The CUB’s trade-off for being more green

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM

More parks, less parking troubles, and pedestrian pathways, are all part of the revised master plan for the old Kent Brewery site in Chippendale as presented at a community information session last week.

The evening allowed members of the community to offer feedback about the proposed new site and interact with its project managers and design team, Ateliers Jean Nouvel and Frasers + Partners.

Revisions to the master plan, which came about after community feedback and concerns, renders the site more environmentally friendly, reducing traffic congestion by creating underground car parking and using water and solar power to create a six-star urban quarter of 100% carbon neutrality.

David Pocklington, co-convenor of the East Chippendale community group told The City News that the new proposals were well received by residents at the meeting.

‘It seems to be general consensus that the change, by and large is much better than the previous one,’ he said.

However, he added that concerns were raised about the increased density of the planned site.

‘The trade-off is that developers will increase the overall density of the site and increase the bulking along the Broadway frontage,’ he said.

‘Sydneysiders will be staggered when they pass by and see [the density of the site],’ he added.

In response to the concerns, the developers said the positive attributes of the plan would compensate for the increased bulk.

Demolition work on the site will begin in November this year and once the proposed master plan is approved and the project application is lodged with the Department of Planning, construction is scheduled to commence mid-2009.