Parramatta Stadium Rebuild and other stuff

[phantom eel]

I'm moving to Parra. I can't wait.
You can move to Maitland.

Maybe I already have....

Enjoy spening big and then seeing the decline into a ghetto over the next 10 years.

 

[phantom eel]

Not sure how many people saw the article in today's SMH about the amount of development planned for Sydney, with Parramatta leading the way, and then there was the SMH Domain article about the project I mentioned above.

I saw it - but don't think cramming more people in (upwards) is necessarily a good thing, or leading the way to anywhere other than ghetto ville.

As MJC said, Parramatta has been going along quite ok as it is, without needing any 50+ story residential towers.

Obviously it's on its way to happening, but I'll reserve my right not to get excited and blow my load about some mega-towers being built for greedy corporate/developer profit.

 

[Gronk]

Those goddamn corporations!!

Shutup merkin.

 

[Gronk]

Whats wrong with Westfields Gronk?

I have no issue with redevelopment and certainly no issue with merkins making money.

My issue is with urban design and the impact that these huge shopping centres have on the community.

I can only talk about two areas that I know personally - Parramatta and Bondi Junction.

Before Westfields in Parramatta, Church Street and it's surrounding streets down to David Jones was thriving. After Westfields built it sucked the life out of the CBD. Shops in the strip closed and the David Jones end became a ghost town.

When I was in my 20's I moved to the east. Back then, the thriving shopping strips were Oxford Street Bondi Junction and Double Bay for the glitzy fashions. After Westfields came in, Double Bay died totally, Oxford Street became $2 shops and not much else. I felt for the small business owners and I mourned the loss of community.

Yes Parramatta, Bondi Junction and Double Bay have recovered, but only after 2 decades.

I'm no expert in urban planning, but I am sure that there are chapters in their text books on how this kills a "high street"

 

[Gary Gutful]

I have no issue with redevelopment and certainly no issue with merkins making money.

My issue is with urban design and the impact that these huge shopping centres have on the community.

I can only talk about two areas that I know personally - Parramatta and Bondi Junction.

Before Westfields in Parramatta, Church Street and it's surrounding streets down to David Jones was thriving. After Westfields built it sucked the life out of the CBD. Shops in the strip closed and the David Jones end became a ghost town.

When I was in my 20's I moved to the east. Back then, the thriving shopping strips were Oxford Street Bondi Junction and Double Bay for the glitzy fashions. After Westfields came in, Double Bay died totally, Oxford Street became $2 shops and not much else. I felt for the small business owners and I mourned the loss of community.

Yes Parramatta, Bondi Junction and Double Bay have recovered, but only after 2 decades.

I'm no expert in urban planning, but I am sure that there are chapters in their text books on how this kills a "high street"

Yeah. Makes perfect sense.

Hey Whiney, is this you fishing?

 

[hineyrulz]

Yeah. Makes perfect sense.

Hey Whiney, is this you fishing?

That fish was way to big to be Gronky.

 

[emjaycee]

I saw it - but don't think cramming more people in (upwards) is necessarily a good thing, or leading the way to anywhere other than ghetto ville.

As MJC said, Parramatta has been going along quite ok as it is, without needing any 50+ story residential towers.

Obviously it's on its way to happening, but I'll reserve my right not to get excited and blow my load about some mega-towers being built for greedy corporate/developer profit.

Umm, where did I say this again?
Was it in the post where I quoted a 2014 local newspaper article that showed the number of 50+ story residential towers (and numerous corporate towers) being planned? They would be the ones that are underway now wouldn't they?

 

[phantom eel]

I was actually referring to your post above that one... but on review may have credited you with talking more sense than you were?

Maybe I was inferring from your comments about corporates and government already having moved in in previous decades (which has happened without 50+ storey towers), UWS/WSU growing and gaining worldwide recognition (which has happened without 50+ storey towers), major teaching hospitals within 20mins (which has happened without 50+ storey towers), and the river being cleaned up (which has happened without 50+ storey towers).

Imo it is very exciting - and doesn't need the 50+ storey towers to be so.

 

[emjaycee]

I was actually referring to your post above that one... but on review may have credited you with talking more sense than you were?

Maybe I was inferring from your comments about corporates and government already having moved in in previous decades (which has happened without 50+ storey towers), UWS/WSU growing and gaining worldwide recognition (which has happened without 50+ storey towers), major teaching hospitals within 20mins (which has happened without 50+ storey towers), and the river being cleaned up (which has happened without 50+ storey towers).

Imo it is very exciting - and doesn't need the 50+ storey towers to be so.

Ahhh, see the corporate and governments that have moved in have only been a small part of what is to come over the next 10 years and you are correct, the recent WSU/UWS growth and recognition didn't need the 50+ storey towers but these will bring even more growth. The 2nd teaching hospital (Macquarie) becoming part of Parramatta and the serious cleanup of the river in and around the CBD is only going to be a reality because of the overall foresight of the recent local and the State governments to recognise that Parramatta will be important as a growth city and therefore needs these kind of expansions (50+ storey towers, light rail, potential VFT, etc.)

 

[Suitman]

Ahhh, see the corporate and governments that have moved in have only been a small part of what is to come over the next 10 years and you are correct, the recent WSU/UWS growth and recognition didn't need the 50+ storey towers but these will bring even more growth. The 2nd teaching hospital (Macquarie) becoming part of Parramatta and the serious cleanup of the river in and around the CBD is only going to be a reality because of the overall foresight of the recent local and the State governments to recognise that Parramatta will be important as a growth city and therefore needs these kind of expansions (50+ storey towers, light rail, potential VFT, etc.)

Mate, you've got it all wrong.
In 10 years, Parramatta will be a ghetto because of 50+ storey towers.
Poor Neil Perry and Jamie Oliver, who are moving into the area, as well as QT hotels. They are going to seriously regret their decisions.

 

[phantom eel]

Ahhh, see the corporate and governments that have moved in have only been a small part of what is to come over the next 10 years and you are correct, the recent WSU/UWS growth and recognition didn't need the 50+ storey towers but these will bring even more growth. The 2nd teaching hospital (Macquarie) becoming part of Parramatta and the serious cleanup of the river in and around the CBD is only going to be a reality because of the overall foresight of the recent local and the State governments to recognise that Parramatta will be important as a growth city and therefore needs these kind of expansions (50+ storey towers, light rail, potential VFT, etc.)

All good - it seems you agree with me that the 50+ storey towers are not a key factor in all the good things that have already and will continue to happen for Parramatta. One person in particular seems to be creaming their pants about these towers, and I'm just presenting an alternate view.

It seems you are claiming the 50+ storey towers are merely a symbol of the other elements of (non upward) growth... but haven't explained why they will be "needed" as such? I think the 50+ storey towers are a mistake - I've been to for example Kuala Lumpar, and while yes there are some nice, classy parts of that city that are high rise (eg around petronus towers), there are also some quite slummy parts that feature 50+ storey residential towers too. That's why I'm not an automatic fan, and I wonder (and fear) what state Parramatta will be in 10-20 years...?

 

[phantom eel]

Poor Neil Perry and Jamie Oliver, who are moving into the area

Both wankers of the highest order in it for a quick buck imo. Don't think QT are in it for any other reason either. Make money, move on, don't give a f**k what they leave behind.

But I guess their "profiles" might make this tower-ridden emerging ghetto "vibrant".. lol.

 

[emjaycee]

All good - it seems you agree with me that the 50+ storey towers are not a key factor in all the good things that have already and will continue to happen for Parramatta. One person in particular seems to be creaming their pants about these towers, and I'm just presenting an alternate view.

It seems you are claiming the 50+ storey towers are merely a symbol of the other elements of (non upward) growth... but haven't explained why they will be "needed" as such? I think the 50+ storey towers are a mistake - I've been to for example Kuala Lumpar, and while yes there are some nice, classy parts of that city that are high rise (eg around petronus towers), there are also some quite slummy parts that feature 50+ storey residential towers too. That's why I'm not an automatic fan, and I wonder (and fear) what state Parramatta will be in 10-20 years...?

It is clear that the NSW Government have a long term plan for the Western Sydney region and have identified Parramatta as being central to that plan. In fact Parramatta has been earmarked as Sydney's Central City by the Greater Sydney Commission as recently as last month - source.

This is on top of a recent PWC report that

"shows that Parramatta will benefit from more than $10 billion worth of investment during the next five years. Economic growth is expected to double and the City’s economy will be worth $30 billion."

- same source.

I think the need for 50+ storey residential and office towers will be proven over the next 20 years, but we can always agree to disagee.

 

[Gronk]

Mate, you've got it all wrong.
In 10 years, Parramatta will be a ghetto because of 50+ storey towers.
Poor Neil Perry and Jamie Oliver, who are moving into the area, as well as QT hotels. They are going to seriously regret their decisions.

He just opened The Burger Project in Bondi.

I give it

 

[Suitman]

He just opened The Burger Project in Bondi.

I give it

He has confidence in Parra as well.
So does Jamie Oliver, also opening an establishment.
Not sure these spurious claims of Parramatta becoming a ghetto have legs tbh.
The govt relocating the Powerhouse Museum (see picture below) into the riverside precent area also suggest they have confidence in Parramatta not becoming a ghetto in 10 years.
I'd also suggest that the developers and the governing body don't think it will either considering there is almost $5 Billion planning to be spent over the next 10 years.
Let's not forget that the city will be getting a most modern 30-35000 seat stadium in the meantime.
It's very exciting times for Parramatta.
I really can't see it becoming a New York style Bronx in 10 years, but so be it.
Trolls will be trolls.

 

[Avenger]

Ghetto my arse. Parramatta is already a better Metropolis than North Sydney. Not talking harbour etc, just talking about an actual business centre with proper infrastructure that isn't always in shadows like that soulless joint that North Sydney is.

 

[strider]

Plus North Sydney is a frickin ghost town on weekends

 

[emjaycee]

Plus North Sydney is a frickin ghost town on weekends

Agree, to make a CDB area more vibrant and less of a ghost town (ghetto for some), you need to include either tourist attractions, or entertainment to attract visitors and you need to have residents in 50+ storey towers to make sure there are already people there.

 

[phantom eel]

It is clear that the NSW Government have a long term plan for the Western Sydney region and have identified Parramatta as being central to that plan. In fact Parramatta has been earmarked as Sydney's Central City by the Greater Sydney Commission as recently as last month - source.

This is on top of a recent PWC report that - same source.

Sure, and there have been similar plans for Parramatta/Western Sydney to be central to the evolution of Sydney for 20-30 years. The fruits are already there, without 50+ storey residential towers, and the new plans/reports are not in dispute.

I think the need for 50+ storey residential and office towers will be proven over the next 20 years, but we can always agree to disagee.

I don't think anywhere needs 50+ storey residential towers, that building them willy nilly on a whim is a big risk, and that the risk is that Parramatta becomes ghettoised, rather "vibrant and liveable" as claimed. It is vibrant and liveable now, with exciting growth (towers aside). Happy to agree to disagree, from my vantage point in Maitland.

 

[phantom eel]

Ghetto my arse. Parramatta is already a better Metropolis than North Sydney. Not talking harbour etc, just talking about an actual business centre with proper infrastructure that isn't always in shadows like that soulless joint that North Sydney is.

Exactly, which is why it doesn't need 50+ storey residential towers... and no doubt a Baird Special 12mn Curfew once there's that many people living on top of each other and any street violence ensues.