulson Street. This is bringing big increases in traffic flows down here & overshadowing of pre-existing terrace homes. Many more apartment complexes are under construction in this precinct. I have been disappointed that these sites have not been developed as town houses/terrace type villages. Instead the feel of Erskineville is being undermined by towering, ugly apartment blocks.

One of the best features of Erko Road is that it is quiet & laid back. People go there if they don’t want the ‘full on vibe’ of King Street. I think that the proposed development will erode the village-y atmosphere that we now have in the existing shopping centre at Erskineville.

I would like to request that the Council only consider the DA approval after an INDEPENDENT SOCIAL IMPACT and TRAFFIC STUDY has been completed including traffic, parking, noise, impact upon community and other potential ramifications. In particular is such a development in its current form consistent with the character of the Village? Can any actions that can be taken to improve the result for developer, residents and visitors alike?

Thanks very much for your attention to this matter.

S G

Dear Clover

Is City of Villages just a slogan, or is it a vision of what Sydney could be if we planned new buildings appropriately?

It is time for the City of Sydney to take seriously the idea that Sydney could be a city of villages. A village atmosphere. People walking to shops. Friendly conversation. Local people doing local shopping. Hey, we have this already in Erskineville! Let's keep it.

This site in Erskineville is not appropriate for yet another supermarket.

Keep our village at Erskineville - their aren't many left.

Regards
P B
Kingsclear Road
Alexandria

Dear Clover Moore

We are a young family living in Erskineville and have done so for the past 14 years. We are concerned and frankly appalled at this proposal for a supermarket in our village. With an IGA in King Street, and another supermarket at the top of Newman Street, Coles and Woolworths within an easy 5 minute drive, a supermarket is definitely not needed. In addition and most importantly, a supermarket would change the feel of the village, which is a major asset to our community. We have several local small business which are well supported within our village and the addition of a large supermarket would have an impact on the small businesses that operate within our village.

For the residents around the proposed site, the high traffic plus parking issues would generate a huge problem, I know parking is to be provided but of course this will never be sufficient and will lead to increased parking on the streets around the site.

The majority of residents we have spoken to in our area are strongly opposed to this development and we really hope you listen to the residents in this instance.

We believe you have done a wonderful job as major of City of Sydney and have seen many improvements during your time and we do hope that you support the residents of Erskineville in opposition to this development.

Regards

N & M

To Whom It May Concern:

I like the village of Erskineville for its local charm, friendly people and village like atmosphere.

I believe that the New Woolworths that is planned will completely destroy the village feel of Erskineville. Not only that but it will put a lot of strain on the small businesses in the area by price cutting them and putting them out of business.

Erskineville is not suitable for a large supermarket as it has enough traffic and lack of parking already, how can it handle more traffic flow due to the supermarket.

The facilities are already suitable enough for Erskineville and if people want to go to a large supermarket they can go to Franklins in Newtown or Woolworths in Marrickville. We have been doing this at the moment and it is very convenient so there is no need for another supermarket in the area.

Please keep Erskineville quaint and small, people enjoy coming to our area because it has a village feel. If we start adding large supermarkets the whole suburb will change. Why do we need it?? Is it really necessary to ruin one of the nicest suburbs in Sydney by putting in a large supermarket and commercialising it?? Soon it will be like every other suburb with all the normal shops along it and no independents. Is this what we want for Erskineville?

I like to be able to go separately to the butcher, the grocer and the local store, it provides me with a locality and friendliness.

Thank you for your time and I would really would hope that you can fully look into this before you approve its construction.

Regards

J H

]]> 07. Your Letters http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=23 Tue, 4 Dec 2007 09:08:42 +0900 http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=21 21 May 2008

Central Sydney News Magazine journalist Robert Burton – Bradley, in his recent article ‘ Locals Say No to Woolworths’ managed ( what we have been trying to achieve since September 2007 ) to obtain confirmation from Woolworths that they plan to be the operator of the two storey supermarket

Did you read this story ?

" Woolies admits trying to stop rivals setting up shop
Simon Evans
The Australian Financial Review | 20 May 2008 | Page: 5 | News

Supermarket giant Woolworths has admitted it sometimes uses town planning laws to try to derail competitive threats from rivals wanting to set up in a particular area but chief executive Michael Luscombe argued competitors were doing likewise. Mr Luscombe fronted the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry into grocery prices yesterday and also defended the impressive 75 per cent return on funds generated by Woolworths' Australian supermarket business in 2006-07, which had risen from 53 per cent in the past five years. This compared with Woolworths' New Zealand supermarkets that returned less than 10 per cent. Mr Luscombe told the inquiry competition was "about the same" in the Australian and NZ market, but admitted profit margins were higher in Australia. He attributed it to the NZ operations being in a rebuilding phase after Woolworths spent $2.5 billion in late 2005 buying Progressive Enterprises. Its main competitor in NZ is the Foodstuffs business. "We're doing the catching up in New Zealand," he said.

In Australia, Woolworths and Coles are the dominant players in the supermarket sector. Mr Luscombe said the return on funds and profit margins from the Australian supermarket business were very strong. "They're as good as any in the world," he said. Under questioning from ACCC lawyer Damien O'Donovan, Mr Luscombe admitted taking advantage of town planning laws on occasions to make it harder for competitors to set up. But he said rivals did exactly the same thing and Woolworths was a public company trying to generate returns for its shareholders.

"It's actually about protecting and putting opportunities for our growth in place," he said. Mr Luscombe revealed Woolworths was moving towards a "national pricing" policy. About 6000 of its 15,000 product lines had uniform prices except for 13 stores in remote locations such as Derby in far north Western Australia. But local managers at Woolworths stores had the power to respond to prices in rival outlets on what was referred to as "known value items" -essentially common items frequently purchased by shoppers. The local managers had the power to cut prices to meet the market but weren't allowed to put prices up independently to match the competition. "That's an end of career choice," he said.

ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel, who is yet to take evidence from Coles executives, questioned whether the price matching, also practised by Metcash-backed IGA stores, was potentially "tacit co-ordination" of prices. "They're both matching, but neither of them is going any lower," he said. "Tell me, where's the competition?" Mr Luscombe rejected suggestions Woolworths and Coles had a combined 80 per cent of the supermarket sector, saying that in the total food category Woolworths had 30.77 per cent of the market, which also counted local butchers, bakers and greengrocers as competitors.

Also yesterday, former ACCC chairman Allan Fels said in a report that outdated state government planning laws were stopping competition in the grocery sector with major retail landlords being protected. "

The Hive Building 21-23 Erskineville Road, Newtown
(Cnr of Erskineville Road and Gowrie Street, Newtown.)





Summary of Impact of Woolworths two storey Supermarket Development

Serious commercial and social impact on the shops at Erskineville Village.

Increased noise levels due to 7 day operation of Woolworths (almost 24 hours per day ).

Serious traffic noise from the design and hours of operation (0700-2200) of loading dock and car exit point into Angel Lane.

Increased through traffic on narrow local streets and lane ways.

Increased traffic on Erskineville Road

Impact on resident parking, Woolworths Supermarket has only 31 car spaces some of which will be allocated to Woolworths
staff (expect at least 10 staff ).

Negative Impact on Property Values and quality of life.

Inconsistent with Council's vision ( mixed use low scale development ) for this part of Erskineville Road.

Relocation of BWS liquor Store





]]> 02. Supermarket Development http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=21 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:38:57 +0900 http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=20 • 18 commercial suites
• 2 shops
• Cafe
• 2 show rooms
• Parking for 27 cars. Entry and Exit were to be from Gowrie Street.
No loading zone was to be allowed.

The original plan was modified after strong opposition from local residents to the building height of the original plan and other design issues of the plan.

null

The site has recently been sold without the approved 2005 plan proceeding.

Overview of Woolworths Development

The Site Today





The new owner and developer of The Hive is planning to build (and own) a two level supermarket.

The supermarket will be on two levels (downstairs fresh food, upstairs other) and is planned to be leased to Woolworths who plan to operate a 2,200 square metre supermarket, half the size of the Woolworths supermarket at Marrickville Metro, larger than the Woolworths developed supermarkets in Macleay Street (ikon Apartment Building), Potts Point and Bourke Street, Surry Hills.

BWS Liquor Outlet at Ground Level.

Provide parking for only 27 cars (max limit by council), some of these spaces will be allocated to Woolworths Management managing the supermarket.



Expect at least 20-30 vans per day over 5 metres in length (this may be on the low side)



Expect 6 large trucks per day

Expect 2- 3 garbage trucks per day

Trading hours will be 7am – 10pm 7 days a week, with trucks arriving any time of day and night. In other locations Woolworths vendors delivering perishables such as milk, bread etc regularly violate the council agreed times of operation stipulated in the development application.When the small loading dock is full, trucks waiting to unload will be forced to wait,double parked in Gowrie Street.

All trucks and cars will enter the building from Gowrie Street. The trucks will enter a double size entry to the loading dock, moving through the dock into Angel Lane and then reversing into the loading dock. Imagine the insessant noise of all those trucks reversing. Cars will enter the existing entry (as above), a truck entry will be created to the right of the car entry. Street parking will be lost



All vehicles to exit the building into Angel Lane at the rear or near residences.

The cars and trucks then travel along Angel Lane past the terraces into Angel Street



Turning right into Angel Street, the cars and trucks then travel to the intersection of Angel Street and Erskineville Road.Expect cars and trucks to bank up in this area as Erskineville Road is already often bottle necked at this narrow point.





The cars and trucks will be turning left or right into Erskineville Road. The developers claim this plan is the preferred option of City of Sydney Senior Traffic Consultants. There are no plans to install traffic lights at Angel Street / Erskineville Road.



Angel Street exit onto Erskineville Road is to be narrowed with the construction of the new railway bridge due for completion in mid 2008


]]> 02. Supermarket Development http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=20 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:43:42 +0900 http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=19


There has been no comprehensive consultation with these directly affected residents / owners.



No detailed plan has been tendered to ensure the traffic and reversing noise of trucks does not disturb the nearby residences.



There has been no comprehensive consultation with these directly affected residents / owners.



There has not been a Social Impact Study undertaken.



There has been no Retail Study undertaken. How will the Woolworths supermarket impact on our village commercial life ?





There has been no Traffic Impact Study discussed with the local community.Can Erskineville Road take any more traffic at the peak shopping time of an inner city supermarket (early evenings, Saturday) ?







What will be the impact of Woolworths supermarket shoppers trying to find street parking in our residential streets, due to the very limited parking in the proposed development.

The developer plans to ask City of Sydney Council for operations to be changed to retail.

A Woolworths Development Control Plan (DCP) will have to be prepared to try and minimise impact on the our locality bounded by Union/ Gowrie / Harold / Angel / Whitehorse/ Norfolk / Railway Lane / Erskineville Lane / Angel Lane of shoppers travelling along these one-way streets trying to locate a parking space. Due to the long established design of the traffic flows in these streets the supermarket will dramatically increase the number of non residential cars using these one way streets at all times of the day and night.The DCP will mean that changes will need to be made to the traffic direction in part or all of these streets. Severe parking restrictions (max 15 minute parking) may be necessary so residents could reclaim street parking.



Can the narrow streets including Angel Street, Gowrie Street, Newman Street and Railway Lane handle the increased traffic that will access Woolworths.
]]> 02. Supermarket Development http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=19 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:41:05 +0900 http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=18
No qualitative research has been released on this development.

No Social Impact Assessment has been undertaken
No details of the Woolworths retail evaluation study have been released that identify the expected consumer shopping benchmarks
that demonstrate how the target market will shop at this Woolworths location.

1. How many check outs will the Woolworths supermarket have?
2. What is the projected number of shoppers per hour? How long will they stay ?
3. What are the peak shopping times?
4. What is the geographic area that the Woolworths supermarket expects to draw shoppers from?
5. How will these shoppers travel to the Woolworths supermarket?
6. How many will drive? How many will walk?

At a City of Sydney community meeting on Wednesday 26 September 2007 the Senior Planner advised local residents:

'it is a well known unwritten law amongst planners the most people drive to do their food shopping‘

Do we need another Supermarket?

Our area is well served by supermarkets:

Franklins King St, Newtown ( 700 square meters )
Foodworks King St and Newman Street, Newtown ,will double in size in the next few months to over 1500 square meters with the planned
$500,000 upgrade.
Woolworths Marrickville Metro ( 4,500 square meters )
Broadway Shopping Centre including Harris Farm and Coles (4,500 square meters )

Additional supermarkets are planned to be built in the next 12-18 months ( coming on line at the same time as the proposed Woolworths supermarket in Erskineville ) in the Green Square Area as follows:

Green Park Town Centre ( 4,000 square meters )
Victoria Park ( 4,000 square meters )
Meriton ACI ( 2,600 square meters )
Wyndam Street ( 4,000 square meters )

There is also one large supermarket zoned for Ashmore Estate ( corner Mitchell Road and Coulson Street).]]> 02. Supermarket Development http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=18 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:22:39 +0900 http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=16 Tuesday, 13 January 2009

We have won !!! Thank you to our wonderful, connected, careing community.

Please continue to support our local businesses in the Erskineville Village and King Street.
]]> 04. The Next Steps http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=16 Mon, 1 Oct 2007 07:42:59 +1000 http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=13 Tuesday, 13 January 2009

We have won the final stage; no two story supermarket will be built on The Hive site, Erskineville Road, Newtown / Erskineville.

Judgment was delivered in Artro Management Pty Ltd v Council of the City of Sydney at 9.30AM on 13 January 2009. Council was successful in persuading the Court that the development application did not comply with its instruments and would lead to unacceptable amenity impacts on the Erskineville Village area. The Development Application was refused and the appeal dismissed. For a copy of the judgment and the Court's reasons for refusing the development application, please ‘click’ on the button ‘Court Decision ‘to the right on this website.

village friends, the Friends of Erskineville Village wish to sincerely thank all our thousands of supporters in our community who have remained diligent, focused and committed since we began our campaign in August 2007 to stop this over development.

Erskineville is the Winner

Here are some moments from our celebration at The Rose of Australia Hotel, on Friday 23 January. We appreciated Councilor John McInerney joining our celebration.







We face many challenges in our area to protect our village way of life. The future of the Tram Sheds, PYC Site, The Hive site, Service Station ( when it is sold ), The Imperial Hotel, the continued rejuvenation of Erskineville Village, management of the increasingly invasive through traffic on Erskineville Road, they will all impact on our way of life, and these issues need to be empathetically managed.

These are some examples our communities reaction to the decision to reject the Woolworths / Harold Finger Development Application to build a Two Story Supermarket on The Hive site.

Dear Friends of Ersko!!, Yeah!!! well done - a wonderful result and we couldnt be happier!!,i'll try and make the drinks on friday!

Many thanks for the update. I spend a great deal of my time overseas (currently in China) so have not been able to physically support the group/action as I would like. I am 100% excited about the outcome and want to thank everyone who has so diligently worked to achieve this. Thanks again, and I can continue to look forward to my home time in Erskineville WITHOUT the supermarket

First I would like to offer my congratulations for your victory and your dedication in achieving it! I have never been a huge fan of the Land and Environment Court having dealt with them in the past, to witness their denial (for once) of a developer’s aspirations is due to your own hard work and dare I say an economic crisis. Perhaps the most shocking aspect of the judgement was the inclusion on the developer’s side of a Professor who should know better (both intellectually and professionally). How shocking those academic standards have sunk so low! I do though, convey a word of warning, the courts decision has left the option of a smaller (1000 sqm) supermarket combined with a mixed retail open. Unless we want to end up with Aldi and a replica of Marrickville Metro on our doorstep we must remain vigilant! However I welcome the opportunity of thanking you all next Friday!

Well done to all, great news. Really impressed to see logic prevailed. Unreal outcome.....

brilliant!

HOORAY !!!!!!!!!!!! Finally, the L&E Court delivers a victory for common sense and the local community. I must admit I was skeptical about a win, but this is the absolute best news and a fantastic start to 2009.

Thanks and good onyer to all those who were at the forefront of this battle.

Thanks and thank you for your efforts in general.

Congratulations to all you hard working organizers! Job well done.

That’s great news, guys. Thank you for the good work you have put in.

Yippy ! well done

Hallelulia! (think I've spelled this incorrectly but who cares...) That's the best news I've heard in a long time, and a wonderful beginning to the New Year!

Congratulations to all who worked so hard - delighted it paid off and that Erko will retain its very special village atmosphere!

well done,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, hooray

Well done … that is a really great outcome and restores faith that the community can have a say. I am very impressed by the level of work and commitment that everyone has put into this project, and I wish to say THANKS VERY MUCH.

Just wanted to say a very big well done to all of you guys that have campaigned so tirelessly for this fantastic outcome, you should all be very very proud of yourselves

Your hard work in this is awesome cause has been a resounding success and I know that there are so many many people who are truly appreciative of your passion to get this over the line and with a favorable result. Unfortunately I won't be able to make your celebratory drinks (kids!) but if you are thinking of having a similar daytime celebration we’d love to give you a well deserved pat on the back!

Nice job guys, awesome

Congratulations for all your fantastic work! Best wishes

CONGRATULATIONS - what a victory over mindless corporate stuff. Wiil try to share a drink with you on the 23rd.

Great news. Thanks for all your hard work

Congratulations on all your hard work, in rallying us and keeping us in the loop PS I hear Woolies is building a small store next to Dan Murphy in Fountain Street, Alexandria - but that is a much better location

THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS! THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND HARD WORK, Regina Heilmann, Artistic Director, PACT Theatre, Erskineville

YIPPEE – Pat yourselves on the back Friends of Erskineville.

How great. Good on you for all your hard work. Well done.

Congratulations!!

Thank you for all your persistence, hard work and dedication to the cause. Now you can all go and have lives again J

Congratulations! Janet Clayton, President, Newtown Precinct Business Association

YIPPEE – Pat yourselves on the back Friends of Erskineville.

Yeah, thank you so much for your dedicated efforts in maintaining Erko! And congratulations - it's is possible to win these things, but they do take enormous effort, and persistence. Again well done.

CONGRATULATIONS! You people have done an amazing job. As an property owner in that area - THANK YOU.

Fantastic news! Well done to the Friends of Erskineville Village. A brilliant and very well deserved result!

Thanks guys that’s fantastic news!!!!! Congratulations!!!

I'm jumping out of my skin going crazy here at work what a win for the community! What a way to celebrate 2009, thanks for all your hard work and focus team. RESPECT!

WELL DONE on this HUGE win!!

Galvanizing the community and being so dedicated was amazing - it means so much to the ' community' as a place to live.

Thank you for such a well organized action

Excellent news!!! You have been incredible in what you have been able to do to bring together and co-ordinate all us lazier folk. Well done!

A huge thank you from our family at 00 Gowrie Street, Newtown. We have all been out of Australia for a while and will not be back until Feb. 2009 so unfortunately we will not be there for the drinks. This has been a great example of community action and we really appreciate the time and commitment that many of you have put in to preserving our local environment, Best wishes and good luck to all for 2009,

Well done all.

This is what I wanted, and fought for.

It is especially sweet since a Councilor recently expressed the view to me that I shouldn't feel confident because he felt that Council would lose this one. Also, the 99% in favor of the developer article in the Glebe didn't exactly inspire any cause for excitement.

Sadly, this could also cause our friend Samuel Woolworths to fall out of his tree. May be we should be magnanimous in victory and invite him to the Rose to commiserate?? As they often say...unlucky 13 for some, but then all's fair in love and war. Happy Sydney Festival.

Thank you for all your efforts...our bit was easy..you guys made it happen. Thank you very much from a Gowrie street resident.

Excellent!

I no longer live in Erskineville (I used to live in 12 Albert St) but have followed this with great interest as like many others I believe that the
development would not have been a plus, but would have been detrimental to the village of Erskineville.Hats off to the Friends of Erskineville Village for mobilising the community and keeping them fed with the info they needed to keep at the developers every step of the way

That's fantastic news!

congratulations. this is wonderful. thank you so much for all your hard work and courage!

BRAVO!

Congratulations !! Thank you very much for all of your work

Congratulations. A realistic decision. Now can you guys give the Imperial Hotel a chance to prove itself in our community? I was there before all of us.

Congratulations!!!! without your persistence in this course we so would not have come to this conclusion. You’re amazing!!! Big pats on back and see you in the rose!

Congratulations guys - thanks for all your hard work on our behalves!

Congrats, well done. And thank you.

“Congratulations! This is fantastic. Thanks for doing a wonderful thing “

“Such a great campaign, thanks for putting in so much work and long hours, guys.”

“Congratulations on getting all of us to this important victory “

“Sounds good. You have worked hard for your community and the celebration is well deserved.”

“I am writing to congratulate all of you on your hard won victory against Woolworths. During the past months I visited your web site often and have had quite a number of telephone conversations with Councilor Marcel Hoff. (I am not one who joins committees or groups but I do admire others who do so.) I am aware of just how much work went into your campaign; Councilor Hoff spoke highly of how organized and committed you all are. I also know that Councilor Hoff was strongly committed to supporting your community and the Friends of Erskineville. All of you deserve congratulations.”

“And thank you for all of your amazing dedication, energy and effort. We hope the Imperial Hotel can also be brought round to respect the rights of residents to live in a peaceful, pleasant environment without 24-hour noise and traffic.”

“Congratulations to all the organizers. It takes a lot of commitment and energy and sacrifice to continue such a campaign. It is a brilliant and very justified victory.”

“Good news! It is heartening to have another win on the development front in the face of commercial pressure.”

“Fantastic! Congratulations, and here's to winning any further fights that may lie ahead. “

“Excellent work to all involved. “

“Congratulations..!!!People power doesn't start without some great people to head the movement. I'm proud to be living in such a great neighborhood.”

“Well done”

“It restores ones faith in Local Government when logic and reason prevails”

“Many thanks”

“Absolutely wonderful. Thank you for all your hard work!!! What a perfect outcome!!”

“Congratulations!!!! Your hard work has benefited the whole community. It proves that we live in a great community where people actually care.”

“Just wanted to say what a great outcome for all us locals!! Maybe you can get them to hurry up on that bridge over Erskineville Rd now! “

“Thanks to you all for organising all this. I was on a similar action group in the late 70's and early 80's when we had the road closures etc.. good to see the energy around the place!”

“Congratulations on the great result. Many thanks for your hard work and coordinated effort to protect Erskineville village, it is much appreciated.”

“Well done, Friends of Erskineville Village”

”I was really impressed with your applications to the council, and it was very interesting to read how they came to their decision.”

”I'd like to say a big thank you, for your hard work and determination, and another big thanks to the people of Erskineville and surrounding suburbs, for their support and contributions, and for letting our council know they care about what happens in our local area. (Whether it was for support or opposition of the proposal, people cared, and the council had to take notice.) “

“Thank you so much - hopefully that is the end .....”

“Your effort and work is greatly appreciated by this resident in Rochford Street.”

“best wishes”

“Congratulations and thank you for all the hard work you and the team did to get this application refused. It’s a fantastic result.”

“What a great piece of news. Well done to those who worked so hard – it is so rewarding for us all.”

“Congratulations you have worked so hard for Erskineville and we can’t not thank you enough. We live right next door to the BP and Imperial and it already is such a huge impact on our daily lives, so thank you for looking after our community rights”

“Congratulations to the key players! What a great victory. It makes me proud to call Erskineville my village.”

“ Congratulations and well done. I’m very pleased such an inappropriate development has been refused by council officers.”

”Don't close the book yet though. The proponent can appeal the decision. Let’s keep our antennae up in case this happens and we have to fight again.”

”Thanx for all your efforts.”

“Well done, that’s fantastic.”

“Congratulations team, what a win this is!”

“Thanks a million for kicking in the hard yards for the community!”

“Respect!”

“Best news I have heard in a very long time! Congratulations for all the hard work you guys put into organizing ways a we could support you!”

“Thank you all so much for all the hard work which resulted in this success.”

”Thank you for all the hard work and for your achievement on behalf of Erko residents, now and in the future!”

”Well done and congratulations!!!!”

Congratulations, and thank you, for leading a well-orchestrated campaign. “

“Congratulations and thank you to Friends of Erskineville Village. The coordinators provided exceptional leadership in this campaign. Thank you again”

“Great work everybody! This is a huge relief.”

“An excellent result, thank you so much for your efforts!!!!!!! What a great community we live in. “

“Thanks, congratulation. That is a good relief. It is so thankful. It is bad enough with all the commercial development these days. It would be a worse scenario to have a two storey Woolworth store. Just imagine the traffic congestion and rage of people. The next step is for the old Tramshed @ Newtown. I like to see this preserve and restored for a good use to the environment. Please keep me updated with this.”

“Fantastic result!”

“Well done to the Friends of Erskineville for all your hard work.”

“WOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!”

“Well done- that is fantastic news! Thank you so much for your efforts- I really didn’t think that practicality would prevail over corporate pennies! How totally refreshing.”

“Well done!! Thank you for all the efforts. “

“Congratulations, very happy about the outcome. Will support any challenges as they occur. “

“Congratulations on a well fought battle.”

“Well done! For all your hard work!”"

Well done to all involved. A fantastic result."

“ A huge congratulations. As a new resident in the area we are so delighted that Erskineville will stay the same. It's village feel and wonderful sense of community is why we bought here in the first place. Look forward to other Friend events. “

“Thanks for the hard work, that is great news. As you say, there are more battles ahead, in particular the Imperial Hotel expansion which is currently with council. There is a community meeting organised this Sunday (25th May 4pm at Joseph Sargent Centre) and it would be wonderful if Friends of Erskineville village could get behind this cause too.”

“Congratulations to the organisers. “

“Wow Congratulations! The power of the people! Brings back some faith in the system,”

”Cheers for your efforts,”

” CONGRATULATIONS!! I am thrilled! You deserve a medal for such an intelligent, thorough, energetic campaign. Thank you so much for your hard work.”

“Congratulations guys!!! A fantastic victory for residents. It was great to help out in our small way!!”

” Well done guys - a brilliant effort. Thanks for you commitment to the cause - it is of course much appreciated by all Erko residents.”

” Well done. Great news And I commend you on your energy”

"Great job, you guys! Thanks for making it happen."

“That's very good news. Well done all around.”

“Yeah”

“Great news!!!! Thanks for all the hard work.”

“ FANTASTIC!!!! GREAT GOING... KEEP THAT CHARMING VILLAGE AS IT IS."

"Congratulations, it was a well run campaign.”

"As a business owner would like to thank you all, for your hard work regarding this matter and welcome the council decision. Hope to be of any assistance in the future. “

“Oh my God! That is such excellent news.”

” I am so proud that we could make a difference. This is such a great result for our community.”

“Thank you so much for all your efforts in this campaign.”

"Wooooohooooo thanks so much for fighting for us all!!! power to the village people :-)”

“Congratulations are in Order,”

“You Guys deserve all the accolades, for persevering against gargantuan odds.”

”Congratulations you beauties and beasts of burden. Many thanks from us in “rural and regional “ Australia. “

“Excellent news! I am sure I express the views of a lot of local residents in thanking your organisation for fighting to preserve our neighbourhood.”
“We share your desire for empathy.”

“Thank you to making this a achievement that was so worth while, Kelly and the flower shop gang.xxxxxxxxxxxxx “

“That's absolutely wonderful news. Thanks so much for all your efforts.”

“Congratulations to all you hard working residents. A victory for Erskineville to remain a village and a decent future for the lovely small businesses in the
village i.e. deli, Floral Decorator, cafes etc. I'm grateful that Woolies has lost."

“ Wow, congratulations -fantastic news - well done!!! Let's hope they don't appeal to the LEC - or donate to Sartor. Any thoughts about who might be helpful in terms of combating traffic use of our street, Charles Street, would be most welcome. We're trying to reduce the amount of cars using that return along Wilson Street - we're lobbying council at the moment - and have a meeting with Tony Pooley about it - but if you can discretely point out who was most welcoming regarding community action in Erko we'd be grateful. We're tired of being the racetrack and getting abused by people treating our street like a main road,”

“It is very exciting and encouraging to see that someone is listening.” “We have our own battle in Charles Street … trying to get resident parking permits (we used to have them but the signs disappeared overnight). People park their cars and take the trains, plus we are the only street without restricted parking! People are using Charles Street as a short cut and I have been living on Charles Street for 13 years and it is getting worse.
No one stops at the STOP sign (Charles and Albert) … extremely dangerous for pedestrians. We gave the City of Sydney some solutions in order to improve the traffic flow …we will continue the battle.”

“No, thank you for keeping the campaign effort direct and focused. “

“My sincere gratitude.”

“Congratulations to all involved, A great victory.”

“Will you please pass on to all the people who have done so much work congratulations and thanks”

“Congratulations and thank you for all your hard work!”

“That is so very cool ..... if only 'people power' could get rid of Frank Sartor and his other corrupt mates.”

”Well done. You must be immensely proud - and so very deservingly so.”

“Thank you and well done!”

“Well done for the effort.”

“Fantastic news! Well done, good work!”

“Thank you for all your hard work, on behalf of us.”

“Excellent news, congratulations to the whole team and the suburbs residents for their efforts in stopping this development.”

“Great news! That is really wonderful Thanks very much for all your hard work in coordinating this on behalf of all local residents. We really appreciate all your hard work, and wonderful to see it has paid off! “

“Fantastic news!”

Our community has spoken out, these are the statistics, at Monday, 30 June 2008

200 Plus Attended Community Meeting
1,136 Website Unique Hits
202,530. Website Total Hits
4,373 Village Petition Signatures
633 Online Petition Signatures
1,88o Database of residents
1,567 SMS Database
292 Individual letters written to Council
79 Individual letters written to Woolworths


Why are we concerned?
The supermarket will result in:
- increased traffic, trucks and parking problems - reduced safety for cyclists and pedestrians - increased noise, air and visual pollution - loss of local businesses - loss of unique village atmosphere.
All Erskineville will be affected, including your street. Is this the village you want?

We thought that resident Christen Cornell’s contribution neatly sums up our view.

“I always thought some smart council spark had made Erskineville difficult to drive around in order to protect its village feel. One way streets, road blocks - aren’t they all there to make Erko a haven for residents, kids and pedestrians? The strategy has WORKED, so why ruin the design now? People move here to avoid cars and shopping malls; I like walking to the shops and knowing the names of the people who own and run them, and I’m happy to pay slightly more to support small local business. Neighbourhoods like this are rare, and people are coming to appreciate them more and more. I don’t understand why you’d jeopardise all that, especially at a time when Sydney City Council is getting conscious about how to make our city more livable. This development would make the traffic down Erko Rd even worse (and it’s already a problem) and so would mean more cars in the backstreets. It just seems impossible to me. I’d like to know what an impact study would say”

Take care
Friends of Erskineville Village

You are invited to respond to any posts in this section. Please keep your posts civil, no bad language, no defamatory comments and no SPAM. If you don’t follow these simple guidelines we will remove your comments and ban you from access. We reserve the right to remove any posts we feel are inappropriate without any explanation.

- Editor.
9 December 2007.

Submissions on the two story supermarket development to City of Sydney close on Monday, 17 December 2007; you can access the Development Application (DA) via our website, Click on email to Clover to register your views.

Many thanks for your support, take care village friends

20 November 2007

The development application is now available online. You can access the documents via this website ( the button is to the left ) or via The City Of Sydney website. Hard copies can also be viewed at the Neighbourhood Centre in Erskineville.

15 November 2007

Letter to Lord Mayor, Clover Moore.

Ms Clover Moore,
Lord Mayor of Sydney,
City of Sydney,
GPO BOX 1591,
Sydney 2000.

Woolworths Development
21-23 Erskineville Road
Newtown
DA D/2007/1932

Dear Clover,

We corresponded on 17 September 2007, when I wrote to you regarding the lack of broad and comprehensive community consultation by the developer of the Woolworths supermarket. You responded on 3 October outlining the process and advising council was unable to instruct the developer to consult more widely with the community.

As a direct result of no broader community consultation and the lack of awareness of this proposed development in the Erskineville / Newtown community (local businesses, residents and home owners), we have had to take the lead to ensure our community is informed.

In a few short weeks we have:

1. Established a community group ‘ village friends’
2. Created a web site www.erskinevillevillage.org for the sole purpose of ensuring our community is well informed of this development and its impact on our resident community and the local businesses.
3. We have letter box dropped thousands of homes with the attached flyer.
4. Gained the support of all the shop keepers in our village including a petition in all these locations.

To date we have:

1. Over 1,000 signatures on the village petition,
2. 350 signatures on our online petition, (you may wish to review the comments on the online petition; they represent a very broad range of views in the community). The petition can be accessed via our website.
3. You will have now received 30 plus individual letters from residents ( before the DA goes on exhibition)
4. Our website in its short life has had over 700 plus unique hits.

We have partly achieved our aim of ensuring our community is fully aware of this development, they are now in a better position to form their own opinions on the development’s impact.

Residents are now receiving responses from your office to individual letters they have written. The response is standard and outlines a standard procedure that applies to all development applications.

It is very disappointing that Council, despite the obvious concerns in this community is potentially going to consider this development application in the same manner it would review a house extension, housing development and other ‘run of the mill’ developments.

It is not prudent or appropriate to review a development of this commercial magnitude and impact under delegated authority.

We are also advised that council will only be writing to residents / businesses within 25 to 75 meters of the development site. This will mean NO village businesses will be formally advised by Council along with the majority of affected residents.

You are well regarded and respected in the community for always responding quickly to residents. Your engagement with residents over the Lillian Fowler Reserve issue, as a result of Council’s planned removal of diseased trees did not go unnoticed and was appreciated in the wider local community.

We would therefore request:

1. Council formally advises in writing all businesses, residents and property owners within 2 kilometers radius of the development site notifying when the DA is on exhibition.
2. That the final report (after exhibition and community consultation) is only considered by Councils Planning and Transport Committee.
3. If the community consultation period partly falls during the festive season and the Christmas / New Year school holiday period
( when families take their holidays ), the exhibition period is extended to close two weeks after the start of the 2008 public school year.

We look forward to your response; e-mail is the quickest method of reaching us.


Yours sincerely,

village friends

Copy:
• Mr. Alan Jones- Radio 2GB
• All village businesses
• Residents registered on village friend’s database.

Posted 28 October 2007

The Sydney Morning Herald
27-28 October 2007
Commercial Property Section
Without Reserve Column

Hot search for supermarket sites

The battle for supermarket space may get even hotter if US group Costco decides to venture to Australia. Already the latest entrant, Germany’s Aldi is advertising for sites and Woolworths has said it is keen to expand. Some sites may become available, in the wash –out from the Westfarmers bid for Coles, but they will go at a premium.

village friends

You are invited to respond to any posts in this section. Please keep your posts civil, no bad language, no defamatory comments and no SPAM. If you don’t follow these simple guidelines we will remove your comments and ban you from access. We reserve the right to remove any posts we feel are inappropriate without any explanation.

- Editor.
]]> 03. Latest News http://erskinevillevillage.org/index.php?itemid=13 Tue, 25 Sep 2007 08:21:00 +1000