Students May Use Trades Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday September 4, 1999

Brad Norington

Sydney's historic Trades Hall, once the home of unions, may be transformed into low-cost student accommodation under a multi-million-dollar plan by the Labor Council secretary, Mr Michael Costa.

Mr Costa has entered lease negotiations for the Goulburn Street building with the registrar of the University of Technology, Sydney, Mr Jeff Fitzgerald, to provide 200 beds for students.

The proposal comes after an earlier Labor Council plan to redevelop Trades Hall as a 30-storey hotel and residential block was frustrated by height restrictions in Chinatown enforced by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Frank Sartor.

Mr Costa said the new plan was a good solution for the future of the site now that all unions had moved out and the building had become rundown and expensive to maintain.

According to one Labor Council estimate, it would cost $15 million to renovate Trades Hall and transform its interior into self-contained units suitable for student accommodation.

Mr Costa said the option of offering UTS a long-term lease would solve Trades Hall's financial problems.

Mr Fitzgerald confirmed he had talked to Mr Costa and was interested in the possibility of taking a head lease in Trades Hall.

© 1999 Sydney Morning Herald

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