Latest News

Monday, 25 August 2008

The developer, Harold Finger and Woolworths have lodged an appeal in the Land & Environment Court.

The proceedings were listed for directions before the Registrar of the Land and Environment Court on 20 August 2008 . The appeal has now been fixed for hearing from 24 November to 27 November 2008. Orders were also made in relation to the preparation of expert evidence and joint conferencing. Further information relating to the conduct of the hearing and residents opportunity to address the Court with their concerns will be provided shortly.

We will keep the site updated. CHECK OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT UNDER BUTTON 4 " The Next Steps " TO THE RIGHT.


The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has rejected Woolworths' proposed acquisition of the Karabar Supermarket in Queanbeyan, New South Wales. The competition watchdog said the acquisition of the supermarket by Woolworths would likely substantially lessen competition in the local area surrounding the store. "The ACCC had strong evidence to suggest that in the absence of the acquisition by Woolworths, the supermarket would instead be acquired by an independent operator, Supabarn, which has intentions to expand the supermarket to operate as a full-line supermarket in strong competition with Woolworths and other supermarket operators," said ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel

"The ACCC found that Supabarn supermarkets offer a different proposition to existing operators in the local market and considered that this would lead to increased consumer choice, as well as competition between supermarket operators on a number of factors including price, range, service, and product quality and freshness."

Erskineville is the Winner

CLICK ON THE BUTTON TO THE RIGHT " REASONS FOR REFUSAL " FOR FULL DETAILS

City of Sydney Council, under delegated authority has rejected the two storey Woolworths supermarket Development Application on The Hive site, Erskineville Road, Erskineville / Newtown.

We wish to thank all those many thousands who have supported our campaign, it has been a long hard fight, but it is very gratifying that People Power and the true facts have prevailed.

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 traffic to the north of Erskineville Road, they will all impact on our way of life, and these issues need to be empathetically managed.

This is our communities reaction to City of Sydney Council’s decision on Monday 19 May 2008 to refuse the Woolworths Two Story Supermarket Development Application

“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.

» Read more

25 Sep, 2007 | Editor Firstly, well done and thank you to all involved in the production of this website and petition.

Secondly, it is just crazy that this type of development has even been thought of for a unique place such as Erko. Surely Mayor Moore and her councillors will not allow this development to rise up in our City of Villages.

Stephen - Resident of Morrissey Road.

Stephen - 12 Oct, 2007 - 14:07:07
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I am appalled! I've lived in Erskineville for over 20 years and we have fought many battles to save our lifestyle in Erskineville. Victorian houses (mostly lost), green space (won) and the housing commission homes (high rises were proposed on the site).

Will all readers please keep the protest/action going?

Great site, don't know who Stephen is (see above)!!

Jane - resident of Morrissey Road

Jane - 16 Oct, 2007 - 11:00:07
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I think this is one of the worst cases of NIMBISM I've ever seen. I love Erko. I'm a student and I've made my home here. I don't own a car and I live next to an old lady who doesn't own one either. It's a crime we don't have a good supermarket and have to go all the way to either Broadway or the Metro.

The shops in the village are different and will survive and prosper like many many shops elsewhere located close to supermarkets.

What about those of us who don't own cars? I think you should all be a little less self centred and worry about more important things.

Shane - resident of Devine Street

Shane McEvoy - 16 Oct, 2007 - 17:25:11
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My partner and I loved Erskineville when we came here from London 2 years ago, we bought in Albert street last year and the lifestyle and sense of community are 2nd to none, including the lovely village atmosphere and great neighbours. Whilst I would love never to have to go to Marrickville Metro again I believe we have to balance so called "convenience" with what will undoubtably cause misery and ruin the feel of the area.

I can't think of more important things than preserving a rapidly fading way of life, which is one of the reasons we moved here in the 1st place.

As a community wanting to preserve a village way of life can we not rally together to go shopping for those in need if required?

Mark & Jon - 20 Oct, 2007 - 09:33:01
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Thank you to the Friends of Erskineville for informing our comminuty of this proposed development. We were part of the fight for our community in relation to the train stabling facility at Macdonaldtown and we know from that experience just what a fabulous community spirit lives on in this area. We believe the negative impact on traffic, parking, noise and our valued local businesses will far outweigh the "benefits" of having a large scale supermarket within a 2 minute stroll of our doorstep (as apposed to a five minute walk up to Franklins on King St!!) so we wholeheartedly support your campaign. Thank you again, Penny of Copeland Ave (OK so we are Newtown but we LOVE living so close to Erskineville!!).

Penny - 31 Oct, 2007 - 19:51:09
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I love Erko the way it is and I too would like to thank the Friends of Erskineville for informing us of this proposed development. I have lived here for 11 years, never had a car or a problem with getting shopping. Marrickville Metro is only a twenty minutes walk or if I'm feeling lazy there is always the bus. Broadway is also easy to get to, either walk or catch the bus from Newtown. I know Bi Lo home delivers to Erskineville and I think Coles does too so its not really a problem. I would
much rather have Erskineville remain the way it is than have a supermarket on the doorstep. Athough I wouldn't class myself as an old lady yet merely middle aged, when I am , I intend to get myself one of those very tasteful wheeled shopping trolleys and totter up to Franklins in Newtown to get my groceries. If the unthinkable happens and the development goes ahead, I for one won't be shopping there.

Janet

Janet Campbell - 09 Nov, 2007 - 20:29:51
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Why not develop this site? It may be the new lease of life that sees the re-invigoration of Erskineville Road. This website only focuses on the negatives. How can this site claim to represent the views of "friends of Erskinville Village" when many of the true friends can see the possible benefits.

Paul H - 16 Nov, 2007 - 17:31:23
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Hi Paul H,

The purpose of this website and the aim of viilage friends is to bring to the attention of our community that the development is proposed. We can all then assess the impact and make an informed decsion on our position. Noticed you did not leave your e-mail address, could you be the developer or an employee of Woolworths ?

village friends - 17 Nov, 2007 - 07:11:00
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If its build I'll avoid it all together and go else where, I suggest others do as well.
I'll keep supporting the local vegi market and mini supermarket etc, that we already have. This is disgraceful, like the over development around Redfern Station that is planned.

In short think, before you vote for the party Frank Sartor is in, he is pure evil. We need more people like Clover dammmmit!.

A Cooper - 20 Nov, 2007 - 21:18:05
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Shane,

We already have a Foodworks and a Franklins within a pretty short walking distance - there is no need to drive unless you want to shop at a big chain supermarket. What's more, Foodworks is expanding, so you'll soon have even less need to visit a Woolies. If you really find the lack of a car an issue (and I'm not suggesting you should buy one - far from it!), check out GoGet.com.au for access to a car only when you need it.

Like all things, most concern here is about balance - it might be occasionally convenient for some people, but perhaps a better question is how could we achieve the same improvement in convenience without such a detrimental impact on the immediate environment and local businesses. Having seen comparable new W/C supermarkets spring up elsewhere, I can assure you there's every chance the convenience store down the road will go out of business, and probably the greengrocer too.

I gather you would like something more convenient - so what is it (specifically) you hope to gain in convenience that the existing stores don't already provide? Is there perhaps another way to get the same gains from a different development on that site?

Robin Darroch - 23 Nov, 2007 - 12:37:39
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Hi,
I feel a new development will be a good thing for the
area. It will provide jobs and cheaper priced goods for people like myself who are working class, non tertiary educated battlers and can't afford to shop at boutique Deli's and 711's .My family and I have live in Erskineville for a long time,when it was working class with heart and soul. Unlike the come-lately cashed-up yuppies, whom I suspect are running your organisation

Ted Perry - 27 Nov, 2007 - 07:40:44
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I agree that the site needs to be developed - it has become run down since the Mardi Gras people moved out, and together with the old PCYC has become an eyesore. But a big supermarket development is so out of character with our area. We have two supermarkets on King St, and two more within easy reach. Not only will Erskineville Road get extra traffic with shoppers, but delivery trucks will be accessing the site, and that is after the disruption caused by the building. I thought that the original "Hive" plan looked much more appropriate for our area, and would like to see a sympathetic developer come up with a new plan.

C Robertson - 02 Dec, 2007 - 12:51:42
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31 car spaces for a Woolworths!! They must surely be expecting people to shop every day so as to be able to carry the shopping home by foot. The delivery trucks would, undoubtedly, cause a lot of extra noise and pollution. If this goes ahead (which I hope it doesn't), there should be a time limit on the deliveries so they don't happen at night or extremely early in the morning like at Coles, Surry Hills.
Parking is already a nightmare in the area and this would not improve that situation.

K Darker - 10 Dec, 2007 - 17:58:29
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It's such a shame that the 2005 approved development proposal for the Hive site didn't go ahead. That would have been a boon for the village. A supermarket in that site, even though it would be damn convenient, just isn't feasible nor practical. I for one won't shop there. However, if instead Woolies/Coles decided to open up in industrial Alexandria/Erskineville I would definitely shop there.
To people like Shane who want the convenience of a supermarket there - how convenient will it really be (bearing in mind the proposal states there will be NO shopping trolleys)? Will the beep beep of trucks reversing at 06:00am on a Sunday morning be convenient for you? Or the increased amounts of rubbish in the area due to people just being grubs? Will it be convenient for you to pick up after them?

It's not just about parking and noise. It's about how that site is unsuited for a supermarket and the detrimental effects do outweigh the positives.

To clarify I don't own in Erko, I just rent, but I still love this place and count it as home.

regards,
Julie
Gowrie St

Julie M - 31 Dec, 2007 - 09:49:14
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Hi dear editor,

as a matter of interest, I have just taken taken a look at the opposition's very slick looking web site at http://www.newtowncorner.com/.

The front picture shows a lovely "corner market" without any signs or traffic (a nice big truck crossing the road might have been more real...)

What is really disturbing however is that there is absolutely no indication of who "Newwtown corner" is - developers, Woolworths, another local group? Yes, we do wonder? How was the slick macromedia work paid for and by whom? Not by donations from the community I am sure.

regards
Andrew S - Prospect Street

Andrew Stuckgold - 29 Jan, 2008 - 12:38:16
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Ted,

If you're looking forward to cheaper prices, you may be sorely disappointed: the Corner Market is being presented as a "boutique" supermarket - a word unlikely to be associated with big-chain-style bargains. I expect you'll still find cheaper prices at Franklins and Foodworks. As for more jobs... perhaps there will be a few more minimum-wage jobs packing shelves than already exist in the area, but in a job market with close to full employment, is that really worth putting smaller family-owned shops out of business? The money flow will be only one way: out of Erskineville, and into the pockets of Woolies' CEO & shareholders. That is not a good thing for anyone in Erskineville - long-term resident working class, or newly-arrived and cashed-up.

Robin Darroch - 04 Mar, 2008 - 08:06:24
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Central Colo 2756
14 February 2008

Ms Jan Novak
Treasurer
Village Friends

Dear Jan,

I feel al ittle like the generals at Anzac, sitting out to sea whilst the soldiers do my fighting for me on shore. Thank you and all the friends for the energy you are putting in to the compaign. Colo is a couple of hours from you all but I have owned a house in Gowrie St since 1987.

The least I can do is send a bit of financial support which is enclosed.

Peter Phelan - 13 Mar, 2008 - 15:24:31
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