The support for this petition has received over the 24 hour period has been immense! thank you all that have signed please continue to make this petition know to your friends and family!
Today i have sent communications out via email to the Lord Mayor, City of Sydney & Alex Greenwich as well as various news sites to push for the reconsideration of the development plans.
"To Lord Mayor, City of Sydney & Alex Greenwich
As you are probably aware, 16 Flinders Street & 10 Taylor Street are currently up for sale with plans to be purchased by land developers for residential development.
I am writing to you today to give my concerns about these plans and outline the social-cultural and economic impacts it will have, as well as the importance of these sites to the LGBTQIA+ community, international students & at-risk individuals that call the site home. So far, I have created a petition to gain community support, and overnight we have seen over 100+ signatures added to it, and it is continually growing by the day (please see the attached spreadsheet for current numbers of signatories as it stands today on 9th September 2021).
Firstly, these two sites have been priced considerably high, meaning the only people in the market to purchase them are land developers. Other local licensees have considered purchasing Arq, Albion House and Bodyline in efforts to keep these spaces alive, but have had to retract these offers, due to the inflated pricing of the buildings. I have been contacted personally by the local businesses and they have given their full support for the petition as they do not want to lose such an iconic, well known home to so many.
With the introduction of lockout laws introduced back in 2014, we saw a reduction of over 100+ venues across the region, but when these lockout laws were no longer in effect, current standing venues were beginning to thrive again.
Unfortunately with Covid-19 lockdowns, we were hit with a second wave of losses in venues, restaurants & cafes, taking a huge economic hit again. Given that we are now beginning to exit these lockdowns, the loss of another venue would be detrimental to the local economy, as it is known to gain a lot of foot traffic and popularity because of spaces like Arq and Bodyline.
World Pride 2023 is steadily approaching, and with that many economic benefits will be felt all across the city, especially concentrated around Oxford Street, Taylor Square and Flinders. Losing such an iconic venue such as Arq and Bodyline, one that is internationally known and who many long to visit, would be felt by many in a negative way. The impacts of this redevelopment has created some concern for other venues on Oxford Street and other local LGBTQIA+ spaces as well.
I work on Oxford St, and our staff are even more worried for our local LGBTQIA+ community and the struggles that they are facing at the moment - A loss for one is a loss for all.
Speaking of losses, the hostel above Arq and Bodyline is home to many people who are at risk of homelessness, LGBTQIA+ youth & international students.
This space has provided a safe haven for many individuals from all walks of life and would be very devastating to these people who are being displaced by this redevelopment.
I feel this is in bad taste, as there are plans for this to become residential buildings and in the name of destroying what these people in need call their home.
Furthermore, it is imperative now more than ever to keep these spaces alive and running, not just for our current generations and efforts to rebuild our economy as we begin to exit these Covid-19 lockdowns, but for future generations of the community to experience, grow in and love them just as much as we all have.
With support from the community and yourselves, I really think we can revitalise Oxford Street, Flinders St and other paramount social hubs together - without the loss of these iconic spaces.
Sincerely,
Dennis Newsome"