Pressure builds on Premier to stop obscene redevelopment

Published On: Sun, Jan 15th, 2012

Pressure builds on Premier to stop obscene redevelopment

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RYDE TWIN TOWER DISGRACE

The O’Farrell Government must listen to the local community and stop Ryde Council’s plan to ram through a 24-storey redevelopment of the Ryde Civic Centre, Deputy Opposition Leader and Planning spokesperson Linda Burney said today.

“Barry O’Farrell and the Liberals promised to give planning power back to local communities –instead they are trampling all over them,” Ms Burney said.

“The Premier needs to listen to the concerns of local Ryde residents about the proposed Civic Centre redevelopment. It’s time for the Premier to stand above the fray, show leadership and stop this ridiculous monstrosity being built.

“More than 2000 local residents have lodged submissions opposing the development – which clashes obscenely with the surrounding buildings and environment. Despite this, Ryde Council looks set to ignore residents’ objections and plough ahead with a 24 storey monstrosity on the site.

“Just imagine what the centre of Ryde will look like with these twin towers jutting up – three times the Civic Centre’s current height. It will be the mother of all eyesores.

“This area cannot cope with a massive injection of new residents in the absence of new infrastructure. Lane Cove Road, Victoria Road and Blaxland Street risk turning into permanent traffic jams.

“The Residents for Ryde action group and Ryde Alliance have done an incredible job advocating on behalf of the local community – unfortunately their concerns appear to be falling on deaf ears.

“Local Member Victor Dominello has just gone missing in action instead of upholding the wishes of his constituents.”

If the proposal is approved at the upcoming council meeting, it will then be referred to the Planning Minister, Brad Hazzard to be approved and gazetted.

“The Government should not give this proposal the green-light against the wishes of the local community,” said Ms Burney. It goes against everything Barry O’Farrell and Victor Dominello promised the people of Ryde. If the twin towers go up, it will be the O’Farrell Government’s fault.”