Fifth Meeting of Friends of Erskineville
Committee Meeting opens at 7.30pm Present: Brett Mason Alastair Moir Leah Arthur Jyoti Horneman Maurizio Floris David Solomon Angela Hoad Philip Penwright Iain McAllum Brett Davis Gary Makin Zio Ledeux Marie Hamilton-Smith Raoul Hamilton-Smith Louise Larcombe Lyn Schmidt Vanessa Saunders Andrew Lindsay Leith Mansell Apologies: Paul Howard Gretchen Miller Amalina Wallace Brett Mason opens meeting and begins by welcoming an informal delegation from the south Erskineville area who are present to discuss their problems with an affordable housing development being planned for the Egg Studio warehouse site on the corner of Rochford and Knight (D/2010/1398). Egg Studio development Cnr of Rochford St and Knight St,South West Erskineville The proposal contains 13 units within a 24 sq m and a maximum residency of 2 people per unit. With affordable housing developments the developer can access tax benefits. Occupants would be means tested and would have to meet specific income levels. Some residents suggest this is an ambit claim. The affordable housing label lasts for 10 years before it finishes. The main concern of residents is there is no provision for parking in an area which is already over parked. Though there is no philosophical objection to affordable housing they question the correctness of this particular site. The group wished to get advice on how to organize an objection to this development. Brett explained Council process and suggested strategies that have been followed by FOE – mobilize residents, letter box drops, individual letters to Council and specifically face to face meetings with Councillors. Focus on parking. noise/acoustics, density, and privacy/overshadowing. FOE could also provide a web page for their use. Traffic and Parking (Tim Hiley) Tim briefly summarized the results of the traffic/parking survey and said he would now filter the results through data software in order to present the material. It will be prioritized by street, a set of recommendations made and then a media release prepared with results posted on FOE web site. Some immediate observations: Approximately 223 responses over 56 streets. Over 87% of residents have a car. 90% report increase in traffic. 75% see a need for more safety crossings. Trucks reported using streets illegally. 45% report problems with parking. 40% of residents concerned with car share schemes and 60% ok with it. 20% find it not a problem finding a park. 29% want parking restrictions and 30% no change. The issue of parking restrictions is potentially the most divisive issue. Car Share: No response from Council yet to FOE letter. Parking: No response from Council yet to FOE letter. Treaurers Report Funds stand at $819.00 presently. $528.00 being spent on soil and site report for community garden site. EFT now active on web site. Other Issues Key to notice board at Erskineville Council offices now available to FOE. The meeting was closed at 9.00pm |