R&W Lindfield's Quarterly Book 35th Edition | April - June 2018 | Page 4

Our Vision for
Lindfield
Who Are We?
Support Lindfield is a group of over 650
local households who have come together
to create a new heart to our Village. The
site is the 1.3ha western Council carpark
behind the shops, bounded by Bent St. and
Beaconsfield Pde. The Group formed in
response to a proposal by NSW Transport
to build a three storey above ground
commuter carpark. The idea “to put the cars
in a basement and create a Village heart at
ground level” came out of a meeting of local
community groups held by Bendigo Bank in
late 2012. We thought by bringing together
all stakeholders, Government, Council,
business and the community a better
solution could be found. Support Lindfield
was formed on this simple idea.
We have held a series of
community forums and formed
an ambitious vision. A people place
of hybrid spaces, a focus of community
life for all. A green, active and safe village
square that integrates with an inspiring
building containing a new age library, family
cafes, supermarket, activity/meeting/
performance areas and much more. Linked
to short/long term parking and station
access.
We looked at the success of Lane Cove’s
Library and retail/supermarket precinct
and contacted supermarket chains
Woolworths, Aldi and Coles with the
exciting vision for Lindfield. Woolworths
immediately embraced the idea, seeing the
opportunity to work collaboratively with the
community and open a supermarket in a
much underserviced affluent market. NSW
Transport agreed to contribute to commuter
parking costs. The existing library site could
be sold by Council to fund the new library
and facilities. The community would get that
new heart to our Village. Win-win all round.
By 2015 Ku-ring-gai Council had acquired
key properties, completed concept
planning and amended the LEP, all with
unprecedented community support. In spite
of Support Lindfield’s constant drive on
behalf of the community the project under
Ku-ring-gai Council’s management has
stalled for the past three years. Council’s
focus on its own self-preservation during
the proposed amalgamations, lack of