social impact analysis of the proposed increase in

Social Impact Analysis of the Proposed Increase in Operating

Hours for the CSI Club, Schofields

FINAL – Prepared for DDC Urban Planning by PPM Consulting

Date: 16 March 2021

COMMERCIAL – IN – CONFIDENCE

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Social Impact Analysis of the Proposed Increase in Operating Hours, CSI Club, Schofields

Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 3

Potential Social Impacts of the Proposal ...................................................................................... 5

Proposed Mitigation Measures .................................................................................................. 18

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 19

About PPM Consulting ................................................................................................................ 20

Disclaimer ................................................................................................................................... 21


Introduction PPM Consulting has been commissioned by DDC Urban Planning to undertake this study into the social impacts of the proposed increase in operating hours of the CSI Club in Schofields. The goal of this report is to provide advice on the social impacts of the proposal and strategies to mitigate negative impacts. We have been advised that the sequence of historic approvals for the site were:

• 24 October 1977 – Consent was issued under the Blacktown Planning Scheme Ordinance,

for a “Social Club”.

• 2 April 1987 – Consent was issued for “alterations to existing club (Chapel, Change Rooms,

Cover Bocci Court)” (DA – 87 – 114).

• 4 February 1998 – Consent was issued to change the use of existing Italian Social Club/

Hall used by the Centro Sociale Italiano Club to a Registered Club (DA – 97 – 5228,

Determination No. 15631).

• 25 November 1999 – S.96 Modification issued to expand the trading hours to include

Monday – Wednesday trading.

• 4 July 2008 – Consent was issued to use the Club as a “Place of Public Entertainment” (DA

– 08 – 1611), however this consent lapsed.

Figure 1 shows the site (marked in red) along with the zoning. The property is described as 81 South St, Schofields 2762, being Lot 103 DP 1207777. The site currently contains the Club buildings with an adjoining soccer field. Figure 1: Location of the CSI Club

Source: Six maps, NSW Government


The site is on South Street between Richmond Road and the railway line. It is in a semi-rural locality with many large lots and undeveloped land nearby. The property is about 2.2km from Schofields Railway Station.

Figure 2 shows the front entrance to the club, including the car park, taken from South Street.

Figure 2: Site picture from South Street

Source: DDC Planning

There is no proposal for new building work at this time. The proposal is to extend the trading hours to allow for day trading.


Potential Social Impacts of the Proposal The CSI Club, at 81 South Street, Schofields, is a services club established by small group of

Italian migrants in 1979. CSI stands for Centro Sociale Italiano, simply translated, a social

meeting place for Italians.

Council requires a Social Impact Comment (SIC), which is a basic level of social impact

assessment on proposals that are unlikely to result in significant social impact or is of a scale

that does not warrant a comprehensive analysis by a suitably qualified expert or practitioner.

The issue to which this Social Impact Comment pertains is the change in trading hours. Table 1

shows the current and proposed trading hours. As can be seen, the night time trading hours

will remain the same (except for Sundays, extended to 10pm), but the day time trading hours

will commence at 9am instead of in the early evening (and Sunday mid-afternoon).

The CSI Club is a fully licensed club that serves alcohol. The license is unrestricted.

The capacity of the club is 275 persons. It is not proposed to change this.

Table 1: Current and Proposed Trading Hours

Current Trading Hours (DA-97-5228-S96 Modification)

New Proposed

Monday 5:00pm - 12 midnight 9:00am - 12 midnight Tuesday 5:00pm - 12 midnight 9:00am - 12 midnight Wednesday 5:00pm - 12 midnight 9:00am - 12 midnight Thursday 5:00pm - 12 midnight 9:00am - 12 midnight Friday 7:30pm - 12 midnight 9:00am - 12 midnight Saturday 6:30pm - 1:30am 9:00am - 1:30am Sunday 2:00pm - 7:00pm 9:00am - 10:00pm

Source: CSI Club

We understand that the trading hours have traditionally been those that are proposed, but

with the lapsed DA, only the current trading hours are allowed, which restricts day time

trading. The new proposed trading hours will bring the CSI Club back to its traditional (and

intended) trading hours.


Social Condition/Impact Likely to result from the proposed development (Yes/No/NA)

Type of Social Impact (Positive/Negative)

Level of impact (High/Medium/Low)

Comments

Demographic change

Changing community needs and expectations Yes Positive Low The change to hours of operation will allow the club to cater to members and the community during the day.

Significant population changes and/or growth forecasts Yes Positive Low Schofields is growing rapidly and the change to allow the CSI Club to operate during the day will allow it to cater to a broader cross-section of this growing community.

Impact to, but not limited to, age, ethnicity, housing, education and socioeconomic status.

Yes Positive Low The CSI Club will be able to cater to its members, and new members, and the community more broadly, during the day under the new operating hours. This will benefit older members of the community and members of the Italian community, who are predominantly the members of the CSI Club. Many elderly people are unable to go out at night, and with the loss of day time trading at the Club, could have become more socially isolated as a result. The return to day trading at the Club is likely to reduce social isolation for the Club’s older members.





Comments

Housing and accommodation

Affordable and/or low-income housing provision N/A None None N/A

Provision of housing for special needs groups, including property service and management (e.g. older people and people with disability

N/A None None N/A

Needs of older people and people with disability

Physical access to existing services, facilities and transport within 400-500 metre/ 5-10 mins walking radius (e.g. wheelchair access)

N/A None None N/A

Availability of community support services Yes Positive Low The change of hours will allow the club to provide services during the day.

Distance from primary health care services N/A None None N/A

Clear and easy to understand signage N/A None None N/A

Road safety N/A None None N/A





Comments

Needs of children and young people

Physical access to existing services, facilities and transport within 400-500 metre/ 5-10 mins walking radius

N/A None None N/A

Personal safety N/A None None N/A

Road safety N/A None None N/A

Restricted use development N/A None None N/A

Demand and access to child care Yes Positive Low The change to trading hours to allow for day time trading will allow the club to provide services to families during the day.

Child friendly design N/A None None N/A

Clear and easy to understand signage N/A None None N/A





Comments

Cultural wellbeing

Needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities (communications, translations, signage)

Yes Positive Low The CSI Club caters to the Italian community. Day time trading will allow it to provide more services to its community.

Needs of refugees (housing, services) N/A None None N/A

Needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (significant population or site)

N/A None None N/A

Impact on religious needs and values (including and new and emerging communities)

N/A None None N/A

Impact on cultural heritage values and/or local landmarks Yes Positive Low The CSI Club is part of the cultural landscape of Schofields. Increasing its trading hours to allow day trading will return it to its traditional role in the community.





Comments

Community safety

Surveillance and sightlines Yes Positive Low Restricting the CSI Club to only operate at night decreases the safety of patrons and residents in the area as there is more opportunity to vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the Club during the day. Allowing day trading increases surveillance and lowers the risk of anti-social behaviour in the area.

Safe movement and access N/A None None N/A

Overall design and legibility N/A None None N/A

Clear definition of ownership/boundaries N/A None None N/A

Activity mix and generation Yes Positive Low Allowing day trading will allow the CSI Club to increase the number and mix of activities provided to the community. It will allow the Club to provide those services during the day, whereas at the moment, these services can only be provided at night.

Concealment reduction N/A None None N/A

Safe building design N/A None None N/A

Adequate and integrated lighting N/A None None N/A





Comments

Appropriate signage and symbolism N/A None None N/A

Landscaping/fencing N/A None None N/A

Appropriate streetscape N/A None None N/A

Community perception of risk Yes Positive Low The change to trading hours to allow the CSI Club to operate during the day will decrease the perception of risk in the community, as the Club being closed during the day allows for an increase in vandalism and other anti-social behaviour around the area.

Enhanced safety for women N/A None None N/A

A CPTED assessment addressing local crime N/A None None N/A





Comments

Community cohesion and values

Community identity Yes Positive Low The members and local Italian community identify with the CSI Club. Longer trading hours will allow it to better cater to its members

Displacement or relocation concerns N/A None None N/A

Social equity N/A None None N/A

Community connectivity and/or cohesion Yes Positive Low The members and local Italian community identify with the CSI Club. Longer trading hours will allow it to better cater to its members

Community severance N/A None None N/A

Residential amenity and quality of life Yes Negative Very Low The Club already operates at night. There may be some increased daytime traffic and parking around the Club during the daytime trading hours, but this is likely to be negligible.

Appropriate community mechanisms used for community consultation

Yes Neutral None We understand that appropriate community consultation has been undertaken on behalf of the CSI Club and this feedback has been reflected in the SEE and proposed hours of operation.

Interaction between development and existing community Yes Neutral None Increased operating hours will allow the Club to integrate better with the community and provide more services for longer hours.





Comments

Community facilities

Demand and need for community facilities and services (e.g. churches, halls, community and health services, schools, shops, parks, playgrounds, public transport)

Yes Positive Low Increased operating hours will allow the Club to integrate better with the community and provide more services for longer hours.

Demand and need for recreational facilities (e.g. sports clubs, recreation centres)

Yes Positive Low There are very few social clubs in operation in the vicinity of the CSI Club. The Club operates as a place for its members and the wider community for recreation, sport and leisure.

Demand and need for State government facilities (e.g. health, education, policing).

No Neutral N/A N/A

Provision of accessible open space N/A None None N/A





Comments

Healthy and active living

Health effects of air, noise and water quality Yes Negative Low There may be some additional noise associated with traffic accessing the Club during the day, but this is likely to be no higher than background traffic noise. The existing consent provides conditions relating to noise which remain in place for the use of the site.

Toxic wastes and hazardous chemicals N/A None None N/A

Physical access to healthy food through conventional food systems within 400-500 metre/ 5-10 mins walking radius (e.g. supermarkets)

N/A None None N/A

Physical access to healthy food through alternative food systems within 400-500 metre/ 5-10 mins walking radius (e.g. community gardens, farmers’ markets)

N/A None None N/A

Physical access to public transport within 400-500 metre/ 5-10 mins walking radius

N/A None None N/A

High connected cycling and walking networks to encourage active transport

N/A None None N/A

Public spaces to encourage physical activity N/A None None N/A

Private vehicle ownership N/A None None N/A

Mixed land use and densities N/A None None N/A





Comments

Economic issues

Local employment generation Yes Positive Low Additional trading hours is likely to mean an additional requirement for workers at the CSI Club, which, in turn, is likely to increase local employment.

Unemployment No Positive Low Increased employment is unlikely to have a noticeable effect on the unemployment rate for the region.

Business development N/A None None N/A

Employment mix N/A None None N/A





Comments

Controversial social impact assessment or sensitive developments, presence of any of the following:

Brothels N/A None None N/A

Clubs/Hotels/Taverns Yes Positive Low The increased trading hours will allow the club to service its members and the community during the day.

Retail liquor N/A None None N/A

Tattoo parlours N/A None None N/A

Gaming machines N/A None None N/A

Restricted premises N/A None None N/A

Harm minimisation services N/A None None N/A

State significant development N/A None None N/A





Comments

Cumulative and intergenerational impacts

Redundant facilities and possible reuse N/A None None N/A

Effects of similar types of development in the locality N/A None None N/A

Implementation of sustainable development principles N/A None None N/A


Proposed Mitigation Measures

The negative social impacts of the proposed changes to the trading hours for the CSI Club are

negligible, and are offset by small positive social impacts. Therefore, we do not propose that

the CSI Club be required to mitigate any of the negative social impacts that result from the

increase in trading hours.


Conclusion

The proposal aims to expand the trading hours for the existing use of the CSI Club in

Schofields.

This report provides an assessment of the social impacts on the local area, the community and

Club members.

We believe that there are very few negative impacts, none of which will have anything other

than a low impact. We do not believe that the CSI Club should be required to implement any

measures to mitigate against these impacts. Indeed, the existing consent provides conditions

relating to noise which remain in place for the use of the site.

A net community benefit arises where the sum of all the benefits of a development outweighs

the sum of all costs. This assessment of social impact is consistent with historic criteria for a

Net Community Benefit used by the former Department of Planning.

Based on the assessment to the evaluation criteria in this report, the proposed changes to the

hours of operation show that the positive impacts outweigh the negative impacts. Overall, on

this basis the extended operating hours will produce a net community benefit.


About PPM Consulting PPM Consulting is a highly experienced and skilled economics and strategic advice consultancy. PPM Consulting brings strong analytical abilities, and is able to help clients by putting analysis into broader contexts, assessing risk and building a case for change. We have a keen understanding of the policy environment and the consequences of change and have shown an advanced level of ability in delivering results. PPM Consulting consults to a wide range of industries, including the property development, retail and gaming sectors. PPM Consulting brings a wealth of experience, including staff with experience in:

• designing, implementing and analysing economic impact assessments and cost-benefit

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• providing strategic advice for conferences and events.

PPM Consulting can manage complex major projects, ensuring delivery within budget and timeframes. PPM Consulting prides itself on its ability to work with clients to get the best results possible. The Director and Principal, Martin Musgrave, holds an honours degree in economics with 25 years of experience in government across a wide range of sectors in a number of jurisdictions. Martin is a highly experienced public policy professional, specialising in economic analysis, policy development and leadership, advocacy, and government relations. He is considered a highly skilled economist and policy professional who always acts with integrity. Martin Musgrave has been a valued senior contributor for the following organisations:

• Yarra Valley Water

• the Department of Planning and Environment

• the Urban Development Institute of Australia (National and Victorian Division)

• the Property Council of Australia (Residential Development Council)

• the Large Format Retail Association

• the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria)

• the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

• the Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) (now known as RMS)

• the Hunter Valley Research Foundation (now known as the Hunter Research Foundation)


Disclaimer This report is for the confidential use only of the party to whom it is addressed (“the Client”) for the specific purposes to which it refers and has been based on, and takes into account, the Client’s specific instructions. It is not intended to be relied on by any third party who must make their own enquiries in relation to the issues with which this report deals. PPM Consulting makes no representations as to the appropriateness, accuracy or completeness of this report for the purpose of any party other than the Client and disclaims all liability to any recipient other than the Client for any loss, error or other consequence which may arise as a result of acting, relying upon or using the whole or part of this report. This report must not be disclosed to any third party or reproduced in whole or in part, for any purpose not directly connected to the project for which PPM Consulting was engaged to prepare the report, without the prior written approval of PPM Consulting. In the event that a third party wishes to rely upon this report, the third party must inform PPM Consulting who may, in its sole discretion and on specified terms, provide its consent. PPM Holdings Pty Ltd (trading as PPM Consulting) retains copyright of this document from the date on the title page.

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