Western Sydney Stadium Concept Proposal & Stage 1

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My major concerns include but are not limited to:
1. I will suffer a very serious loss of amenity if the Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool is demolished. My family as a whole will suffer this loss of amenity. Many neighbours, friends, acquaintances and people I tell about the proposal are alarmed and angry. While most will not ultimately lodge formal objections they will remember what is being done and they know that the government can stop the proposal. If the proposal goes ahead then all of these people will hold the government responsible.
2. The only basis on which most - including myself - would regard the proposal as barely tolerable would be if an outdoor replacement pool of at least the same size and quality was constructed and operational BEFORE the current Pool was closed and demolished.
3. Such a pool is essential for the health and wellbeing of adults and especially children. Elderly and disabled people depend on the existing Pool for affordable and accessible exercise. This is especially the case as the "baby boomer" generation reaches their 60-70s.
4. The existing Pool is an essential amenity for school to teach children to swim and to conduct carnivals and develop good exercise habits for in children.
5. Any satisfactory degree of consultation in the community would have revealed all of the above. The absence of any such satisfactory consultation renders this proposal unsupportable and it should therefore be rejected. I am a very keen football supporter but absolutely oppose the proposal.
6. The SEARs Report issued by Department of Planning states under Consultation that "During the preparation of the EIS, you must consult with the relevant local, State or Commonwealth Government authorities, service providers, community groups and affected landowners" The Consultation Report lodged by Venues NSW reports under Community Consultation "Two Fan Forums were held on 18 January and 9 February 2016. The forums included representatives from the NRL teams - Bulldogs, West Tigers and Parramatta Eels, the Western Sydney Wanderers and from Football Federation Australia" Therefore we believe Venues NSW did not comply with the Department of Planning SEARs report by consulting with community groups during the preparation of the EIS. The EIS is premature and should be pulled from exhibition and meaningful consultation with community groups be carried out and a new consultation report submitted again with a new EIS submission.
7. The Parramatta War Memorial Pool currently leases land from the Parramatta Park Trust; this is Crown Land that was not identified in the EIS. Further the proposed change of use of Crown Land or land that is vested as part of the Parramatta Park Trust Act 2001- did not go through the statutory notification process as per the Crown Land Act.
8. World Heritage Listed Old Government House and its Vistas will be compromised by a stadium height of 42.5 metres. This size of development is inappropriate for surrounding historically sensitive area.
9. There are at least two more acceptable alternatives. The proposed new stadium could be constructed in the vicinity of the Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. Alternatively the proposed stadium could be modified and realigned so that the existing Pool need not be demolished.
10. The construction of the proposed stadium in the Rosehill Gardens Racecourse locality would complement the Racecourse as a recreational precinct. Existing heavy rail and proposed light rail would serve the facility. James Ruse Drive provides adequate vehicle access. Ultimately even the Parramatta Leagues Club could be rebuilt in the same precinct. This would be far less invasive of any nearby residential or passive parkland areas in terms of noise pollution and traffic congestion. This would also mean that there would be much less disturbance of the remnant asbestos contamination in the grounds at and around the existing Pool and stadium. It would also mean millions of dollars in savings that otherwise would have to be spent on demolition of the existing stadium and demolition and rebuilding of the existing Pool.
11. It would as another alternative to serve greater western Sydney be more sensible to construct a stadium in the Blacktown LGA. One exists at Olympic Park, one exists at Parramatta and a new one could service outer western Sydney. This would stimulate the outer western Sydney economy generally and increase employment opportunities in particular and reduce traffic congestion and travel distances.
12. There are very serious issues relating to the arguably unlawful use of Crown Lands that need to be carefully assessed in regard to this proposal. There are perhaps even Crown Land issues regarding the existing football related land uses. These all should be addressed before any proposal is approved.
Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on this proposal.
Jon Hillman

Good Morning,
Please find attached my written submission which is attached. Currently I object this project subject to the answers that may be provided to my submission.
Again thank you for the opportunity to provide a submission.
Regards
Pablo Santos

My submission is contained in the 3page letter attached as a pdf.

17 August 2016


Major Projects Assessments
NSW Planning & Environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001


Dear Sir/Madam,

Staged Development Application - Western Sydney Stadium (Concept & Stage 1 Demolition)

The National Trust makes the following submission on the State Significant Development proposal for a staged Development Application for the Concept Plan for a new Western Sydney Stadium and the demolition of the existing stadium.

This development proposal is within Parramatta Park which was formerly the Governor's Domain, land set aside by Governor Phillip in 1788 to supply the colony's farming needs. As the Governor's Domain, the grounds were much larger than the modern day Parramatta Park, extending from Parramatta Road to the south, evident by a small gatehouse adjacent to Parramatta High School. Over time parts of the domain were taken over to make way for Parramatta High School, a golf course, the Western (railway) line, Parramatta RSL and Bowling Club, Parramatta Swimming Centre, and the Parramatta Stadium. The most significant loss of land was the eight hectares to the Parramatta Stadium Trust for the Parramatta Stadium.

It became a public park in 1858, one of the earliest in the world.

Parramatta Park, Former Governor's Domain was listed on the Register of the National Trust in May, 1978 as one of the most historic urban parks in Australia. On the Listing Report the Trust noted that Parramatta Park, its landforms, landscape and remaining historic buildings and monuments retain the potential for this remarkable domain to regain its once fine visual status.

The Trust further noted -

"There exists with this park a unique opportunity for skilful reinstatement of a very fine urban landscape with a status and management comparable to that of the Royal Botanical Gardens and Centennial Park. It is essential to preserve landscape features of particular importance such as the Crescent with its close links with the early settlement of the Parramatta area. Further alienation must be prevented and every effort should be made to progressively phase out those alien uses as leases expire."

A Permanent Conservation Order was placed on Parramatta Park and Old Government House in June 1989 and this place was listed on the State Heritage Register in April, 1999.

Old Government House and the Government Domain were listed on the National Heritage List in August, 2007 and Old Government House and Domain was listed on the World Heritage List in July 2010 as one of eleven sites across Australia that form the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property.

In 1979 there was considerable public and Trust opposition to the State Government's approval in principle of a 40,000-seat football stadium at the oval, major problems being traffic, access and parking. The historic urban park was suffering from neglect and far too many alienations but the Government passed the Cumberland Oval Act of 1981. The Trust stated: `It made a mockery of the Government's own planning procedures...' and in the Trust's 1979-80 Report added `...the Government accepted the vote-catching Parramatta Leagues Club proposal without holding an open inquiry'.

In late 1981 the Trust and others placed their objections before the Land and Environment Court. The Court decision of March and a Supreme Court appeal in September declared the local Council's decision to permit construction as null and void. In December 1982 the State Government resolved to approve a 30,000 seat stadium project which would be exempt from the provisions of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act. The Sydney Morning Her¬ald's editorial of 13 December in reviewing the proposal stated: `The Government's alleged commitment to environ¬mental protection must now be considered thoroughly suspect...' and quoted Tom Uren MP as stating it was: `an act of political, environmental and urban vandalism.' In February, 1983 the Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court was reported as criticising the State Government for the proposed legislation, which would have the effect of overturning his judicial decision. A further Herald editorial of 15 March again was critical of the Government's actions but the controversial amendments to the Cumberland Oval Act were assented to on 4 May, 1983.

In June 2016 the NSW Government announced the construction of a new stadium to replace the existing stadium in Parramatta Park.

The proposed stadium has the potential to severely impact on the Parramatta Park broader landscape and on the views from Old Government House which form part of the World Heritage Listing.

The Historical Heritage section of the Environmental Impact Statements notes that the concept proposal has the potential to significantly impact the heritage values of Old Government House and Domain and Parramatta Park both directly and indirectly.

The National Trust believes that there should be no increase in built form in the original boundaries of Parramatta Park.

If the facilities at the Parramatta Park Stadium are now inadequate then a permanent move to the 83,500 seat Homebush ANZ Stadium should be investigated as a more logical, less damaging and less costly alternative. The Parramatta Eels are already a home team at the Homebush ANZ Stadium

Similarly, the Parramatta Football Club should not be expanding its facilities in Parramatta Park but should also be encouraged to relocate to a site at ANZ Stadium Homebush.

The Homebush site is now within the new boundaries of the City of Parramatta and has dedicated heavy rail access and car parking for more than 10,000 cars on-site.

The proposed building envelope for the new Western Sydney Stadium, as indicated in figure 2.3.1, page 10 of the Visual Impact Assessment (Part I) appears to be double the height of the existing stadium.

The rear wall of the proposed stadium will face towards Old Government House and the Governor's Domain World Heritage Site.

The montage images on page 32 of the Visual Impact Assessment (Part II) confirm that the proposed stadium will be highly visible above the tree line and will impact negatively on the views from the World Heritage Area.

The Environmental Impact Statement confirms that this impact will be "high" to "severe".

The National Trust strongly urges that the alternative Homebush site be investigated rather than constructing a new stadium and expanding the Parramatta Football Club premises.

Such a move would allow this important element of Parramatta Park to be reincorporated into the State and National Heritage Listed Areas and to be considered for addition to the World Heritage Area.


Yours sincerely,

Graham Quint
Director - Advocacy

I object to this application because
Tt does not meet the requirements for community consultation. It calls for a grant of more land than acttally needed for the proposed staduim.
It proposes an unnecessary demolition of a community asset.
If violates required procedures regarding Crown Land.

More detail can be found in the attached statement.

Please see attached letter

I believe that construction of a new Western Sydney Stadium within the historical landscape of Parramatta Park offers a substandard outcome for the people of Parramatta and I am extremely disappointed that no consideration has been given to potential alternative locations within to the newly expanded Parramatta Local Government Area.

Sure, Old Government House will retain it's World Heritage Listing after the proposed development (Palmyra retains it's listing too), but meeting the minimum requirements required to retain it is little excuse for poor planning and unnecessarily diminishing the significance of our priceless cultural heritage which we could instead be leveraging for far greater social and economic gain.

Please refer to the attached study of possible alternative locations for the construction of the proposed Western Sydney Stadium.

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what is this about? what is required?

I am personally disappointed that the proposal will result in the demolition of the Parramatta Memorial Swimming Pool. I use it regularly in the summer and enjoy its open and pleasing environment.

I personally agree and support the local community's objection to the loss of this important and well loved public place without any certainty that a replacement facility will be provided. I believe that this is a poor situation that gives the impression that the strong community attachment to the pool is belittled and seems to favour powerful advocates for the stadium over the local supporters of the pool.

In addition, I would like to submit my personal objection to the loss of the pool designed and built in the late 1950s. It is well designed mid twentieth century pool complex with a handsome street presence. I have enjoyed the well designed complex with its thoughtful and dignified entry building facing O'Connell St. The design of the original 1959 pool was recognized by Parramatta Council's with its sympathetic alterations in 2009.

If, unfortunately, an approval is given to the demolition of the pool, the old pool and its history must be remembered in the new development. The Department should require the proponent to undertake an archival photographic recording of the whole pool and measured drawings of the pools surviving 1950s sections. Well designed interpretation should be included in the new development on the site of the pool to tell future visitors of the pool's origins and history.