“Why does the council need to put hundreds of people out of work to supply affordable housing close to transport, when it could give up its own car parks, which are much closer to public transport?”
Small businesses in the Dulwich Hill Village are calling out the hypocrisy of the Inner West Council‘s decision to sell off three public car parks vital to the Village’s survival, while retaining all the Council’s one staff car parks.
The Dulwich Hill Village, which supports an eclectic mix of over 140 small businesses, faces a bleak future after it was revealed the Seaview and Loftus Street car parks are to be sold to private developers for the purpose of building residential towers.
There is no detail in the highly-controversial Inner West Council Fairer Futures Plan (LEP) that specifies the sale of the three public car parks will be mandated for housing, as previously publicised by Mayor Darcy Byrne.
Margo Cashman, Inner West business leader and Partner at Bread & Butter Research, says businesses in the Village are angered by Council’s plans to sell off vital car parks, while retaining its own staff car parking.
“It’s unconscionable that the Council would risk the livelihoods of hundreds of people, while the Mayor, Councillors, and council staff continue to enjoy car parking at council buildings,” exclaimed Cashman.
“We’re being told by the Council Inner West that residents and businesses should embrace car-free living. Why does the council need to put hundreds of people out of work to supply affordable housing, when it could give up its own car parks, much closer to public transport?” asks Cashman.”
The Dulwich Hill Village is over one kilometre from the closest Metro station, more than the 400m set by the TOD. It has two bus stops.
Cashman has identified a number of car parks that could be used, including the Inner West Council Petersham service centre, which sits just 250m from Petersham Station.
“What we need right now is for Mayor Byrne to show some backbone and lead by example. He should give up his and his staff parking before sacrificing businesses in the Dulwich Hill Village. Every business here relies on customers being able to drive to and park at the Village. Removing these three car parks will kill this vibrant and historic shopping village,” she said.
Dion Papanicolaou is the third generation to work in his family butcher, Dulwich Hill Gourmet Meats, which has been part of the Dulwich Hill Village fabric for over 40 years.
His grandparents started the butcher when they migrated from overseas and Dion’s plan to take over the family business is now uncertain, due to the Council’s plan to develop the car parks that service the Village.
“Most of our customers come in by car. They’re families with two or three children. I’m sure if they can’t access our business because of the car parks, they’re just going to go somewhere else that’s easier and accessible.
“If there is no future here, I don’t know what I am going to do, I might even leave the country. I can’t move and emulate this somewhere else, I have a special connection to the customers and know them all by name. The plan is going to change the dynamic of the whole area, and for what? Profits,” Dion said.
Arthur Mamalikos is another young business person in the Village. He launched his first business, a franchise of Fitstop earlier this year. It occupies one of the car parks slated for sale to private developers.
“It’s laughable that The Fairer Future Plan spruiks a promise to ‘revitalise Inner West shopping and entertainment precincts, creating new venues and jobs, and giving local businesses a boost,’” says Cashman.
“If the Inner West is serious about both housing and liveable communities, Council must stop trading off one against the other. Development should not mean the death of Dulwich Hill Village.”
Key Facts:
- To Go: 180 public spaces to go at Dulwich Hill Village (more than 1 km from Metro, intermittent bus access)
- To Stay: Petersham Service Centre keeps 66 spaces, 53 of which are 8 hour spaces to accommodate staff (250m from Petersham station)
- To Stay: Leichhardt Service Centre keeps 106 spaces, 31 reserved for the mayor councillors and staff.