Unwin St and Bayview Ave: Canterbury Bankstown Council works to stop development
A southwest Sydney council is fighting to save vacant blocks from development, as the future of a “critical” green space remains unknown.
The Express
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A council and residents are in a battle with the Department of Planning to save vacant lots from “disastrous” residential development.
Canterbury Bankstown Council called on the Planning Minister for an emergency planning proposal to rezone 2, 14, 16, 18 Unwin St and 16-18 Bayview Ave Earlwood from low density residential to a public recreation space.
The proposal will link Waterwork Park and Wolli Creek Regional Park with a potential footbridge crossing from Waterwork, as well as the restoration of local plant species along Unwin St.
Unwin St resident Lydia Feng, who has lived next to one of the vacant blocks for 12 years, said the department’s proposal to sell the land had sent “shockwaves” among residents.
“It’s not any street, it’s a special street,” she said. “We have so many birds that use the area for nesting and foraging that are disappearing fast in our inner city suburbs so we want to protect them.”
Ms Feng said residents were blindsided by the department’s proposal to sell after a bulldozer appeared unannounced and cleared the block in September last year.
“A contractor ripped apart the land, turned it over and that alerted us because at the beginning, the Department of Strategic Planning said it was just maintenance,” she said.
“That has never happened before, so how can a land clearing with a bulldozer be routine maintenance?”
Ms Feng said while Unwin St residents understand “people need to have a safe shelter”, the Planning Department needs to consider if housing is the best use of the land.
“The social and environmental benefits will be amplified with the approach of a green street rather than making it into a dodgy development.”
Cr Barbara Coorey who put forward the motion at a recent council meeting, said it’s a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to save the land.
“We have suffered so much from development in the area, look at the horrific skylines in the south and the development on Canterbury Rd so it’s critical we maintain the land for open space recreation,” she said.
A Canterbury Bankstown council spokesman said the council was investigating options to transform Unwin St into a ‘green corridor’ – but the state government also had a role in protecting the land.
“Council has raised its opposition to any proposed sale of vacant state government land in Unwin St, and supports it being handed over to the National Parks and Wildlife Service,” he said.
The council is in the process of drafting a letter requesting the Minister for Planning to rezone the land from low density residential to public recreation.
Wolli Creek Preservation Society also supports the green corridor through their Unwin Green Street Project.
“The proposal is an excellent example of how green corridors can be expanded and urban streets and gardens used to support habitat for native wildlife and its movement along corridors,” a society spokesman said.
Canterbury Bankstown deputy mayor Clare Raffan said council had the opportunity to “create something special”.
“The community will benefit by experiencing the Wolli Creek wilderness and the rich ecology and cultural heritage.”
A Department of Planning and Environment spokesman said neither the Department nor Minister has received any request from Council on this matter.
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