Urban Renewal in Pyrmont

Transcription

1 Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Secondary program Years Geography stage 6 Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six

2 Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Contents Maximise the experience 3 Syllabus links Stage six 4 Background information 5 A brief history of Pyrmont 10 Excursion map and worksheets 14 Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 2

3 Maximise the experience Integrating the Urban Renewal in Pyrmont excursion within a teaching unit will increase the efficacy of the learning experience. Please let our office know whether you ve decided to use the excursion as an introduction to the topic or as a refresher after completing the unit in class. This will help your Urban Excursions guide pitch the program to the right level. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 3

4 Population The process that parts of large settlements undergo when they are sufficiently run-down to result in a loss of amenity and population from the immediate area or region. SYLLABUS LINKS: STAGE 6 The Urban Renewal in Pyrmont excursion provides effective practical links with the NSW Board of Studies Stage 6 Geography syllabus. Population Pyrmont Ultimo Geography outcomes Preliminary Course Senior Geography Project (SGP) P7 formulates a plan for geographical inquiry P8 selects, organises and analyses relevant geographical information from a variety of sources. P9 uses maps, graphs and statistics, photographs and fieldwork to conduct geographical inquiries P10 applies mathematical ideas and techniques to analyse geographical data P11 applies geographical understanding and methods ethically and effectively to a research project P12 communicates geographical information, ideas and issues using appropriate written and/or oral, cartographic and graphic forms. HSC Course Urban Places H1 explains the changing nature, spatial patterns and interactions of ecosystems, urban places and economic activity. H3 analyses contemporary urban dynamics and applies them in specific contexts. H5 evaluates environmental management strategies in terms of environmental change. H6 evaluates the impacts of, and responses of people to environmental change. H12 explains geographical patterns, processes and future trends through appropriate cases studies and illustrative examples. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 4

5 BACKGROUND INFORMATION What is urban renewal? An area or region within a larger settlement may suffer depopulation and/or loss of amenity when existing housing, industry and infrastructure become run-down. Urban renewal is the process by which these negative trends are reversed. By revitalising the housing stock, industry and infrastructure, either through a program of rebuilding, refurbishment or reuse, an area s amenity and population density can be improved. Urban renewal can happen incrementally but is usually controlled and managed by regulatory bodies such as government departments that abide by statutory laws, regulations and policies. This ensures that the process of urban renewal is managed in a planned and systematic manner to realise broader economic and social improvement. Planning framework in NSW Governments and legislative assemblies control planning in Australian states and territories. Each region has different planning laws. In New South Wales planning is regulated by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 or EPAA The EPAA 1979 aims to improve the quality of life for the people of New South Wales through quality urban planning that promotes economic development, opens up public spaces and community facilities, and conserves natural environments for future generations. Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (formerly Planning NSW) responsible for the ratification of planning instruments formulated under the EPAA. However, there are a number of different levels of plan making. New developments within the state must generally comply with all applicable plans, from State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) to Regional Environmental Plans (REPs) and Local Environmental Plans (LEPs). Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 5

6 Regional Environmental Plans (REPs) REPs deal with issues of regional importance such as the protection of a river catchment area or the provision of a public transport system. They give local governments a framework for detailed local planning. REPs often apply to large areas (such as the North Coast or Hunter Regions of NSW), but can also relate to small sites of regional significance, such as Homebush Bay or Walsh Bay. An REP is proposed either by the Minister or the Director General for Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (formerly Planning NSW). The Department carries out a regional environmental study of the area, investigating topics such as environmental conservation, housing and settlement, and suitable infrastructure for industry. Once again, members of the public are usually invited to comment on the draft REP. With the Minister s approval, the plan becomes law and is published in the Government Gazette. State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) SEPPs deal with important statewide issues, such as protecting important rainforest areas and encouraging employment-generating developments. SEPPs provide plans for significant projects in specific locations or are related to particular issues such as SEPP 19: Urban Bushland ensuring that state government policies are carried out uniformly throughout the state. SEPPs are guidelines for specific issues that are significant to the state. An idea for a SEPP is proposed either by the Minister or the Director General for Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (formerly Planning NSW). The Department prepares a draft for the Minister s consideration, and usually invites public comment on the proposals that are incorporated into the second draft. With the Minister s and the State Governor s approval, the planning policy becomes law and is published in the Gov- Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 6

7 Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) LEPs are prepared by local governments to guide planning decisions within their areas. LEPs allow Councils to supervise the manner in which land is used, provide specific and more comprehensive planning policies for individual types of development and ensure that local heritage and environmentally sensitive areas are conserved. An LEP is proposed either by the local Council or the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning. The Council then conducts a Local Environmental Study (LES) that allows it to identify and focus on important environmental issues that must be considered in the draft LEP. Assisted by general directives from the Minister, the Council prepares a draft plan for exhibition and comment by the community. After considering community feedback, the LEP is submitted to the Minister before it becomes law and is published in the Government Gazette. Masterplans Another form of planning instrument is known as a Masterplan. Unlike SEPPs, REPs and LEPs, Masterplans are not legal planning instruments but provide details of the preferred type, scale and form of development for large areas of land that fall within the scope of a Regional Environmental Plan. Masterplans establish broad planning criteria for factors such as amenity, environment, heritage, culture, employment and community sustainability. They also ensure that a balance of land use occurs between residential, commercial and open spaces. Masterplans were vital to the urban consolidation process undertaken by the City West Development Corporation and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority in the Pyrmont-Ultimo precinct, among others. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 7

8 The planning policy instrumental in the revitalization of Pyrmont Key components of Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 26 City West The revitalization of the Pyrmont-Ultimo precinct fell within the guidelines of a wider Regional Environmental Plan called the Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No 26 City West (SREP 26). In turn, SREP 26 was governed by the principles expressed in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act SREP 26 was first gazetted in It was reprinted in 1995 to include several amendments. Since being reprinted, it has been revised and amended again in 1995, 1997 and SREP 26 covered a 300 hectare area adjacent to Sydney s CBD. Its original intent was to revitalise and create four precincts, namely: the Pyrmont-Ultimo precinct the Bays precinct (including Glebe Island, White Bay, Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay) the Eveleigh precinct (that became the Australian Technology Park) the Central Railway precinct. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 8

9 Management of the urban renewal program in Pyrmont Various government bodies have been responsible for the management of urban renewal programs in diverse parts of Sydney. For example, the Sydney Cove Authority once managed the historic harbourside precinct of The Rocks and the South Sydney Development at Green Square. Such management bodies have changed through time some have run their legislative course and have been disbanded while others have coalesced to form larger organisations. Two organisations the City West Development Corporation and Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority have been instrumental in managing the program of urban renewal for the Pyrmont-Ultimo peninsula. City West Development Corporation (CWDC) The City West Development Corporation was constituted by the NSW Government in 1992, to manage government-owned land and to oversee the revitalisation and redevelopment of the City West region a 300-hectare area adjacent to Sydney s CBD comprising four precincts: 8rmont Point Park on the the Pyrmont-Ultimo peninsula the Bays precinct (including Glebe Island, White Bay, Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay) Central Railway Eveleigh. The Corporation s business was to: manage government land holdings manage the provision of infrastructure promote and encourage orderly economic development and investment, in line with government s social and environmental objectives. CWDC was funded from 1992/93 to 1995/96 under the joint Commonwealth and State Governments Building Better Cities Program. The original design Urban Design Strategy for the Ultimo-Pyrmont Masterplan Areas was developed by Edward Alexander and Jan McCredie who aimed to create a unified urban concept for the whole peninsula. Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) SHFA was established in 1999, under the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Act 1998 and became incorporated in January It took over the functions of the City West Development Corporation until near completion of the project December in At that time City of Sydney became the consent authority for the area. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 9

10 A brief history of Pyrmont More than 200 hundred years ago, Pyrmont was an unspoilt peninsula covered in natural bushland and inhabited by native animals such as dingoes.or thousands of years, groups of Indigenous people from the Eora language group visited the peninsula as they followed seasonal gluts of food. In 1788, the first Europeans created a settlement in War rang now known as Sydney Cove. As the European population expanded they spread out into nearby bushland areas. The first Pyrmont land grant was made to a soldier called Thomas Jones in In 1799, this land was sold to John Macarthur a member of the NSW Corps and he built a saltmaking works there and a grain-grinding windmill. In 1834 Macarthur died and his land was subdivided and sold off by his son, Edward. The new owners built houses from local sandstone and the first industries such as quarrying, boat building and timber milling began to develop, however, it was the building of the first Pyrmont Bridge in 1858 that really encouraged Pyrmont to boom. The bridge provided easy access between the city and the peninsula, encouraging more businesses and people to move there Pyrmont from City showing first bridge Circa 1890 s Industry The development of Pyrmont and Ultimo was in many ways typical of early nineteenth century industrial suburbs prior to the development of transport networks except they were occurring in the mid to late nineteenth century. The workers had to live in close proximity to their place of work because it was too expensive to travel to work on public transport or too far to walk. Thus we see in Pyrmont and Ultimo the development of residential accommodation and industrial complexes in close proximity to each other in the closing decades of the nineteenth century. One of the earliest industries to establish itself in Pyrmont was there by 1846 when the Hunter River Company (later part of ASN) built a shipyard. John Fyfe and Son opened up a foundry in This was more than ten years after the Chowne Brothers set up their shipyard. A small group of houses were built along Chowne Street following the establishment of the Chowne Brothers shipyard. The increasing population required the provision of services. The first post office was opened in 1853 and in 1858 the suburb was linked to the eastern side of Darling Harbour by a bridge. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 10

11 The first street lighting was installed in the early 1860s and a twelve inch water pipe was laid in Harris Street in 1861 although it was not until the mid 1870s that reticulated water was generally available in Pyrmont and Ultimo. Sewerage was still not available in Some local families such as the Saunders and McCredies did well. Charles Saunders started quarrying on Harris land soon after his arrival in the colony in 1853, although in the later 1850s he is listed in Sands Directory as licensee of the Quarryman s Arms on the corner of John and Mount Streets. The demand for Pyrmont stone meant that he took out a quarrying lease from George Harris in 1860 and started an operation which would stretch round to Johnstons Bay and the family wharf. Saunder s quarry supplied stone for the construction of the University of Sydney and the GPO amongst many others. The Harris family required their quarrymasters, as a condition Pyrmont Quarry Sydney - by A Tischbauer C of their leases, to use some of the stone to erect new houses, which the family could then rent out. The houses were to be built to certain specifications, which at times even stipulated the number of coats of paint to be applied. The McCredies consisted of various brothers who worked mainly as builders. They were involved in the construction of the new Colonial Secretary s building and the Pitt Street extension of the General Post Office in the 1880s. They had a stone yard in Bowman Street immediately adjacent to the archaeological excavations in Area C Area C was located on McCredie Street, later Harvey Street. Members of this family had lived in a house in the study area but by 1860 they had moved into Bowman Street around the corner, although a McCredie continued to own the head lease at no. 1 Harvey Street until the twentieth century. In 1867 the City Iron Works, run by the Brown brothers, set up its operation overlooking Elizabeth Bay. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 11

12 In 1875 the Colonial Sugar Refinery (CSR), their operation in Chippendale no longer viable due to pollution concerns, bought up five acres of Pyrmont, mostly by purchasing a lease from William Chowne. The new site had a deep-water frontage and the company could have its own wharves. It was built of locally quarried sandstone and cost 200,000. There were few nearby residents to be affected by the various noxious odours emitted by the re-fining processes. By 1877 the Australian Tin Smelting Company set up operations at the end of Chowne Street on the western side of the CSR works. New industrial plants were opening throughout Pyrmont. By the 1880s Robert Saunders operated large quarries in the northern part of the peninsula. He invested heavily in capital equipment such as cranes and steam cutting equipment. The McCredie Brothers were doing well enough to win the 130,000 construction of the Pitt Street extension of the GPO. The 1880s witnessed the construction of twenty woolstores in Ultimo, the first being the Goldsbrough Mort Woolstore in It was soon followed by a large grain and produce store. These changes were responses to the development of nearby wharves and a goods rail line through Pyrmont-Ultimo which were necessary for the booming export primary industries of the 1870s and 1880s. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 12

13 The deindustrialisation of the eastern side of Darling Harbour was responsible for the establishment of many industries in Ultimo and Pyrmont. Aside from the large industrial complexes the 1880s saw the development of smaller scale industries which serviced the large industries, such as iron foundries. All this development tended to push out any remnant dairies or agricultural practices which were part of the early occupation of Pyrmont and Ultimo, as did the rise of refrigerated dairies. There were two dairies within the CSR site, one of which was excavated athough few archaeological remains were found. These two dairies survived into the early twentieth century. The population of the peninsula peaked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with a combined resident and itinerant population of approximately 30,000. At this time, thousands of people were employed on the wharves, in wool stores and in the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR). However, as time passed and economic and industrial needs changed, the availability of good quality housing decreased and population numbers began to fall. By 1981 there were only 1,590 people living on the peninsula. Since 1994, the urban renewal process in Pyrmont has transformed the suburb from one of Australia s most significant examples of urban decay to the most densely populated area in Australia. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 13

14 EXCURSION MAPPING: With your Urban Excursions guide, map out the route your group will walk during today s excursion. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 14

15 EXCURSIONS WORKSHEET 1: Adaptive reuse and heritage fabric Building Original function Function today Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 15

16 EXCURSION WORKSHEET 2: Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 16

17 EXCURSION WORKSHEET 3: Standing on the corner of Harris and John Streets, identify as many features of the built environment as possible and label them on the map below. With your Urban Excursions guide, develop a hypotheses on why the various urban processes are evident in the landscape. Urban Decay Urban Renewal Heritage fabric Transport infrastructure Urban consolidation Community facilities Evidence of social equity Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 17

18 EXCURSION WORKSHEET 4: Land use transect With the assistance of your guide, gather data on land use in areas one and two. Compare the two areas and list reasons for differentiating land use. Urban Renewal in Pyrmont Stage six 18