This proposal, which is for the building envelope of the site, will probably be dealt with in the next few months. It is proposed to follow this with a design competition, and then more detailed DA proposals will follow. The whole process may take some time. The building has been leased back to the government for two years. The Society will continue to follow and comment on every stage, just as it has done so far.
The old Bidura building, including the garden fronting Glebe Point Rd, is safe because it is a Heritage Item. The controversial part of the DA involves the proposed new building behind Bidura.
Although Council required the height of any new development to be no greater than the height of the current Remand Centre (15 m), the State Govt changed that limit, before selling the site, to allow an extra two storeys to be built. Amongst other concerns, the Glebe Society argues in its objection to the development that because the site is in a Conservation Area and includes a Heritage Item, the original Council height control should apply. This objection has also been sent to the National Trust. The Society’s letter can be viewed at: https://www.glebesociety.org.au/?p=11350
The Society also organised a Q&A session before the final date for objections last year. The session was well attended.
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Can you advise what Glebe Society is doing in regards to next steps with SCC in relation to the proposed DA?
The new planned development would no doubt have owners with cars, hmm .. Let’s say 195 more cars trying to access Glebe Point Road or even Taylor Street, the current infrastructure makes such an increase a fantasy unless, of course, it will mean another 20 minutes for local residents to travel? It would only need a fraction of that number to cause chaos.