The government is reviewing Pyrmont’s planning framework and released a draft strategy that would significantly increase building density across the peninsula. It rubber stamps towers at The Star Casino and Harbourside sites despite previous planning processes identifying overshadowing, and barriers between Pyrmont and the waterfront. The government’s proposal for towers higher than the Anzac Bridge pylons at the Sydney Fish Market site have been blindly accepted without any planning analysis. Massive development and alienation of all but a walkway along the waterfront represent a shameful missed opportunity to turn the land into a world-class harbour park that would attract massive investment in Pyrmont.

Alarmingly, development is not limited to key redevelopment sites with the draft strategy proposing redevelopment of existing smaller scale buildings in the Pirrama region – including social housing homes – and greater heights on Wattle and Harris streets. The social housing communities are cohesive and well integrated and should not be uprooted to make way for high rise for modest increases in affordable housing. There is no clear social and affordable housing policy that would ensure any development delivers more than the bare minimum of affordable homes at a time when the already long social housing waiting list is expected to grow further.

Social infrastructure such as cultural centres, libraries, sport and recreation facilities, and schools are absent from the document despite proposals to significantly increase the residential population and there is little to foster connected communities. There is some good news with a proposal for a metro station and return of the greyhound racing track land to Wentworth Park for public recreation. My submission: HERE.

There is still time to make a submission or provide feedback through the online survey. Information: HERE.