It's victory....for now

Erskineville residents’ celebratory champagne has been put on hold this week following Woolworths decision to appeal a defeated development application for a supermarket complex on Erskineville Road.

The developer Harold Finger and Woolworths, Australia’s largest supermarket operator, lodged the Class 1 appeal in the Land and Environment Court on Monday after City of Sydney Council rejected their proposed multi-level supermarket at the “Hive” site.

Council rejected the $6.7 million development in May, stating it did not comply with the city’s planning controls and the village character of the area.

Community action group Village Friends ran a nine-month grassroots campaign opposing the supermarket development application.  They collected in excess of 4000 signatures petitioning the development and held community events to encourage consultation.

Local residents opposed the development fearing increased traffic congestion and the impact on local businesses on the Erskineville Village shopping strip.

Erskineville resident and local business owner Mark Ambrose said the new supermarket would ruin the village atmosphere of the suburb and negatively impact those who make their living in Erskineville and Newtown.  “People live in this area because they love the community village we have here and a big Woolworths complex would take much of that away,” he said.

Village Friends supports a commercially viable redevelopment of the Erskineville Road site, but opposes any plans that do not enhance the village life of Erskineville residents.

Due to the intense public concern over the case, Woolworth’s appeal has been referred for preliminary case management before a Commissioner of the Land and Environment Court.  This process will commence on August 8.

Woolworths declined to comment on the appeal.

Residents can voice their concerns and support by signing up to Village friends website.

For now, our Erskineville neighbours will have to keep their champagne victory on ice.