Cancer centre can be built without towers

26 August 2009

"The proposed Garvan Cancer Centre and University of NSW Virology Centre can be built without significantly impacting on residents' amenity, particularly overshadowing and traffic flow, or destroying Darlinghurst's heritage streetscape," Sydney's Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said. 

The City of Sydney has submitted an alternate plan for the proposed centres, which is based on the original proposed 2005 masterplan developed by St Vincent's. 

A key element of the City's proposal is locating the proposed UNSW Virology Centre on the existing UNSW campus in Kensington.  This would allow the Garvan Cancer Centre to operate on the new Darlinghurst site on its own in the two new proposed buildings - which would be appropriately sized and scaled for the area.

"The area simply can't handle the scale of development proposed by having both centres on the same site without destroying Darlinghurst's amenity and character," Ms Moore said.

"As the Virology Centre is a research centre, it does not need to be located within the hospital precinct on the same site as the cancer centre.

"I support the work of St Vincent's, the Garvan Institute and UNSW and the general intent of their proposal, but the City's alternate plan meets the needs of the Garvan Institute and protects residents' amenity and the area's vitality, history and heritage.

"The current proposal is inconsistent with the 2005 Master Plan and analysis for the precinct. It will bury and overshadow the Victor Chang Institute and destroy the scale of Victoria Street. Buildings will block afternoon sun from local terrace houses and morning sun from Green Park."

Other features of the City's alternate proposal include:

• Reducing the height and bulk of the proposed buildings, with the existing Victor Chang building to be the tallest on the site, and others "stepping up" to it;
• Maintaining access to the site via Liverpool Street, not West Avenue, which would discourage congestion and dangerous traffic flows;
• A reduction in car parking to the required amount and to meet the City's parking controls based on research usage, public transport availability and the reduction in floor area;
• Implementing sustainability measures through benchmarks in environmental performance, energy and water conservation and reuse and in greenhouse gas reduction.

"Climate change is a critical issue and every new development has to include measures to limit energy consumption, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions, Ms Moore added. We would be pleased to work with St Vincent's to achieve a workable solution and to consult with affected residents."

Media Contact - Kristie Down 0488 008 261 

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