Factory Site Timeline of Key Events

The Government announces that it and the RAS signed a letter of intent for the relocation of the RAS from Moore Park to Homebush Bay.

4.00 pm: The close off date and time for EOI submissions to be lodged in the tender box at Property Services Group.

The RAS executes a lease (40 years with an option to renew for a further 10 years) with Fox for 24.3 hectares of the Sydney Showground site. Simultaneously the Olympic Co-ordination Authority and the RAS execute an agreement which sets out the arrangements for the relocation of the RAS to Homebush Bay.

See the lease >>

Auditor General's finding:

From Executive Summary: "The audit finds that the process commenced under the former government were intended to ensure that no one party was placed above another: In the event, the actual processes employed up to the general election in March 1995 were so flawed as not to be relied upon to select a preferred proponent or to justify dispensing with a tender process."

See the full report >>

2. Demolition and Construction of Factory Sites (1997 - 200x)

NSW Legislative Assembly – Sydney Showground Lease Documentation
From Hansard

"The Auditor-General reported that a Senior Treasury Officer who was involved in the Sydney Showground Lease Project shredded working files before they could be made available to the Auditor-General"
Pg 4229 – Ms Moore (Bligh)

BBC Consulting Planners Statement of Environmental Effects accompanying DA 22 189-6-02 state that:

“The proposed Craft Shop will create no significant adverse environmental impacts”. (p 24, section 8)

Undated letter from Mick O’Flynn, Manager Sydney Local government to Robert Black in relation to noise, page 2 raises concerns about Hyder Consulting acoustic Statement of Environmental Effects.

Letter from Josephine Wadlow-Evans to Planning NSW – objecting to Development and asking for list of chemicals etc. to carry out an Environmental Impact Study on behalf of Community. (Letter attached)

No post-determination notices received by residents, ref. EPA&Act 1979 (revised) Section 81, Post-Determination notification to third-parties.
Josephine Wadlow-Evans contacted SCG Staff questioning “Craft Shop” told that in fact they were ‘highly toxic’ factories and that staff at the above had been complaining to Management about the ‘fumes’ from buildings adjacent to them, that Staff were also feeling ‘sick’. Told by Management that they were employed by the Government, either ‘shut up or ship out’.

Claims that FSA had been demolishing (Heritage?) buildings without permission, that old photographs of the area showed the changed topography.

Josephine Wadlow-Evans was told that the new Workshop would be bad and that it would impact heavily on the surrounding neighbourhood. As the chemicals used were ‘toxic and hazardous’. Staff working at the SCG and Aussie Stadium were having problems with not only the ‘chemical fumes’ but also ‘high levels of wood dust’ were a constant source of complaint. The Woodwork shop is adjacent to the wall separating the complexes, and the wood used was MDF, a highly dangerous and noxious material, as disclosed by the English arm of the Media Unions, BECTU. (There are day-care centres operating in the sporting complex, tough luck for the children and babies in there). (Surely the Trustees have a duty of care or responsibility to those accessing this site)? (It is understood that each corporation/government department, trust has to operate within a Code of Conduct and Duty of Care, the trust and management of both Aussie Stadium and SCG have totally disregarded the ‘deadly’ impact to both staff and those attending matches at the site. JMWE forwarded documents, by hand, to senior management, so they cannot deny the dangers. We gave them copies of Professor Chris Winders and Doctor Mark Donohoe’s review they delivered at the Public Meeting at the Paddington Town Hall on 17th August, 2006. No response other than there isn’t a problem)!

Article appears in WENTWORTH COURIER by Pam Walker – Fox lodges plans for craft shop – (article attached) Michael Harvey CEO of Fox interviewed. Michael Harvey refers to the 3,500 sq metre Factory as being likened to a ‘school workshop’.

Internal Memo from Gillian Reffell to Lesley Corkhill, Mick O’Flynn of EPA cc. Vickie Comins – refers to PNSW application for a Factory as Building 36 – and that they (EPA) were concerned with the Plan and use of ‘Roller Doors’ “that everyone (quite reasonably) felt would be left open and compound impacts for neighbours. I don’t recall what happened. Thought this background may be useful incase the current proposal has similar characteristics”.

Complaints received by Fox Studios that trucks were removing materials from building.

Contacted D. Keary of PNSW referring to operations and asked for a list of ‘materials to be used on site’ i.e., in manufacturing operations. (Internal memo attached) Rod Allen of Fox Studios Australia refused to disclose a list of chemicals/materials being used on the site, stating that as they change every day it would be too difficult to give an accurate list.
Dan Keary of PNSW states that they, PNSW are happy with this arrangement, Josephine Wadlow-Evans states how can they be when they have not been given a list of the materials. D. Keary reiterates their (PNSW) satisfaction, Josephine Wadlow-Evans says, “How can you be satisfied with this, when you don’t know what you are satisfied with”.

Internal Fax to Karl Lorenz SSC from Edward Osiowy – Dept of Urban Affairs and Planning – relates to an OPTUS DA 289-08-00 Fox Studios – Installation of a Telecommunications Facility –

Quote from letter to Mr. John Bourke General Manager, South Sydney City Council – “Although the proposed facility would normally qualify as a low impact ( visually ) and therefore not require development consent, it is located in an “are of environmental significance” as defined in clause 2.5(6) of the Commonwealth Telecommunications (Low-Impact Facilities) Determination 1997 (amended 1999). As the Showground is listed on the Register of National Estate, it requires development approval under the NSW Environmental Planning Assessment Act (as amended).
State Environmental Planning Policy No. 47 (SEPP 47) – Moore Park Showground applies to this proposal and pursuant to clause 8 of the Policy the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning is the consent authority. Due to the Minor nature of the proposed development, the Department will be recommending that the Minister use his powers under clause 14(4) of SEPP 47 to waive advertising and exhibition requirements in clause 14(1) of the SEPP. The proposed development is not a “designated development” within the meaning of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Signed / Petula Samios Director of Sydney Region East. 12/10/00

Government to Robert Black PNSW… “The development etc… The EPA will only provide specific comments… this only applies to noise and water.

Letter from Lee Rhiannon (Greens) to Dr. Andrew Refshauge (attached)

Faxed letter to Sue Holliday of PNSW (Attached)

Contact Sutherland Shire Council relates to “Serenity Cove Film Studios” in Kurnell, for their help on the zoning requirements.

Spoke to Paul Williams the Builder about my concerns with PNSW and Rod Allan of FSA refusal to disclose lists of chemicals and materials being used in the Factories. He stated that it was ‘impossible to give an accurate and up to date list as they, the chemicals and materials, changed daily, and it would be impossible to keep an up to date list to hand”. This of course made it impossible to gauge with certainty what ‘type of filters’ should be fitted in order to protect the surrounding community, from dangerous emissions. (He suggested that I make contact with Warner Bros in Queensland, as they could not be seen as being compromised, i.e., Serenity Cove was in FSA territory). (Serenity Cove zoned light-industrial – spray-painting, lacquering etc., not allowed on site, such activities require heavy industrial zoning. Ancillary operations such as hairdressers or Residential communities not allowed.

(Discussions with staff at Serenity Cove in 2005/6. Josephine Wadlow-Evans and the late Kevin Winter were told that FSA were unable to operate at the aforementioned site owing to ‘their operations being of a ‘heavy industrial nature’ Serenity Cove only zoned as Light Industrial).

Contact Sutherland Shire Council relates to “Serenity Cove Film Studios” in Kurnell, for their help on the zoning requirements.

Spoke to Paul Williams the Builder about my concerns with PNSW and Rod Allan of FSA refusal to disclose lists of chemicals and materials being used in the Factories. He stated that it was ‘impossible to give an accurate and up to date list as they, the chemicals and materials, changed daily, and it would be impossible to keep an up to date list to hand”. This of course made it impossible to gauge with certainty what ‘type of filters’ should be fitted in order to protect the surrounding community, from dangerous emissions. (He suggested that I make contact with Warner Bros in Queensland, as they could not be seen as being compromised, i.e., Serenity Cove was in FSA territory). (Serenity Cove zoned light-industrial – spray-painting, lacquering etc., not allowed on site, such activities require heavy industrial zoning. Ancillary operations such as hairdressers or Residential communities not allowed.

(Discussions with staff at Serenity Cove in 2005/6. Josephine Wadlow-Evans and the late Kevin Winter were told that FSA were unable to operate at the aforementioned site owing to ‘their operations being of a ‘heavy industrial nature’ Serenity Cove only zoned as Light Industrial).

Apply to Mr. Whittacker of South Sydney City Council, under Section 12 of Local Government Act, 1993 for any documents relating to the Agreement between DUAP and South Sydney City Council in term of Covenants between Fox Studios Australia and South Sydney City Council.

(It is alleged that Council Staff, in the Environmental Dept., of SSCC witnessed Staff from the Office of Refshaugie removing ‘large numbers of duplicate files relating to Fox Studios Australia and News Corporation, without signatures’ this, it is alleged, in order to comply with Section 18 of NSW Government ORDER OF PAPERS. (The Council only held duplicate copies of Files already held by PNSW (DUAP).

Documents include Leases between FSA and RAS, Lease between Producers and FSA and also a comprehensive list of “Complaints” from local residents. Documented/written records of complaints stops abruptly on what has to be seen as the first day of ‘filming’. (since 2001 JMWE appears to be the only documented complainant)