Fill the hole in the hills
spot for food trucks, a beer garden, a performance space, markets or even a roller-skating rink? - What do you think this site could be used for before 2040?
To Transgrid,
The site at 252-284 Riley Street, Surry Hills has remained vacant since the demolition of former warehouse buildings for a residential development that was never built. The land was acquired by Transgrid for critical infrastructure upgrades and has been partially excavated for a high-voltage cable tunnel.
While Transgrid has flagged the site for potential use as a future 330KV substation, no design or planning work has commenced, and the infrastructure is not expected to be required until 2040.
In the meantime, this underutilised site sits idle in the heart of a dense, inner-city community that urgently needs more open space, cultural infrastructure, and affordable housing options.
The petitioners therefore ask Transgrid to:
Undertake a study into the expected technical footprint and design requirements for the future substation at the Riley Street site;
Request that Transgrid collaborate with the City of Sydney to explore temporary or interim uses of the site between now and 2040; and
To access the feasibility of co-locating other community-beneficial uses, such as open space, cultural venues, or housing - alongside the planned future substation.