Developer speaks on Leichhardt’s proposed Henry Street boarding house ex-con claims
A two-storey boarding house planned for a residential Leichhardt street has caused controversy after a social media post claiming it would house ex-cons. Now the developer speaks out to refute the claims.
Inner West
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A developer behind a controversial proposed boarding house has dismissed claims it will house ex-cons.
The proposal for Henry St, Leichhardt, caused a stir online in recent days with one community Facebook page quoting an anonymous source as saying the proposal was “going to house 38 prisoners”.
The post drew almost 150 comments, mostly from concerned residents.
But development manager Alex Machkevitch, for the applicant Corona Projects, said: “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
When asked who was going to live there, he said: “People who live in boarding houses.”
Mr Machkevitch said the two-storey “modern” boarding house will accommodate people of all ages and budgets includes those who are single, couples and families.
“This development is targeting … policemen and women, nurses, firemen, drivers, etc., young professionals, displaced women,” he said.
“It’s not an old, rundown place with a corridor down the middle and rooms on either side, where people come to drink their sorrows. It’s a room with full amenities — a bathroom and kitchen,” Mr Machkevitch said.
Mr Machkevitch said all residents will stay on a lease of three months or longer.
The development application for the 22-room boarding house at 38 Henry St was before the Land and Environment Court this week. The owner LKF Investments Pty Ltd appealed Inner West Council’s refusal of the proposal earlier this year.
The hearing finished yesterday and the decision is reserved.
The council’s refusal was related to a number of noncompliance issues.
The anonymous post on the Facebook page Leichhardt Community Group read: “As a resident and I myself have young children this is very concerning coming into the area, also the fact that Leichhardt secondary collage children walk though the street to get to the light rail and also Pioneer park is very popular with young children and so close to this halfway house, these prisoners on parole will be free to roam our streets all day with curfew at only 10pm.”
Grace Apap, who owns the liquor store next door to the proposed site, told the Inner West Courier “all the neighbours are so scared”.
“We’re freaking out completely. Not only is it going to devalue our home, we’re scared for our safety,” she said.
Mrs Apap said parking on the street is already at capacity due to the St Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church, which is a few doors down at 21 Henry St.
“It’s a dead-end street. You can’t get in and can’t get out. It’ll mean more people in an overcrowded little street,” she said.
The council gave nine reasons for rejecting the development application, which included that the “submissions raised valid grounds of objection” and that the application was “contrary to the public interest”.
The council also said the application was “inconsistent and/or has not demonstrated compliance with the draft carparking requirements”.
The application includes four car spaces, four bicycle spaces and four motorcycle spaces.
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