the process that parts of large settlements undergo when ... · urban renewal in pyrmont—stage...

Urban Renewal in Pyrmont—Stage six

The process that parts of large settlements undergo when they are sufficiently run-down to result in a loss of amenity and population from the immediate area or region.

Secondary program | Years 11-12 Geography stage 6

Urban Renewal

in Pyrmont

Urban Renewal in Pyrmont—Stage six 2


Maximise the experience 3

Syllabus links Stage six 4

Background information 5

A brief history of Pyrmont 10

Excursion map and worksheets 14

Contents

Urban Renewal in Pyrmont



Integrating the Ur-

ban Renewal in

Pyrmont excursion

within a teaching

unit will increase

the efficacy of the

learning experi-

ence. Please let

our office know

whether you’ve

decided to use the excursion as an introduction to the topic or as a refresher af-

ter completing the unit in class. This will help your Urban Excursions guide pitch the

program to the right level.

Maximise the experience



0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

1901 1951 1961 1981 1991 1996 2000 2006 2011

Popu

lati

on

Population Pyrmont Ultimo 1901 - 2011

Geography outcomes

Preliminary Course

8.2.3 Senior Geography Project (SGP)

P7 formulates a plan for geographical inquiry

P8 selects, organises and analyses relevant geographical information from a variety of

sources.

P9 uses maps, graphs and statistics, photographs and fieldwork to conduct geographical in-

quiries

P10 applies mathematical ideas and techniques to analyse geographical data

P11 applies geographical understanding and methods ethically and effectively to a research

project

P12 communicates geographical information, ideas and issues using appropriate written

and/or oral, cartographic and graphic forms.

HSC Course

8.3.2 Urban Places

H1 explains the changing nature, spatial patterns and interactions of ecosystems, urban

places and economic activity.

H3 analyses contemporary urban dynamics and applies them in specific contexts.

H5 evaluates environmental management strategies in terms of environmental change.

H6 evaluates the impacts of, and responses of people to environmental change.

H12 explains geographical patterns, processes and future trends through appropriate cases

studies and illustrative examples.

SYLLABUS LINKS: STAGE 6

The Urban Renewal in Pyrmont excursion provides effective practical links with the NSW Board

of Studies Stage 6 Geography syllabus.



BACKGROUND INFORMATION

What is urban renewal?

An area or region within a larger settlement may suffer depopulation and/or loss of amen-

ity when existing housing, industry and infrastructure become run-down. Urban renewal is

the process by which these negative trends are reversed. By revitalising the housing

stock, industry and infrastructure, either through a program of rebuilding, refurbishment

or reuse, an area’s amenity and population density can be improved.

Urban renewal can happen incrementally but is usually controlled and managed by regula-

tory bodies – such as government departments – that abide by statutory laws, regulations

and policies. This ensures that the process of urban renewal is managed in a planned and

systematic manner to realise broader economic and social improvement.

Planning framework in NSW

Governments and legislative assemblies control planning in Australian states and territo-

ries. Each region has different planning laws. In New South Wales planning is regulated by

the ‘Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979’ or EPAA 1979. The EPAA 1979

aims to improve the quality of life for the people of New South Wales through quality ur-

ban planning that promotes economic development, opens up public spaces and commu-

nity facilities, and conserves natural environments for future generations. Department of

Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (formerly Planning NSW) responsible for

the ratification of planning instruments formulated under the EPAA. However, there are a

number of different levels of plan making. New developments within the state must gener-

ally comply with all applicable plans, from State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs)

to Regional Environmental Plans (REPs) and Local Environmental Plans (LEPs).



Regional Environmental Plans (REPs)

REPs deal with issues of regional importance such as the protection of a river catchment

area or the provision of a public transport system. They give local governments a

framework for detailed local planning. REPs often apply to large areas (such as the

North Coast or Hunter Regions of NSW), but can also relate to small sites of regional

significance, such as Homebush Bay or Walsh Bay.

An REP is proposed either by the Minister or the Director General for Department of In-

frastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (formerly Planning NSW). The Department

carries out a regional environmental study of the area, investigating topics such as en-

vironmental conservation, housing and settlement, and suitable infrastructure for in-

dustry. Once again, members of the public are usually invited to comment on the draft

REP. With the Minister’s approval, the plan becomes law and is published in the Govern-

ment Gazette.

State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs)

SEPPs deal with important statewide issues, such as protecting important rainforest areas

and encouraging employment-generating developments. SEPPs provide plans for signifi-

cant projects in specific locations or are related to particular issues – such as SEPP 19: Ur-

ban Bushland – ensuring that state government policies are carried out uniformly through-

out the state. SEPPs are guidelines for specific issues that are significant to the state. An

idea for a SEPP is proposed either by the Minister or the Director General for Department

of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (formerly Planning NSW). The Depart-

ment prepares a draft for the Minister’s consideration, and usually invites public comment

on the proposals that are incorporated into the second draft. With the Minister’s and the

State Governor’s approval, the planning policy becomes law and is published in the Gov-



Masterplans

Another form of planning instrument is known as a Masterplan. Unlike SEPPs, REPs and

LEPs, Masterplans are not legal planning instruments but provide details of the preferred

type, scale and form of development for large areas of land that fall within the scope of a

Regional Environmental Plan. Masterplans establish broad planning criteria for factors such

as amenity, environment, heritage, culture, employment and community sustainability.

They also ensure that a balance of land use occurs between residential, commercial and

open spaces. Masterplans were vital to the urban consolidation process undertaken by the

City West Development Corporation and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority in the

Pyrmont-Ultimo precinct, among others.

Local Environmental Plans (LEPs)

LEPs are prepared by local governments to guide planning decisions within their areas. LEPs

allow Councils to supervise the manner in which land is used, provide specific and more

comprehensive planning policies for individual types of development and ensure that local

heritage and environmentally sensitive areas are conserved. An LEP is proposed either by

the local Council or the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning. The Council then conducts a

Local Environmental Study (LES) that allows it to identify and focus on important environ-

mental issues that must be considered in the draft LEP. Assisted by general directives from

the Minister, the Council prepares a draft plan for exhibition and comment by the commu-

nity. After considering community feedback, the LEP is submitted to the Minister before it

becomes law and is published in the Government Gazette.



The planning policy instrumental in the revitalization of Pyrmont

Key components of Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 26 – City West The

revitalization of the Pyrmont-Ultimo precinct fell within the guidelines of a wider Regional

Environmental Plan called the Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No 26 – City West

(SREP 26). In turn, SREP 26 was governed by the principles expressed in the Environ-

mental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

SREP 26 was first gazetted in 1992. It was reprinted in 1995 to include several amend-

ments. Since being reprinted, it has been revised and amended again in 1995, 1997 and

1999. SREP 26 covered a 300 hectare area adjacent to Sydney’s CBD. Its original intent

was to revitalise and create four precincts, namely:

the Pyrmont-Ultimo precinct

the Bays precinct (including Glebe Island, White Bay, Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle

Bay)

the Eveleigh precinct (that became the Australian Technology Park)

the Central Railway precinct.



Management of the urban renewal program in Pyrmont

Various government bodies have been responsible for the management of urban renewal

programs in diverse parts of Sydney. For example, the Sydney Cove Authority once man-

aged the historic harbourside precinct of The Rocks and the South Sydney Development at

Green Square. Such management bodies have changed through time – some have run

their legislative course and have been disbanded while others have coalesced to form lar-

ger organisations. Two organisations – the City West Development Corporation and Syd-

ney Harbour Foreshore Authority – have been instrumental in managing the program of

urban renewal for the Pyrmont-Ultimo peninsula.

City West Development Corporation (CWDC)

The City West Development Corporation was constituted by the NSW Government in

1992, to manage government-owned land and to oversee the revitalisation and redevelop-

ment of the City West region – a 300-hectare area adjacent to Sydney’s CBD comprising

four precincts: 8rmont Point Park on the

the Pyrmont-Ultimo peninsula

the Bays precinct (including Glebe Island, White Bay, Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay)

Central Railway

Eveleigh.

The Corporation’s business was to: manage government land holdings manage the provi-

sion of infrastructure promote and encourage orderly economic development and invest-

ment, in line with government’s social and environmental objectives. CWDC was funded

from 1992/93 to 1995/96 under the joint Commonwealth and State Governments’ Build-

ing Better Cities Program.

The original design “Urban Design Strategy for the Ultimo-Pyrmont Masterplan Areas” was de-

veloped by Edward Alexander and Jan McCredie who aimed to create a unified urban con-

cept for the whole peninsula.

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA)

SHFA was established in 1999, under the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Act 1998

and became incorporated in January 2001. It took over the functions of the City West

Development Corporation until near completion of the project December in 2005. At that

time City of Sydney became the consent authority for the area.



A brief history of Pyrmont More than 200 hundred years ago, Pyrmont was an unspoilt

peninsula covered in natural bushland and inhabited by native animals such as dingoes.or

thousands of years, groups of Indigenous people from the Eora language group visited the

peninsula as they followed seasonal gluts of food.

In 1788, the first Europeans created a settlement in War’rang now known as Sydney

Cove. As the European population expanded they spread out into nearby bushland areas.

The first Pyrmont land grant was made to a soldier called Thomas Jones in 1795. In 1799,

this land was sold to John Macarthur – a member of the NSW Corps – and he built a salt-

making works there and a grain-grinding windmill. In 1834 Macarthur died and his land

was subdivided and sold off by his son, Edward. The new owners built houses from local

sandstone and the first

industries such as quar-

rying, boat building and

timber milling began to

develop, however, it was

the building of the first

Pyrmont Bridge in 1858

that really encouraged

Pyrmont to boom. The

bridge provided easy ac-

cess between the city

and the peninsula, en-

couraging more busi-

nesses and people to

move there Pyrmont from City showing first bridge Circa 1890’s

Industry

The development of Pyrmont and Ultimo was in many ways typical of early nineteenth

century industrial suburbs prior to the development of transport networks except they

were occurring in the mid to late nineteenth century. The workers had to live in close

proximity to their place of work because it was too expensive to travel to work on public

transport or too far to walk. Thus we see in Pyrmont and Ultimo the development of resi-

dential accommodation and industrial complexes in close proximity to each other in the

closing decades of the nineteenth century.

One of the earliest industries to establish itself in Pyrmont was there by 1846 when the

Hunter River Company (later part of ASN) built a shipyard. John Fyfe and Son opened up

a foundry in 1855. This was more than ten years after the Chowne Brothers set up their

shipyard. A small group of houses were built along Chowne Street following the establish-

ment of the Chowne Brothers shipyard.

The increasing population required the provision of services. The first post office was

opened in 1853 and in 1858 the suburb was linked to the eastern side of Darling Harbour

by a bridge.



The first street lighting was installed in the early 1860s and a twelve inch water pipe was

laid in Harris Street in 1861 although it was not until the mid 1870s that reticulated water

was generally available in Pyrmont and Ultimo. Sewerage was still not available in 1875.

Some local families such as the Saunders and McCredies did well. Charles Saunders

started quarrying on Harris’ land soon after his arrival in the colony in 1853, although in

the later 1850s he is listed

in Sands Directory as licen-

see of the Quarryman’s

Arms on the corner of John

and Mount Streets. The de-

mand for Pyrmont stone

meant that he took out a

quarrying lease from

George Harris in 1860 and

started an operation which

would stretch round to

Johnstons Bay and the

family wharf.

Saunder’s quarry supplied

stone for the construction

of the University of Sydney

and the GPO amongst

many others. The Harris

family required their quar-

rymasters, as a condition

of their leases, to use some

of the stone to erect new

houses, which the family

could then rent out. The

houses were to be built to certain specifications, which at times even stipulated the num-

ber of coats of paint to be applied.

Pyrmont Quarry Sydney - by A Tischbauer C 1880-1895

The McCredies consisted of various brothers who worked mainly as builders. They were

involved in the construction of the new Colonial Secretary’s building and the Pitt Street

extension of the General Post Office in the 1880s. They had a stone yard in Bowman

Street immediately adjacent to the archaeological excavations in Area C Area C was lo-

cated on McCredie Street, later Harvey Street. Members of this family had lived in a

house in the study area but by 1860 they had moved into Bowman Street around the

corner, although a McCredie continued to own the head lease at no. 1 Harvey Street un-

til the twentieth century. In 1867 the City Iron Works, run by the Brown brothers, set up

its operation overlooking Elizabeth Bay.



By the 1880s Robert Saunders operated large quarries in the northern part of the penin-

sula. He invested heavily in capital equipment such as cranes and steam cutting equip-

ment. The McCredie Brothers were doing well enough to win the £130,000 construction of

the Pitt Street extension of the GPO.

The 1880s witnessed the construction of twenty woolstores in Ultimo, the first being the

Goldsbrough Mort Woolstore in 1883. It was soon followed by a large grain and produce

store. These changes were responses to the development of nearby wharves and a goods

rail line through Pyrmont-Ultimo which were necessary for the booming export primary in-

dustries of the 1870s and 1880s.

In 1875 the Colonial Sugar Refinery (CSR), their operation in Chippendale no longer viable

due to pollution concerns, bought up five acres of Pyrmont, mostly by purchasing a lease

from William Chowne.

The new site had a deep-water frontage and the company could have its own wharves. It

was built of locally quarried sandstone and cost £200,000. There were few nearby resi-

dents to be affected by the various noxious odours emitted by the re-fining processes.

By 1877 the Australian Tin Smelting Company set up operations at the end of Chowne

Street on the western side of the CSR works. New industrial plants were opening through-

out Pyrmont.



The deindustrialisation of the

eastern side of Darling Har-

bour was responsible for the

establishment of many indus-

tries in Ultimo and Pyrmont.

Aside from the large indus-

trial complexes the 1880s

saw the development of

smaller scale industries which

serviced the large industries,

such as iron foundries. All this

development tended to push

out any remnant dairies or

agricultural practices which

were part of the early occu-

pation of Pyrmont and Ultimo,

as did the rise of refrigerated

dairies. There were two dair-

ies within the CSR site, one of

which was excavated athough

few archaeological remains

were found. These two dairies

survived into the early twen-

tieth century.

The population of the peninsula peaked in

the late 19th and early 20th centuries with a

combined resident and itinerant population

of approximately 30,000. At this time, thou-

sands of people were employed on the

wharves, in wool stores and in the Colonial

Sugar Refining Company (CSR). However,

as time passed and economic and industrial

needs changed, the availability of good

quality housing decreased and population

numbers began to fall. By 1981 there were

only 1,590 people living on the peninsula.

Since 1994, the urban renewal process in

Pyrmont has transformed the suburb from

one of Australia’s most significant examples

of urban decay to the most densely popu-

lated area in Australia.



EXCURSION MAPPING:

With your Urban Excursions guide, map out the route your group will walk during today’s excursion.



EXCURSIONS WORKSHEET 1:

Building Original function Function today

Adaptive reuse and heritage fabric



EXCURSION WORKSHEET 2:



Urban Decay Urban Renewal Heritage fabric Transport

infrastructure

Urban consolidation Community

facilities

Evidence of social

equity


Standing on the corner of Harris and John Streets, identify as many features of the built

environment as possible and label them on the map below. With your Urban Excursions

guide, develop a hypotheses on why the various urban processes are evident in the

landscape.




Land use transect

With the assistance of your guide, gather data on land use in areas one and two.

Compare the two areas and list reasons for differentiating land use.

the process that parts of large settlements undergo when ... · urban renewal in pyrmont—stage...

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