Pyrmont R.A.P
Pyrmont is an inner city suburb located in Sydney and is approximately 2 kilometers west of Sydney’s CBD. Pyrmont is part of the Darling Harbour region and the location of the Local Government Area is the city of Sydney. Pyrmont, once a large manufacturing hub dominated by blue collar workers, transformed into a globalised city mostly consumed by the white collar industry (Sue Van Zuylan, Glyn Trethewy, Helen McIsaac 2007, pp. 218). Pyrmont has experienced an era of transformation, from a dominated primary and secondary industry city to a city of urban decay and now a vibrant residential community and its leading white-collar industry thriving in the Australian economy. While observing Pyrmont, it mainly consists of high-rise apartments and commercial buildings along with green spaces. Housing in Pyrmont consists of mainly new modern townhouses or high-rise apartments, however there is ‘affordable housing’ provided by the government. Pyrmont now comprises of people of a higher socio economic status than before the urban renewal project started (sheet in class, 6th August 2014).
Aim of Fieldwork
The issue at hand is the change resulting from urban renewal in Pyrmont. How has the change of industry in Pyrmont impacted the community of Pyrmont? The
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change in industry in Pyrmont from blue collar to white collar, has changed the demographics of the community and in turn has also affected the wellbeing of the community. The change in industry has impacted the community regarding the social justice and equity of the area, this involves the issue of the new housing standards in Pyrmont. The change in industry has also effected the community by raising the concern of Pyrmont’s ecological footprint due to the nature of the city and the rising population (Sue Van Zuylan, Glyn Trethewy, Helen McIsaac 2007, pp. 223). Nature of issue Pyrmont being the large manufacturing hub in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, its workers desired to settle in the area; as a result, the residential population of Pyrmont extended 19 000. The population started to fall when WWII approached and Pyrmont then became the point of entry for post war migrants. The population decreased even more when the manufacturing industry moved to the suburbs and the Port Botany handling facilities were developed. This sent the whole of Pyrmont into urban decay. In 1992, the City West Development Corporation was created with the explicit task to renew the entire Pyrmont-Ultimo. Most primary and secondary industry jobs have been replaced by technology or have been outsourced, this means that Australia predominantly comprises of the tertiary and quaternary industry. Therefore, it is not a surprise that this fresh, modern, emerging suburb is filled with telecommunication and media companies. Another factor that contributed to the change in industry was globalisation. Urban renewal took place when large TNC’s from around the world wanted facilities to run operations in the Asia Pacific region, and due to Sydney’s geographical location, climate and lifestyle, Pyrmont was an ideal choice (Sue Van Zuylan, Glyn Trethewy, Helen McIsaac 2007, pp. 218 - 222). With urban renewal came the growth of the white - collar industry, this in turn changed the demographics of the area. A change in demographics is the majority of the population now consisting of young professionals associated with the white-collar industry (sheet in class, 6th August 2014). Their high socio-economic status implies that they are able to afford the rising rent in Pyrmont unlike the existing residents, this has raised the issue of social justice and equity. The mix of young wealthier professionals and the old residents of Pyrmont calls for new standards of housing in the area. With the change in character of the community influenced by the change in demographics, the issue of Pyrmont’s ecological sustainability is also a concern. Due to Pyrmont’s popularity as an emerging and globalised city, Pyront’s population is foreseen to reach new heights in the next decades, which places pressure on the ability of Pyrmont to remain ecologically sustainable (Tangient LLC 2014). Findings Change in Industry Pyrmont, after being regularly voted as the least desirable neighbourhood, its transformation into a modern city brought a new future for Pyrmont (Michael Bounds and Alan morris 2005).
The City of Sydney 2031 metropolitan Strategy intends to transform the area into an information technology, communications and media zone (Sue Van Zuylan, Glyn Trethewy, Helen McIsaac 2007, pp. 170). While observing Pyrmont, business and industry revitalized the area with a focus on high tech, media and e-commerce businesses, some of which include Fairfax, channel 10, channel 7, Google, Nova as well as the Barangaroo development, which will attract many more people to the area as well as provide more
jobs. Managers 17.6 Professionals 37 Technicians and trades workers 7.4 Community and personal service workers 9.1 Clerical and administrative workers 13.7 Sales workers 7.4 Machinery operators and drivers 1.4 Labourers 4.1 Inadequately described/not stated 2.3 The white-collar industry attracted a new wave of residents in Pyrmont, mainly consisting of young professionals. Figure 3 illustrates that Pyrmont’s urban renewal changed the industry and has brought new demographics to the area as the majority of the population work as white collar workers rather than what used to be the norm of primary or secondary industry workers dominating the area in the early 20th century. Figure 3: Occupation of employed persons: percentage of total employed persons - 2011 Census Change in social structure/demographics The change in industry has impacted the community and area by transforming its social structure. Pyrmont residents are predominately young wealthy couples with no children, sometimes referred to as ‘DINKS’ (double income no kids). They are attracted to the area because of its industry and the close proximity to the city. Young couples in Pyrmont commonly earn around $905/per week in a professional occupation (2006), which is nearly 37% more than the metropolitan area average (Tangient LLC 2014). Industry Sectors Jobs added between 2007 - 2012 Professional and business 1278 Tourism, Cultural and Leisure 1222 Food and Drink 1170 Higher education 1091 Creative Industries 1087 As a result of the demand for information and technology businesses in the area, there has been a 46% increase in the jobs in Pyrmont-Ultimo, subsequently increasing the number of jobs by 9000 within 2007 to 2012. The urban renewal of Pyrmont and change in industry has resulted in the high tech businesses as well as the tourism and hospitality industry driving the job growth. Luke Goldsworthy, managing director of the digital agency Playhouse said that, “I think Pyrmont is fast becoming the new Surry Hills in terms of the marketing industry and the digital sector … We have Google down here, a chunk of IBM as well as Reuters and I suspect the area is going to continue to grow.” (James Gorman 2014) Figure 4: Jobs added in 2007 - 2012 in Pyrmont (James Gorman 2014) Impacts on Social Justice and Equity Pyrmont-Ultimo is now Australia’s most densely populated suburb. Research conducted by the Bureau of Statistics concludes that there is 13, 850 residents per square kilometer as of June 2012 (Matt Wade, May 1st 2013). To cater for this extremely dense and growing population, more than 93% of homes in Pyrmont are apartments (Real Estate, 2014). Due to Pyrmont’s prime location and highly desired living arrangements, the prices for rent and buying are increasing. Existing residents of Pyrmont are likely going to have to move suburbs as rates rise and higher income earners are attracted to the area. The Government introduced ‘City West Housing (CWH)’ in an attempt to manage the impact of the changing nature of housing on old Pyrmont residents. Their aim is to “provide affordable housing for people who had lived or worked in the area, we want to try to retain these people and encourage a community that is accessible to all”, Richard Perkins CWH general manager (Harbour Foreshore Authority, 2013). The affordable housing scheme allows people to live in Pyrmont despite its high rentals. People like Ying Shi had been struggling for years to find housing he could afford close to his workplace in Pyrmont. Living in his car or at his friends’ houses, Ying Shi said ‘I wanted to live in an apartment but I couldn’t find anything’. After being told of City West Housing by a friend, Ying Shi’s application was accepted and now “after three years, I finally found a place to live and I was so happy. It’s a very nice place, the building is good quality, and the environment is very clean and the staff in the office are very nice and they always help me.” (Brendan Wong 2014) Impacts on ecological sustainability The urban renewal scheme brought in a new industry that has changed the social structure of the Pyrmont community. The change in industry and demographics also has implications on the community’s environment. In response to Pyrmont’s growing population, the state government implemented an extensive public transport system to encourage people in the area to utilize the system. This strategy reduces car ownership and therefore lowers fuel consumption and carbon emissions in the governments attempt to make Pyrmont ecologically sustainable. The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 show that car ownership per household in Pyrmont is 0.9 compared to 1.45 across Sydney (Susmitha, NA) Stakeholders that have approached the issue of ecologically sustaining Pyrmont include the Local Council, individuals like residents and developers and environmental groups. The local council implemented a strategy involving collecting all the runoff water from various surrounding buildings and filtering it through bioretention swales and storing it in a tank, the water is then used of Pirrama park and Pyrmont Point park (Olivia Hyde 2010) Other strategies implemented by stakeholders include environmental groups like Clean Harbors Partners program who have implemented runoff screens near Sydney Harbor to block pollutants from entering the Harbor, these include cans, bottles, plastic bags and further litter. Another scheme instigated by another stakeholder, residents and developers is the placement of screens on the western sides of buildings to lessen the heat entering buildings during the summer. This decreases the need for air conditioning and therefore saves resources (Susmitha, NA). Government Recommendations To ensure that affordable housing is adequately supplied regardless of the demand for Pyrmont’s land by private developers the Government can recommend to the NSW Harbor an 80/20 proposal. For every 80 private apartments, 20 affordable housing apartments would be built. This aims to create social diversity and harmony in Pyrmont and to enhance the diversity of the suburb. It encourages a socially tolerant society and allows people equal opportunity to live in Pyrmont regardless of their socio economic status. Another course of action that can be proposed by the Government is the relocation of the Casino and its associated facilities. With another casino across the water in development, there is no need for 2 casinos within close proximity of eachother. The Star Casino could be relocated and its land can be freed for residential development purposes and not for gambling purposes. The replacement of the casino with residential buildings will help cater for the growing population of Pyrmont. If development occurs, the 80/20 ratio must be adhered to. Bibliography: GlobalisationinSydney - Model Examples for Urban dynamics-Pyrmont-Ultimo. 2014. GlobalisationinSydney - Model Examples for Urban dynamics-Pyrmont-Ultimo. [ONLINE] Available at: http://globalisationinsydney.wikispaces.com/Model+Examples+for++Urban+dynamics-Pyrmont-Ultimo. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. Implications - Urban Growth and Decline in Pyrmont-Ultimo. 2014. Implications - Urban Growth and Decline in Pyrmont-Ultimo. [ONLINE] Available at: http://geogmsullivan.weebly.com/implications.html. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. National Regional Profile : Pyrmont - Ultimo (Statistical Area Level 2). 2014. National Regional Profile : Pyrmont - Ultimo (Statistical Area Level 2). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@nrp.nsf/Previousproducts/117031334Main%20Features12007-2011?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=117031334&issue=2007-2011&num=&view=. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au. 2014. No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/surge-in-jobs-business-growth-in-new-hightech-hubs-pyrmont-and-ultimo/story-fngr8h22-1226851490426. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au. 2014. No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/inner-west/new-developments-will-bring-affordable-housing-to-the-inner-west/story-fngr8h4f-1226830449938. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. Packed-in Pyrmont is Australia's most densely populated suburb. 2014. Packed-in Pyrmont is Australia's most densely populated suburb. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/packedin-pyrmont-is-australias-most-densely-populated-suburb-20130501-2is5g.html. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. Pirrama park | ArchitectureAU . 2014. Pirrama park | ArchitectureAU . [ONLINE] Available at: http://architectureau.com/articles/pirrama-park-1/. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. Pyrmont Bridge garden plan could separate cyclists and pedestrians. 2014. Pyrmont Bridge garden plan could separate cyclists and pedestrians. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/pyrmont-bridge-garden-plan-could-separate-cyclists-and-pedestrians-20140730-zyknk.html. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. Pyrmont House Prices, Real Estate Market & Pyrmont Lifestyle Info. 2014. Pyrmont House Prices, Real Estate Market & Pyrmont Lifestyle Info. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.realestate.com.au/neighbourhoods/pyrmont-2009-nsw. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. Pyrmont, NSW | Know where you live. 2014. Pyrmont, NSW | Know where you live. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.hackdays.com/knowwhereyoulive/postcodes/view/2009. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. Wix.com Pyrmont Ultimo created by sush90 based on Close Up | Wix.com. 2014. Wix.com Pyrmont Ultimo created by sush90 based on Close Up | Wix.com. [ONLINE] Available at: http://susmitha94.wix.com/pyrmont-ultimo#!. [Accessed 07 September 2014]. . 2014. . [ONLINE] Available at: http://observatoryhilleec.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Ultimo-Pyrmont.pdf. [Accessed 07 September 2014].
In 1900, Pyrmont was an important port and industrial area, with a population of almost 30 000 people. There was a wide range of industries and services present including wharves, dockyards, warehouses, abattoirs, wool stores, railway yards and even an incinerator for the disposal of Sydney’s waste. It was deemed a working-class suburb with a predominantly Irish/Catholic population. As the income for Pyrmont was only modest, semi-detached cottages were the most common type of housing present. In the 1960’s however, Pyrmont-Ultimo was deteriorating at a fast rate and became an unfortunate example of urban decay.
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