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‘Build a Bridge’ Launched in Response to Plans for Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct

Community groups Alexandria Residents Action Group, REDWatch, and Friends of Erskineville have joined forces to propose a bridge that will connect North to South Eveleigh over the train tracks of the Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct.

Read: Proposal To Privatise Public Housing At Waterloo South Draws Ire Of Locals

The petition, called “Build a Bridge” serves as the locals’ response to the NSW Government’s plans to transform the Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct, into a ‘great new place for Sydney.’

“For a long time a bridge has been proposed in planning for North Eveleigh to remedy this, and we believe that with Transport for NSW reviewing plans for this site the time has come to build it,” the petition reads.

The groups agreed that there’s a need for an active transport corridor to connect Waterloo Metro, Alexandria and South Eveleigh on one side, to Carriageworks, North Eveleigh, Darlington and Sydney University on the other.

“The number of people living and working in and around the rail corridor from Redfern to Erskineville is growing rapidly. Along with that goes more walking and cycling – healthy modes of transport we all want to encourage.”

Artist’s impression of Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct (Photo credit: planning.nsw.gov.au)

“One problem though is the great length of the corridor, requiring very long journeys around the perimeter,” they said.

“We therefore call upon the Minister for Transport to approve the construction of this bridge as a matter of priority,” community groups wrote in their campaign.

A spokesperson from Friends of Erskineville said the bridge could turn a 20-minute commute into two minutes, highlighting the importance of connectin over the train tracks.

Plans for Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct

The 10-hectare Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct comprises three sub-precincts named after heritage buildings on the site:

The Clothing Store Sub-Precinct – it will have a residential character that is integrated with community uses to create a vibrant inner-city place designed for living.
The Carriageworks Sub-Precinct – there will be adaptive re-use of Carriageworks, and will form the cultural heart of the Precinct.
The Paint Shop Sub-Precinct – adjacent to Redfern Station, it will connect to its surrounds through the new Southern Concourse. The iconic Paint Shop building will be reused and the sub-precinct will feature innovative office spaces, residential, retail and community uses, open urban spaces and parks.

Read: Major Redevelopment of Cathedral on Cleveland Street in Redfern Approved

This marks the first time that the government opened up the precinct to the general public in about 100 years.

The project is expected to create up to 6,200 new jobs in innovative, commercial, and creative sectors.

Excitement Brews in South Eveleigh with the Arrival of BrewDog

Excitement’s a-brewin’ at South Eveleigh, soon to be the home of the fourth Australian venue of the world’s largest craft beer brand, BrewDog.

The Scottish craft beer brewery and bar chain, which has been expanding across the world, has started the construction of its newest site in South Eveleigh, its first in NSW, since August 2022.

The $3.2-million development is being built at an old locomotive workshop and is expected to open at the end of the year, just in time for summer.

Once completed, BrewDog South Eveleigh will be able to accommodate 720 patrons in its indoor dining space and bar, whilst 190 people may be able to enjoy drinks and food at the outdoor beer garden.

The bar, installed and integrated into the original workshop machinery on the site, will have about 40 brews on tap, creating a unique hangout for the customers.

Beer lovers will be offered plenty of options from BrewDog’s lineup of draught beers, as well as collaborations with other breweries. Alcohol-free options will also be on offer, alongside a collection of cocktails, ciders, spirits and wines.

Whilst diners may expect the usual pizza, burgers and wings to pair with the drinks, BrewDog South Eveleigh will also have plant-based food and two-for-one vegan pairings every Monday.

BrewDog has teamed with Australian Venue Co for the South Eveleigh venue, joining other popular bars and eateries like Re-Bar and Lucky Kwong.

“The space is truly incredible, we’re thrilled to be part of the next chapter of the historic South Eveleigh precinct,” Australian Venue Co NSW State Manager Evan Gargaro said. “The huge beer garden is going to be a hit, we can’t wait to open this venue just in time for the Sydney summer.”

In 2019, BrewDog launched its first brewery with a taproom in Murrarie, Brisbane, and its second outlet in the same city in Fortitude Valley. Just before this summer, the third venue debuted in Victoria at the Pentridge precinct.

Mum and Daughter Duo Opens NYC-Style Bagels Deli in Redfern

Instead of moving to New York, mother and daughter pair, Bernadette Sheppard and Anna Berlyn, decided to bring NYC-style bagels and lemonade to Redfern by opening the cafe, George St Deli.

Bernadette ate bagels and lemonade most of her lunchtime as a child because of her mum, Colleen, who lived in New York after World War II. The food and drink became a staple in the family that Bernadette passed on to her children when she became a mum.

Anna, who is the youngest of five kids, recalls enjoying batches of toasted bagels regularly with salmon, pastrami, and homemade cream cheese. Thus, when she and her mum planned their move to New York and had been checking Google for information, they soon found themselves shifting gears.

The mother and daughter duo realised that opening an NYC-style bagels shop, inspired by Katz’s Deli and Russ & Daughters, made the most sense, especially since Sydney is experiencing a sandwich obsession phase.

Bernadette, who also runs a real estate company, believes there is a market for American-style deli amidst heaps of Italian cafes in town. Anna said that bagels are in their blood, so opening a shop would make her grandmother mighty proud.

George St Deli opened in late August 2022, offering plain or poppy seed bagels with everything in between. Their most popular variety is the Lox Classic with pastrami, smoked trout, cream cheese, capers, tomatoes and red onion, which perfectly pairs with the homemade lemonade drinks.

For the sweet tooth, George St Deli has sweet bagels filled with Nutella, or peanut butter. The store also serves NYC-style pretzels and Jewish-style babkas for quick bites.

Brews by Will & Co Coffee and tea by Apotheca by Anthia are also on offer.

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The cafe reflects a classic New York aesthetic from the 50s and 60s with retro monochromatic decorations.

*Photo Credit: George St Deli/Instagram*

“In creating the authentic atmosphere of these New York establishments the interiors have been modelled to reflect these iconic delis. As you dine on the mouth-watering bagels, music from the 50s and 60s (think Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald) fills the space and friendly staff attend to your needs,” the duo said.

Since working at the deli, Bernadette has told her son he can take charge of the real estate business while she focuses on hospitality, as she and Anna are looking to expand George St Deli.

Follow the cafe on Instagram.

Local Groups Call For Pedestrian Bridge in Proposed North Eveleigh Redevelopment

Photo Credit: Transport for NSW / transport.nsw.gov.au

Much to the disappointment of locals, the long-awaited pedestrian bridge between Carriageworks and South Eveleigh did not find its way into the proposed North Eveleigh renewal plan, despite having the support of the City of Sydney.

The proposed Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Renewal project will see the 10-hectare site transformed into a revitalised, mixed-use precinct.

It will support the delivery of Tech Central and provide diverse housing and commercial spaces across buildings of up to 28 storeys in height. This includes 450 new homes, at least 15 per cent of which will classified as affordable housing.

The Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct comprises the Clothing Store, Carriageworks and the Paint Shop sub-precincts. The rezoning proposal for the Paint Shop Sub-Precinct went on exhibit from 26 July to 25 August 2022.

Model of the Paint Shop sub-precinct redevelopment proposal | Photo Credit: REDWatch / Facebook

Community groups REDWatch, Alexandria Residents Action Group (ARAG) and Friends of Erskineville who have long been campaigning for a bridge across the Eveleigh tracks expressed disappointment over the non-inclusion of the bridge in the redevelopment plan.

In contrast, the Central Precinct rezoning proposal has three new pedestrian and cycle connections included in the plan.

An online campaign has so far encouraged 774 people to send written letters to Active Transport Minister Rob Stokes. Despite overwhelming local support, the proposed bridge is yet to get a commitment from the state government.

“We need an active transport corridor to connect Waterloo Metro, Alexandria and South Eveleigh on one side, to Carriageworks, North Eveleigh, Darlington and Sydney University on the other.”

On 25 August 2022, the City of Sydney made a submission on the Paint Shop Sub-Precinct rezoning proposal highlighting several issues with the proposals including the lack of commitment to provide an active bridge that will connect the Sub-Precinct to the South Eveleigh.

“As expressed by the Lord Mayor in her letter to the Minister for Transport and Roads on 10 November 2021, the City wishes to collaborate with TfNSW, key stakeholders and communities to provide this essential pedestrian and cycling connection across the rail line. We also need to heal the scar of the railway which has divided suburbs,” the submission stated.

The City of Sydney added that the lack of an overbridge will result in a “physical disconnect” between the sub-precinct and the rest of the innovation precinct. Thus, it recommended the NSW Government include a “firm commitment and implementation plan” for a pedestrian/cycle bridge to link North Eveleigh to the “business and innovation activities in South Eveleigh (former Australian Technology Park) and the communities of Darlington and Chippendale with those in Erskineville, Redfern, Waterloo, and Alexandria.”

REDWatch said that a pedestrian and cycle bridge that will link the Australian Technology Park and North Eveleigh was proposed 15 years ago. The Redfern Waterloo Authority (RWA), however, withdrew the plans put forth in 2008.

REDWatch, in its submission, likewise noted that there is a single-page assessment included in the proposal’s Urban Design Study which states that “detailed consideration” of the pedestrian link between the North and South Eveleigh is outside the scope and does not have NSW Government funding.”

The Group insisted that the master plan must deliver a pedestrian bridge, whether it will be paid for by the developer or the Government. They are, therefore, recommending that TfNSW and TAHE amend the master plan and honour the “long-term commitment to the community.”

New Italian Restaurant From the ‘Don Peppino’ Team Opens at Redfern

Photo Credit: Club Fontana / Instagram

The team behind Don Peppino has found their “sweet spot” at the former home of Ron’s Upstairs on Redfern Street. True enough, this new restaurant on Redfern Street is the perfect place to “de-stress” with their Italian-inspired fare.

After closing down their pop-up restaurant Don Peppino, Daniel Johnston, Ivey Wawn and Harry Levy decided to open a permanent venue. Club Fontana is their latest venture taking residence at the former Ron’s where the crew will serve a slew of seasonal produce-driven regional dishes.

Choosing the Redfern location is something that did not just happen on a whim. The team, in fact, had always had the place on top of his mind since discovering it years ago. And so when the opportunity came, they didn’t have second thoughts about taking over the space.

Oko Olo took care of the venue’s interiors with the space also utilising some upcycled chairs from Arthur and tables courtesy of Vini. The walls, ceiling and staircase are made more appealing thanks to the artwork of Claudia Wawn.

Insalata di mare | Photo Credit: Club Fontana / Instagram

Food-wise, options include sardine meatballs, housemade focaccia, fried artichokes, ‘Nudja croquettes and balsamic bread rolls. Then enjoy their pasta selection including their signature Ceci e tria, which was a crowd favourite at Don Peppino, paccheri and fettuccine verde.

Cotoletta Milanese | Photo Credit: Club Fontana / Instagram

The mains include lamb and fish along with radicchio salad, insalata di mare and broccoli gratin. There is a small specially curated wine list where you can choose the perfect sip to cap off that perfect meal.

Here is some of what they have to say about their Club Fonta experience:

“Love this place! We visited on their second night and it was already pumping. Service was fun and personable, food was amazing and the wines were great. Definitely recommend this new gem.” – N. Redfrern

“The best meal I’ve had in ages! Fontana transports you to a tiny Italian trattoria in atmosphere and flavours. The fried artichoke was out of this world delicious. As was the house made focaccia and daily house made ricotta. We’ll be back!” – F. Robinson

I lived the retro vibe to the restaurant. The unmarked entrance, staircase and the music was great. Food was amazing and the staff were very knowledgeable Hats off to the team!!” F. Bernard

Club Fontana is located at 133A Redfern Street, Redfern. Check their website here for their hours of operation and to make reservations.

These Popular Fritters Are Now In Redfern

From their humble beginnings selling takeaway fritters in a tiny space in the CBD, Flyover Fritterie has opened a flagship store in Redfern, delighting fans of their signature pakoras also known as fritters.

Read: Lightning Strikes Twice For Redfern Family

This Indian restaurant is a haven for healthy eaters, with lots of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. Think toastie with spiced tofu, aloo tikki burger, and dosa potato jaffle (toastie with bomb peanut chutney, dosa potatoes, coconut crunch, and cashews.

Photo credit: Flyover Fritterie/Facebook

Here, pakoras or snacky fritters are made with seasonal vegetables in chickpea flour batter and served with fresh tamarind and mint chutneys.

Even the desserts are guilt-free, with choices such as rice pudding with saffron and cardamom, and warm carrot halwa (tart) with house-made khoya (dried milk solids commonly used in Indian desserts).

There are bowls to fill your soul, such as the buttery black dal khichri, a rice recipe served with extra creamy urad lentil, kidney beans and topped with crunchy cauliflower pickles, fritters and fenugreek butter.

If you’re wondering where their name came from, it’s an ode to the no-name food stands under the overpasses or flyovers of bustling Indian cities.

“Each cart sold only one kind of street food that they made best. Conversations with friends were so often about which flyover had the best food and just how delicious the food was,” the owners of the restaurant said.

“Memories were made over repeat visits and bonds were formed with people whose names we still don’t know! We set out to recreate that magic here in the heart of Redfern,” they shared.

Flyover Fritterie Redfern is open for lunch and dinner, from Tuesday to Sunday.

Developer Buys Erskineville Site for $315 Million, Aims to Deliver Over 1,000 Apartments

A massive 50,000-sqm Erskineville site has sold for $315 million and will be turned into a major inner-city development, delivering over 1,000 apartments alongside 5,000 square metres of retail space.

Coronation Property secured 56 Ashmore Street and 165-175 Mitchell Road in Erskineville, where a build-to-sell and build-to-rent housing complex will be built in the future. The site will also have a mixed-use development comprising specialty boutique stores, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants, green spaces, and pedestrian pathways.

The properties, located four kilometres from Sydney CBD, is currently an industrial site but it will become part of the future stages of the masterplanned Park Sydney project with Greenland Golden Horse, transforming precincts in Alexandria, Waterloo and Sydney Park. The location is also 650 metres away from Erskineville Station, roughly a 12-minute journey from the CBD.

Coronation Property Managing Director Joseph Nahas said they will focus on providing quality design and premium amenities for this development to “elevate the living experience” of future residents.

Nahas added that they are looking forward to becoming the “neighbourhood connecter” in the urban renewal of Erskineville.

The company’s growing portfolio consists of major mixed-use projects in Sydney, including Ashbury Terraces in Ashbury, Charlie Parker in Harris Park, and Mason & Main in Merrylands. Coronation Property has also recently acquired a mixed-use residential site in Chatswood.

Its purchase of the Erskineville location is part of its goal to secure established high-performing markets.

Plans To Redevelop Redfern’s Paint Shop Precinct Revealed

Photo Credit: NSW Government / caportal.com.au/tfnsw/redfern-north-eveleigh/virtual

The Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct is set to be transformed into a vibrant mixed-use space including some 450 new homes to be built across 16 new and refurbished buildings of up to 28 storeys high at the 6,000sqm Paint Shop precinct.

The Paint Shop, named after the 135-year-old red brick workshop where trains were used to be overhauled up until 1988, is one of the three sub-precincts of Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct (the Clothing Store and the Carriageworks being the other two sub-precincts).

More than a century of being off-limits to the general public, the 10ha Redfern-North Eveleigh will see its disused rail yard turned into a mixed-use precinct. Under the proposal, the site’s heritage buildings including the 6,000sqm former workshop will undergo restoration and adaptive reuse providing diverse housing and commercial spaces across buildings ranging from three to 28 storeys in height along with a new 14,000sqm public space.

There will be about 30 per cent diverse housing planned for the site, of which half will be made available as affordable housing. Whilst the planned public space will include a new public square fronting Wilson Street and another near Carriageworks and the Paint Shop, and a public parkland near Chief Mechanical Engineer’s building.

Illustrative concept of a view from Wilson Street into Precinct / Photo Credit: NSW Government / caportal.com.au/tfnsw/redfern-north-eveleigh/virtual

“Just as we’ve seen at Carriageworks, this plan will celebrate Redfern’s deep indigenous connection and industrial past while creating a new precinct that accommodates people to live and work in the inner city,” Minister for Cities Rob Stokes said.

Illustrative concept of the retail arcade leading into new open space at the Paint Shop — *Illustrative concept of* the retail arcade leading into new open space | Photo Credit: NSW Government / caportal.com.au/tfnsw/redfern-north-eveleigh/virtual

“We’ve set a historic target of 30 per cent diverse housing, half of which must be social and affordable housing, which is triple the Greater Cities Commission’s baseline target.

“The Paint Shop building provides an incredible canvas to re-imagine Redfern-North Eveleigh into a thriving place in the heart of the inner city.”

Illustrative concept of the new open space fronting Wilson Street at the Paint Shop — *Illustrative concept of the new open space fronting Wilson Street | Photo Credit: NSW Government / caportal.com.au/tfnsw/redfern-north-eveleigh/virtual*

The Paint Shop sub-precinct is envisioned to be a gateway to Sydney’s Tech Central precinct which stretches from Central Station to Haymarket. The project will support more than 8,000 jobs during its construction and more than 16,000 direct and indirect jobs once completed and activated.

Illustrative concept of the new events and open space at the Paint Shop — *Illustrative concept of the* new events and open space | Photo Credit: NSW Government / caportal.com.au/tfnsw/redfern-north-eveleigh/virtual

“The revitalisation of the area around Redfern Station will be complemented by the upcoming plans to redevelop the area around Central Station, bookending Tech Central with two world-class precincts and transport hubs,” Mr Stokes added.

“There will be dedicated spaces for startup businesses and better active transport connections between Redfern Station, North Eveleigh and to the bike network.

The State Government will work with the site owner, Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE), to deliver the project. The rezoning proposal is now on exhibition for public comment until 25 August 2022.

To view the reports and master plan and make a submission, visit the Virtual Engagement Room.

The Evolution of Fitzroy Terrace on Pitt St, Redfern

Fitzroy Terrace is a colonial Georgian terrace with seven two-storey homes that stand on a lot owned by Dr. William Redfern. These iconic buildings on Pitt St are culturally and socially significant to the evolution of this Sydney suburb.

Before the good doctor bought the property, this area was once known as Roberts Farm, after Williams Roberts, who was granted the land in the 1790s by Lieutenant Governor Francis Grose after Mr Roberts’ sentence expired.

Mr Roberts was tasked to cultivate and improve the land. By 1800, Roberts Farm was sold at least four more times to different owners, including Dr Redfern.

Who was Dr William Redfern?

Dr Redfern was a British-born surgeon who was transported as a convict to Australia in 1801 for his involvement in the Mutiny of the Nore in the Royal Navy. He was originally sentenced to death but was granted mercy due to his profession.

After spending years in a British prison, the doctor requested transportation to New South Wales, where he was tasked to help with the establishment of a new colony and given a conditional pardon.

Dr Redfern served as the assistant surgeon on Norfolk Island until 1808. Following his full pardon, he moved to Sydney and was appointed the assistant surgeon of a new Sydney Hospital.

Dr William Redfern — Photo Credit: City of Sydney

In 1811, he married Sarah Spencer Wills, proceeded with his private practice and then co-founded the Bank of New South Wales. Although he was regarded as an emancipist, Dr Redfern established the largest private practice in Sydney and became the first person to gain an Australian medical qualification and the first teacher of Australian medical students.

Upon the arrival of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, Dr Redfern’s status further amplified as a premier medical worker for his work with emancipated convicts. The governor wanted their rehabilitation and chose four distinguished men for this task, including Dr Redfern.

The doctor’s report on the sanitary problems of the ships that transported convicts to New South Wales ushered in major reforms. He resigned from government work in 1819 when he was not appointed to succeed D’Arcy Wentworth as the new principal surgeon.

After receiving a grant from Gov Macquarie, Dr Redfern, who already owned 70 acres of land, consolidated his property with the 30 acres owned by his wife’s family. Today, these properties are believed to be bordered by Cleveland, Regent, Redfern, and Elizabeth Streets.

Photo Credit: National Library of Australia

Why was it called Fitzroy Terrace?

Dr Redfern’s properties were subdivided in the 1840s, two decades after his death. Mr John Alexander developed Lots 10 and 12 to what is now known as Fitzroy Terrace, with 6 to 18 Pitt St as its present-day address.

The property was believed to be named after Gov Charles Augustus Fitzroy, who arrived in Sydney just after the terrace finished construction.

Fitzroy Terrace was designed by Mr James Hume, a famous Sydney architect credited for the St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the Great Synagogue. The terrace was built to address the growing need to produce housing for the burgeoning suburb of Redfern.

Fitzroy Terrace Plan — Photo Credit: Heritage Listing NSW Department of Environment

The very first occupants of Fitzroy Terrace were middle-class professionals who worked as barristers, accountants, clerks, or civil engineers. Fitzroy Terrace has a beautiful front garden with old frangipani and elm trees that were added by its new owners.

The houses are characterized by their gable roof and attic, their verandah with corrugated iron or terracotta tile, and semi-circular fanlights over French doors. The houses were set back from Pitt St, with cast iron picket fences and stone retaining walls.

Over the years, Fitzroy Terrace has had alterations and experienced degradation due to its separate ownerships. The front of the terrace remains well-preserved, whilst the rear side has had several additions and extensions that have impacted the appearance and order of the properties.

Some of the buildings on Fitzroy Terrace, particularly 16 and 18 were completely restored and enhanced by its owners in the early 2000s whilst some of the elm trees were uprooted due to poor health.

Fitzroy Terrace was entered into the NSW Heritage Listing in April 1999.

National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern Handed Over to NSWALC

Did you know that ownership of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence economic hub on George St, has now been handed over to the NSW Aboriginal Land Council?

NSWALC Chairman Danny Chapman welcomed the development of the transfer after ironing out the acquisition’s many “complex layers.” With the arrangement finalised, following discussions with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), Chapman said they could look forward to working with the community.

Mr Chapman added that the site is “synonymous with the uplift of our people.” With NSWALC’s ownership, the full potential of National Centre of Indigenous Excellence will be fully achieved.

The Redfern property was once the former Redfern Public School but was bought in 2010 by the ILSC for the Federal Government. ILSC Group chief executive Joe Morrison said the handover aligned with its thrust to return assets entitled to the First Nations people.

The ILSC is shifting its objectives and plans to provide more support and means to allow Indigenous Australians to manage their own assets.

The decision comes after ILSC’s controversy in 2021 when several of its board directors and executives resigned amidst the negotiations of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence turnover.

The NCIE is regarded as the “beating heart of urban Aboriginal Australia,” according to a former executive. Its heritage-listed buildings as office spaces, accommodation, conference rooms, a purpose-built gym and aquatics centre, and a sports field.