Ryde Central tender awarded making way for new $110M cultural hub
A new multistorey cultural hub valued at more than $100 million is one step closer to replacing the controversial Ryde Civic Centre, with the mayor claiming the project will be a “major boost” to the local economy as it recovers from the coronavirus outbreak. But some people are not convinced.
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A new multistorey cultural hub valued at more than $100 million is one step closer to replacing the controversial Ryde Civic Centre.
It comes after a tender was recently awarded to Taylor Construction Group to build Ryde Central on 1 Devlin St at an estimated cost of $110 million.
“What we are going through is temporary. Life is going to return to normal and Ryde Central will be a world-class site to showcase our local art community,” Ryde Mayor Cr Jerome Laxale told The Northern District Times.
Dubbed as ‘The New Heart of Ryde,’ the multi-use hub at the current Ryde Civic Centre site will feature a public plaza, retail precinct, new art gallery, and performance hall seating up to 700 people.
Plans also include a seven-storey commercial and local government administration building and 236 car spaces in a two-level basement carpark.
When asked whether the project will be included on a list of local ‘shovel-ready’ projects to be submitted to the State Government for consideration, Cr Laxale said the project was ready to go and and a key piece of public infrastructure.
“Federal and State Governments turn to the local government for economic stimulus. This project fits all stimulus measures — it’s shovel ready an important piece of public infrastructure for the local community and will reinvigorate Ryde businesses. It ticks all the boxes,” Cr Laxale said.
“We have put this as one of a suite of projects when state and federal stimulus will be announced. The (council’s) list is still being compiled.”
He said other projects which local government would be lobbying for include direct funding towards local parks, playgrounds and widening footpaths and roads.
While the mayor claims the project will be a “major boost” to the local economy as it recovers from the coronavirus outbreak, some councillors have expressed their concerns about the multimillion dollar development going ahead during the pandemic.
Independent Cr Roy Maggio caid he was “all for building spaces for the community” but was worried about it’s financial cost during the current climate.
“It’s not fair we’re continuing spending. We should wait until it (the pandemic) is over. There is financial difficulty now,” Cr Maggio said.
Cr Maggio was also against the plans of building a new local government administration building in a prime site.
“It should all be for the community,” he said.
Liberal Cr Sarkis Yedellian said he believes all major projects in Ryde LGA should be postponed including Ryde Central for the next six months.
“$110 million is one of the biggest expenditures Ryde Council has made. The building has been waiting there for years, six months shouldn’t make a difference.”
“I don't want to come back in six months saying we need to increase rates because we don't have enough money.”
Cr Laxale countered, saying there would be no impact on council rates or any reduction in services to pay for the council-owned development.
He said Ryde Central will be financed through a mixture of cash reserves, developer contributions and a loan.
“Council has been talking about this for a decade now is a time to boost our economy and public infrastructure which will better our community for generations,” Cr Laxale said.
THE BACKGROUND
The awarding of the tender comes more than eight years since the Civic Centre was first identified for redevelopment.
During this time the council has overturned the building’s redevelopment twice, first in 2012 and then again in 2015.
Among the many proposals for the site was a plan hatched in 2010 that would have meant the council sold the civic centre to developers.
It would have been bulldozed and replaced with two 24-storey residential towers. And in return the council would have not obtained new council chambers, a community hub and cash. It was met with widespread community backlash.
After opening in 1964, the Civic Centre housed Ryde Council’s chambers before it was deemed too unsafe by SafeWork NSW in 2015.
While the tender has been awarded, the development application is still under assessment by the North Sydney Planning Panel with its next meeting scheduled in July.
“The DA was lodged, it’s being assessed and there’s still a planning process but in terms of construction and design the tender is done and demolition and construction will be planned all based on a positive outcome with the North Sydney Planning Panel,” Cr Laxale said.