Two months on from the explosion in Rozelle that killed three people, Leichhardt Council’s public works team is still working to restore the shopping precinct to the bustling shopping hub it was before the blast.
Emergency services were called to tackle the blaze at the newsagents on Darling Street, Rozelle at approximately 4am on 4th
September.
“Council staff were on site immediately after the explosion performing the duties required as Local Emergency Management Officers such as traffic control, temporary propping of awnings, site clean-up and removal of debris by the provision of trucks and excavators,” a Council spokesperson told
PWPro.
“The site was under the control of Fire & Rescue NSW until 5.00pm Friday until the bodies were removed. The site was then handed over to the Police as it was a crime scene.”
Council action
The main access to Darling Street, between Victoria Road and Wise Street was closed for 12 days following the explosion and buses were rerouted. Significant delays were experienced by drivers during morning peak hours when leaving the peninsular.
Pedestrian access was prevented along Darling Street from Nelson to Merton Street during this period. All major utilities were also disconnected until each property within the blast zone could be assessed.
As well as being a crime scene, an asbestos exclusion zone 50m in each direction of the explosion was established. The streets were only declared safe on 7 September, following extensive testing.
Leichhardt Council held a meeting on 23 September to consider how to alleviate the stress on small businesses in the area that had been directly affected by the explosion through damage to their properties and/or road closure, and indirectly affected by the reduction in passing business during the period.
It was agreed that the three demolished properties would require development consent and a construction certificate (CC) for their reconstruction. The approximate Development Application and CC cost for each property amounted to $10,000 with an approximate additional $7000 of hoarding fees for each site.
It was recommended that the council waive any out of pocket expenses (ie excluding costs already covered by insurance and state government statutory charges) for these fees for each of the demolished properties and commit to fast tracking their DA and CC determinations.
Revitalising local business
It was also recommended that the council commission street art for the hoardings around the three demolished shops that would promote Rozelle and Balmain as a destination.
The art will be developed in consultation with the local Chamber and local business owners and proprietors.
Council also took extensive steps to revitalise the area and held a concert at King George Park and will also hold large street fair on 30 November to entice people back to the area and help local businesses recoup some of their lost finances. In addition, the council waived rates and fees, such as footpath occupation fees, for local businesses for a period.
Praise for council
Council staff and emergency services are trained in emergency management. This provides clear roles in responsibilities for how each emergency service assists with the emergency.
“Feedback from the Emergency Management Officers from the Police indicated that the matter was handled very well under difficult circumstances,” said the Council spokesperson, who added that communication with residents and businesses was key.
“There is a need to have someone on board early to provide this information whilst the staff deal with the emergency at hand.
“This was a terrible tragedy and the impact felt by the residents and businesses was significant.”