Randwick City Council last night, 2 September 2014, agreed to enter into a Development Agreement with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to assist the integration of the CBD & South East Light Rail project into Randwick City.

The $1.6 billion State Government project will see light rail built from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kingsford. The project was given planning approval in June 2014 with construction expected to commence in 2015.

The Development Agreement directly addresses areas of community concern about the project and secures some significant wins for Randwick City residents and businesses.

Randwick Mayor Scott Nash said Council's agreement is the result of months of work and provides a framework to achieve some significant improvements to the project.

"This is a fantastic result for us and helps secure positive outcomes that will directly benefit our community," Mayor Nash said. "The Development Agreement now gives our local residents more certainty and more input into how the project will be delivered throughout Randwick and Kingsford.

"Council has been campaigning to bring light rail to Randwick for many years, and now we are set to see this become a reality. Signing this agreement helps us make a great project even better for our local residents, businesses and the thousands who travel to the Prince of Wales hospital complex, the University of NSW and the surrounding education precinct, as well as Royal Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Parklands.

"Bringing light rail to Randwick City will transform our public transport system and bring considerable benefits to our area. It will create up to 700 jobs as a direct result of construction, and it will support the growth of thousands of jobs in education, health and research in Randwick City," Mayor Nash said. 

Key elements of the Development Agreement include:

• support from TfNSW to return 100-120 parking spots on Anzac Parade, Kensington during off-peak hours;
• the opportunity to acquire land to build a car park on Rainbow Street, Kingsford at market value;
• preventing heavy maintenance on the intended light rail stabling facility site; and
• agreement to consult an independent arborist before the removal of any contentious trees or tree limb;
• agreement from TfNSW to modify the planning approval for the light rail project to reflect Council's alternative location for the Randwick interchange should it be demonstrated to TfNSW that such an alternative is feasible;
• defining the cleaning, maintenance and graffiti removal obligations of TfNSW;
• ensuring that TfNSW provides for the future proofing of Council assets such as storm water pipes and drainage;
• agreeing to a high quality urban design outcome which enhances Council's public spaces and streetscapes and integrates safely into the community.

Council resolved to endorse the Development Agreement at its meeting on 26 August 2014, but reconsidered the matter at an extraordinary meeting on 2 September 2014 after a motion to rescind the decision was lodged. The rescission motion was lost which means the original motion from 26 August 2014 now stands.