16-2-07
Media Release
Greens Coogee
Candidate Slams Government for STA Land Sell Off Near Racecourse
The Greens say
that major changes proposed to land usage in and around the Race Course is
causing concern to Doncaster Avenue residents.
They say that the
State Government sale of the old STA site that the Racecourse formerly used for
bus parking has triggered two major development proposals – each is
contentious.
Greens Candidate
for Coogee Kelly Marks has accused the State Government of being “too greedy
for revenue”.
She elaborated,
“The State
Government allowed the sell off of the STA land despite its’ importance as a
public transport facility in the local area. The State Government did not care
about the transport issues. It just took the money and left the local Council
to try and sort out the mess. What an abandonment of planning responsibility by
the Government!”
The new owners of
the now privately owned STA site wish to build 61 town houses on it despite
its’ Open Space zoning.
The owners intend
to get around the zoning restriction by exploiting a clause in Council’s
planning instruments that allow an Open Space zone site to mimic the
development controls on an adjoining residential site.
The Racecourse,
having lost it’s bus parking, is responding by planning to reconfigure its’
exit and entry points, which will impact on Doncaster Avenue.
Planning
documents the Racecourse has used to brief Randwick Councillors are critical of
the State Government sale of the STA site.
The Race Course
identifies as a key site issue the,
“…exclusion of the former tramway/busway land
which previously served as the major entrance to the Racecourse as it is now in
private ownership, thus preventing a more comprehensive planning and design
solution in the DCP.”
The Racecourse
wants to establish,
“… a new internal road connecting Alison Road
to Doncaster Avenue to link the core of the site to the public streets and
public transport services, and to provide improved taxi and drop off
arrangements”
CONTACT: Greens Candidate
for Coogee Kelly Marks 042205954