The NSW Government has recently announced a proposal for the extensive redevelopment of a part of North Eveleigh known as the ‘paint shop’, named after the 135-year-old brick workshop where the state’s passenger trains were overhauled until 1988. The ten hectares of railway land (public land) is between Carriageworks and Redfern Station.
Minister for Cities Rob Stokes’ media release describes the key features of this proposed extensive development as:
- adaptive reuse of the 6,000 square metre Paint Shop building.
- new public square fronting Wilson Street.
- new public parkland near Chief Mechanical Engineer’s building.
- new public square near Carriageworks and the Paint Shop.
- plans for up to 450 new homes
- at least 30% diverse housing, at least half of which must be social and affordable housing.
- building heights ranging from three to 28 storeys.
According to this SMH article about the redevelopment plans for this historic Sydney precinct under the draft plans, 15% of the 450 new homes will be deemed affordable or social housing, while a further 15% are earmarked for so-called diverse housing ranging from student to build-to-rent accommodation. Shelter NSW will be contacting its members this week seeking feedback on this particular aspect of the proposal. Notwithstanding Minister Stokes’ assertion that this requirement will be ‘historic’ we will question whether it is enough given the continuing inability of the private housing market to provide a sufficient supply of housing affordable for lower-income people in the inner city.
Credit: NSW GOVERNMENT
The proposed masterplan from Transport for NSW is open for public exhibition until August 25. Submissions can be made to the Department of Planning and Environment via this website. For more information you can access the following links:
- a virtual engagement site
- DPE Planning Portal
- Transport for NSW Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Renewal webpage
REDwatch site which has assembled a comprehensive set of relevant documents.