Inner city resident’s new point of view on skyscraper plans
Paul Zervos can knock up a rough idea of how high-rise proposals might look for nearby residents
When Paul Zervos returned to live in Wollongong 12 years ago, he decided to move into the fourth floor of a new inner-city apartment to enjoy the “stunning” western views to the escarpment.
Paul bought off the plan in Smith Street and, at the time, he couldn’t be happier with his decision. His balcony offered 180-degree uninterrupted western views to Mount Kembla and Mount Keira. He was in his happy place.
But times have changed.
Over the past decade, new lower-rise, 6-7 storey buildings have sprung up nearby in the CBD, effectively creating “a wall” blocking a good part of his mountain view.
Paul said he was OK with that, understanding that everybody needs somewhere to live.
But in the past 12 months, he’s been “shocked” by proposals for multiple super-high rise residential buildings of up to 40 storeys in the Flinders and Smith Street precincts. Paul says those projects, if approved, would wipe out a large part of his favourite views to the west.
“Looking at the escarpment is what Wollongong is all about. The escarpment to the sea, that’s what the Illawarra is; and to put a brick wall in between two of the biggest attractions of this place is wrong,” Paul said.
Paul wanted to work out what his future outlook could look like if the proposed developments were approved.
“I thought, you know, a 38-storey building plonked over there doesn’t make any sense. You’re just basically blocking the whole CBD’s view,” Paul said.
“We live here. This is our home. And we need to look after it; preserve what it is that makes it our home.
Before/after images
In recent weeks, as new skyscraper plans have surfaced, Paul has used computer modelling to generate “before and after” imagery to understand the visual impact.
“I just did it for my own purposes, to scratch my itch. I’ve got a pretty good view right now, but what could the new buildings do to that view?”
Paul’s before and after indicative render of how his balcony views will be affected by proposed new high-rise. Images: Paul Zervos/See The Impact.
“I just did a bit of analysis, and put the render up, and wow. I know you can’t stop progress, and that’s fine, but I think it needs to be reasonable,” Paul said.
“No one is looking at this holistically because this has gone out of council’s hands now; it’s at a state level. There’s no masterplan for this whole area.”
Paul is offering his services free of charge for others who want to know how new high rise will affect their views. Anyone wanting his help can contact him here.
Paul makes it clear that the images he creates are “indicative renders, not certified photomontages. They have not been prepared to Land and Environment Court standards. Buildings are shown as plain blocks, without facade details, setbacks and landscaping.”
Paul supports efforts by Wollongong City Council and the Wrong for the Gong community group which wants to put a cap on building heights in central Wollongong, including the Flinders Street precinct.
“We just need a bit more consistency; a cap on heights. It just needs to be practical.”
View in perspective
Leigh Forsyth, convenor of the Wrong for the Gong community action group, hopes the assistance Paul Zervos is offering could be a game-changer.
“I think it’s fabulous. We all think we have a rough idea of what these big new buildings will look like, but nothing in terms of seeing it in perspective,” Leigh said.
Leigh asked Paul to replicate the view he’d get from his own CBD apartment balcony.
“I thought, oh, that’s worse than I thought it was going to be.
Paul’s indicative render images of how CBD views would be affected by proposed new developments looking north along the railway corridor. Images: Paul Zervos/See The Impact.
“I think the beauty of what Paul’s doing is that he’s getting photos from all different perspectives and then trying to mesh it all together. It doesn’t matter which angle you look at; you’re going to get a broad, reasonably accurate perspective of what it’s going to look like, regardless of where you live or how high you live.
“I think it’s great work because a picture tells a thousand words, and I think that’s a big plus.”
Leigh said the Wrong for the Gong petition, seeking to put planning powers back in the hands of Wollongong City Council, has nearly 700 signatures.
“Once we hit 1000 signatures, we can knock on the minister’s door and present it.”
The group is in the process of planning a rally in Wollongong in late November to coincide with the NSW Local Government Conference at the WEC.
Paul Zervos can be contacted by email at seetheimpact.gong@gmail.com.
