Mirvac vows to work with the community on Marrickville plans
THE developers behind major rezoning plans for Marrickville have gone back to the drawing board after initial plans were described by federal Labor’s Anthony Albanese as a “public relations debacle”.
Inner West
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THE developers behind major rezoning plans for Marrickville have gone back to the drawing board after initial plans were described by Grayndler federal Labor MP Anthony Albanese as a “public relations debacle”.
Mirvac will establish a “community reference group” made up of local residents, businesses and community groups “to help guide the development” of the East Carrington Rd site.
The company will also hold workshops with current creative industry tenants “to ensure their continued presence on site”.
The commitments come after early proposals for the site met strong opposition from residents and Inner West Council, leading to a rally attended by more than 1000 people.
Toby Long, Mirvac’s general manager of residential development NSW, said the company has gone back to “first principles” in planning a new scheme that would be resubmitted to the council later this year.
He said new plans would draw inspiration from Mirvac’s Tramsheds development at Harold Park, where heritage buildings were adaptively refurbished.
“Retaining the creative industries currently operating means we are preserving an important part of the fabric of Marrickville and the site’s role in the history of manufacturing,” he said. “And also, we believe, creating a truly unique mixed-use urban renewal precinct that blends creative light industrial space, local retail, and residential uses together.”
Mr Long said the reference group aimed to draw members from residents, organisations, existing tenants, businesses and schools.
It would act as a “consultative forum” for discussing detailed aspects of the project.
Mr Albanese — whose electorate takes in the site — said developers working with residents was “the best way to get good outcomes”.
Rejecting comments from the Grattan Institute which stated “politicians should stare down the NIMBYs”, Mr Albanese said residents should be involved in the shaping of neighbourhoods.
He singled out the Harold Park redevelopment as an example of “well designed, medium-density housing in tree-lined streets”.
“This same company, Mirvac, has experienced the flip side of this with its initial plans to build 28-storey towers in Marrickville,” he said.
“In what has been a public relations debacle every street in south Marrickville has corflute posters which say ‘Marrickville not Mirvacville’. I’m pleased they are now reassessing their plans and looking to involve the community more closely.”
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HAVE YOUR SAY
People interested in becoming a member of the community reference group have been asked to provide a 200 word statement outlining their interest in the redevelopment, how they will act as a conduit for project information, and if they represent with local groups or bodies.
The process will be managed by Ethos Urban and the first meeting is scheduled to be held at 6pm on Thursday, April 12.
Expressions of interest to join the reference group are open until April 9.
For details or to apply visit consultation@ethosurban.com or call 1800 743 436
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