Media Release
Monday July 3, 2017
Community Survey rejects Government’s plans for Fish Market.
The announcement of the architect for proposed changes to the Fish Market coincided with an extensive community survey being conducted by the local activist group Hands off Glebe Inc. Surveys were on line and nearly 6,000 questionnaires were distributed throughout Glebe and Ultimo.
Hands off Glebe Inc runs a local newsletter called ‘The Glebe Grapevine’ which is a bi monthly publication placed in letterboxes around the suburb.
“This month’s edition of the Glebe Grapevine spurred on by a very successful public meeting about the Bays Precinct, the Fish Market and associated issues, decided to conduct a survey of Glebe and Ultimo residents using the hand delivered Grapevine. We also provided an electronic survey for people outside the suburb. The questions are the work and responsibility of the committee,” Denis Doherty, convenor of Hands off Glebe, said.
“We had a good response to our survey and local businesses were prepared to be drop off points for completed surveys. The responses were in the majority from Glebe (84%) while we received 3% from Ultimo, 3% from Drummoyne, 3% from Leichhardt, 2% from Annandale and the remaining 5% from other suburbs.
“Residents are alarmed that the very valuable park near the site is in danger of being eroded by the new development.
“They are not happy that the residential area is largely for the wealthy and does not make allowances for social housing. This is an insensitive response to the current housing crisis in Sydney. Local residents know that in direct eyesight of the new development nearly 100 homeless people are living in tents under the viaduct which cuts through Wentworth Park.
“The greater influx of traffic caused by the new expanded market will only result in further congestion of an already congested Glebe and Ultimo.
“There are other concerns highlighted by the survey such as pollution of the bay. The effect on the school has not been considered.
“By far and away the most important issue to the community was access to the foreshore for passive and active recreation. The community wants the walkway around the bays to the city extended through this site as well open space for all.
Copies of the survey results and questions are available on our website.
for more information
contact Denis Doherty 0418 290 663