STOP WORK ORDER TO COST RATERPAYERS A stop work order issued on the Ryde Civic Centre redevelopment has the potential to cost ratepayers thousands of dollars a day until it is resolved.
Demolition of the Ryde Civic Centre building was due to commence on Monday after plans to build a new community and civic hub on the site were unanimously approved by the State Government's Sydney North Planning Panel.
However, Heritage NSW issued a stop work notice on Friday after developer lobbyist The Urban Taskforce criticised the redevelopment plans.
The decision not only jeopardises the project but will also result in significant costs being incurred by Council and Ryde ratepayers.
City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale, said stopping a project that was of vital importance to the local community at th e behest of property developers was astounding.
"This is nothing but a land grab by developers. Why is it that developers get to dictate what happens to a site with plans that 85 per cent of our community support?" Clr Laxale said.
"We have spent more than 10 years consulting with our community to get the approvals necessary to build our new cultural hub. This political stunt by developers will only cost ratepayers and rob us of our much - needed community facilities.
