Hello there.

Thank you for signing our petition. 

I thought you would like to know that the NSW Department of Planning and Environment have extend the review period for this application.  This means they are still considering allowing Sydney Trains to install a HUGE digital advertising billboard at Sydney park Junction.

Do you want to look at adverts on a huge digital screen every time you take your family or pet - or yourself - for a stroll in Sydney park?  Or every time you drive or cycle past it?

We still have time to tell the responsible Minister that we don't want this visual eyesore in our neighbourhood.  

It's easy.  Just copy the below e-mail and send it to Minister Paul Scully. He is the MP who has the authority to reject the application..  

A quick copy, paste, send, and it’s done.   Thank you for supporting the community.

___________________________________________________

To: office@scully.minister.nsw.gov.au
CC: jenny.leong@parliament.nsw.gov.au; wollongong@parliament.nsw.gov.au; Christopher.Fraser@planning.nsw.gov.au

SUBJECT: Objections to DA 23/14504 - Digital Signage and Monopole - Sydney Park Road, Erskineville. 

Dear Minister Scully

I’m writing to you to express my objection to the proposed installation of a large digital billboard at Sydney Park Road, Erskineville (DA 23/14504).

I understand that Sydney Trains have been given a deadline of April 19 to submit additional documents in support of their application. 

Minister, I ask you to listen to – and act upon – the large number of varied and valid objections that have been submitted to date by both the public and by professionals. 

So far:

• Over 800 concerned residents have signed a Change.org petition to express their opposition and objection to the installation of this billboard.
• 161 local residents have proactively accessed the on-line DA feedback portal provided by the Department of Planning and Environment to OBJECT to the installation of the billboard.
• Senior Town Planners from both City of Sydney Council and Inner West Council have provided thorough and detailed objections via submissions sent to the Department of Planning and Environment
• A number of concerned locals have reached out to Local Member for Newtown Jenny Leong seeking her help to ensure the proposal is rejected, prompting the member for Newtown to write directly to you asking you to intervene.
• Media organisation Mumbrella have written an article on our efforts to demonstrate how the community have come together to oppose this application.

Minister, I ask you to listen to the local residents and be guided in your decision making by their wishes and concerns – rather than being guided by Sydney Trains  need to generate revenue.   

To summarise, we object to the installation of this billboard because of the: 

• Excessive scale of the installation, which will detract from the character of the streetscape, and surrounding views and vistas.
• Safety implications to road users and pedestrians.  The billboard is designed to distract motorists in the lead up to Sydney Park Junction - an area used heavily by families accessing the park, and by cyclists using the cycle way.   It is already an accident-prone zone – distracting drivers in this area is dangerous and irresponsible.
• Impacts to the landscape and heritage significance of Sydney Park and brickworks.  The area is being rejuvenated through the planned Sydney Park Junction upgrade and installation of an art centre in the brickworks.  This sign does not fit with the intent of these planned works.
• Impact to the residents of the neighbouring residential buildings, particularly caused by the excessive light the billboard will emit.
• Excessive advertising already present in the immediate area – notably another huge JC Decaux billboard on the adjacent St (Concord St) and advertising on bus stops and walls all around the proposed site.  This will add further visual clutter to a residential area that needs regeneration.

Minister, the billboard is of no value whatsoever to the local community and its sole purpose is to act as a revenue stream for NSW Trains / NSW Department of Transport.

We ask you to do the right thing and reject this application.