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For this controversial project, we took the novel approach of doorknocking local residents, not once, but multiple times. This personal contact proved the key to successfully explaining the project and gaining an understanding of community issues.
In 2006, we were engaged by Landcom to undertake community consultation and engagement for the Waterloo Incinerator site, a site central to planning for a vibrant Green Square Town Centre, a new cultural heart for the new community of Green Square.
The Incinerator was decommissioned in 1997 following community protest, but remained a dormant and benign symbol of community struggle for the next nine years.
Landcom had two roles in the Green Square Town Centre renewal project. As Development Manager on behalf of the City of Sydney, Landcom was tasked with managing the design, approval and construction of infrastructure and public domain improvements, negotiate with landowners, promote and market the overall project, monitor and report on financial performance and prepare management plans for the infrastructure and public domain.
Landcom’s second role in the project is as a commercial developer of the Waterloo Incinerator site. To achieve redevelopment, Landcom needed the support of nearby residents for demolition of the Incinerator. This meant ensuring that the local community understood the overall vision for the Green Square Town Centre, raised no objection to the demolition of the Incinerator, and was confident that there was someone with whom they could speak to raise any concerns during demolition.
City Marketing took the innovative approach of doorknocking each and every one of the 300 local households to introduce the project and keep residents informed at key stages of the process. In addition we:
- developed regular newsletters
- developed fact sheets, FAQ’s and other content for the Incinerator website
- co-ordinated precinct briefings with residents
- in response to community requests, co-ordinated an onsite inspection of the abandoned incinerator
- personally answered telephone calls and emails from residents to ensure that they fully understood the issues involved and that Landcom could respond appropriately
Landcom’s Development Application was successful and the Incinerator was demolished in 2008.