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Media Releases |
Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 12 June 2009 SYDNEY TO IMAGINE A NEW FUTURE FOR ITS WESTERN HARBOUR Land and foreshore west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be recreated following one of the most interactive consultation processes in NSW Government history. Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, today called on the people of Sydney, community groups, local businesses and councils to help conceive the future of Bays Precinct, in particular White Bay, Glebe Island and White Bay Power Station. “Bays Precinct as a whole includes 80 hectares of NSW Government land, including five kilometres of harbour foreshore, located just two kilometres from the CBD,” Ms Keneally said. “There is a mix of working harbour and parkland, commercial and residential development, and entertainment, arts and sporting facilities which is right for Bays Precinct. “We want Sydney to help decide what the right mix is. The NSW Government is asking Sydneysiders to imagine, and create a vision for White Bay, Glebe Island and White Bay Power Station.” Ms Keneally said that the innovative consultation process will start by the end of June and will include: • An interactive website that includes a forum where people can express views about different parts of Bays Precinct, comment on each other’s views and have a genuine debate. • A public submissions process where the public, community groups, stakeholders, State Government agencies, industry and councils can provide detailed advice and recommendations. • A community reference group, which includes representatives from community groups, businesses, local councils and local residents. • Specific consultation with industry groups including the Sydney Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Transport Forum and property development industry. “Bays Precinct will be transformed over the next five, 10 and 20 years. It will change from a wholly industrial area to one that is a key part of the modern, vibrant city that is Sydney,” Ms Keneally said. “To achieve that change we need to deploy modern and interactive communication tools that let the whole community participate, and will help create a new precinct for Sydney. “Bays Precinct includes iconic places such as Glebe Island and White Bay Power Station. For the first time in generations, the people of Sydney can put forward suggestions for new uses for these sites.”
Ms Keneally said the consultation process, focussing on interactive discussion – whether on line or in person – will establish long term planning principles for Bays Precinct, as well as immediate opportunities for the area. “We want to listen to and work with the people of Sydney to make a decision on uses for places such as Glebe Island and White Bay,” Ms Keneally said. “The potential of these areas is enormous, and could include a Darling-Harbour style arts and entertainment precinct, parkland, residential development or facilities necessary for a working harbour. “There is also great potential for redevelopment or adaptive reuse of the heritage listed White Bay Power Station. This could start soon and I look forward to hearing people’s views on possible uses. “Future transport needs and options for the area will also be considered as part of the consultation.” Ms Keneally said consultation deliberately asked the community to focus separately on the short to medium term and the longer term. “The reality is that there are existing uses in White Bay and Glebe Island that will determine opportunities in the short to medium term,” Ms Keneally said. “That includes a refuelling facility at White Bay, and CBD Metro construction which will likely include work at White Bay, Glebe Island and the Rozelle Marshalling Yards. “The consultation process recognises those uses, and asks the community to design a plan for the future as these land uses change. “Another factor impacting on short to medium term opportunities at White Bay is the temporary location of a cruise passenger terminal from Barangaroo. This will be a key question during public consultation. “Now is the time for the community to have its say on a permanent location for the Cruise Passenger terminal, be it at White Bay or some other location west of the Harbour Bridge. “We will consider community views alongside advice of the Passenger Cruise Terminal Steering Committee, including the cruise ship industry, Royal Australian Navy, Maritime NSW and Sydney Ports. “The Government is looking to make a decision on the future permanent location later this year, following community and industry feedback.” Ms Keneally said the consultation process would also present to the community the reality that Sydney will need to continue to retain areas for a working harbour.
“There is ample room for a mix of foreshore access, tourism, residential or entertainment developments in Bays Precinct, but we must also set aside harbour areas for shipping, vessel maintenance and repair, and major import industries,” Ms Keneally said. “We will have the debate about how much industrial land is needed and where, but Sydney cannot operate as a harbour city without areas for a working harbour. “In particular, there will continue to be working harbour uses at Rozelle and Blackwattle Bays, including wharf maintenance and boat storage and repair.” Ms Keneally said that the Bays Precinct consultation process is separate to ongoing community engagement regarding the CBD Metro. “To ask questions or provide feedback specifically about CBD Metro, you can call the dedicated information line, email or go to their website: www.sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au,” Ms Keneally said. To get involved in consultation about Bays Precinct, go to www.shfa.nsw.gov.au/baysprecinct. The consultation process will be launched by the end of June 2009.
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