Transforming Sydney: The Bays Precinct

Posted On July 17, 2014

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Planning Minister Pru Goward today announced the NSW Government will host an international summit later this year, to hear from world leading urban renewal experts about the best ways to revitalise the area in Sydney’s inner harbour known as The Bays Precinct.

New housing and areas for recreation, retail, tourism, commercial and maritime use will be created along more than 5.5 kilometres of waterfront land in The Bays Precinct as part of the city’s largest single urban renewal program since the Sydney Olympics.

Mr Baird said the NSW Government will ensure that underutilised and degraded waterfront areas in and around Blackwattle Bay, the Sydney Fish Market, Rozelle Bay, Rozelle Rail Yards, and the heritage-listed White Bay Power Station are regenerated to provide a vibrant new harbour front.

“The Bays Precinct is just two kilometres west of the Sydney CBD, and presents possibly the most exciting and ambitious urban renewal and city building opportunity in the world today,” Mr Baird said.

“At the moment we have an urban wasteland that is four times the size of Barangaroo sitting right next to the world’s greatest harbour.

“We owe it to future generations to make sure we get the renewal of such a significant area right, which is why we’ve decided to hold an international summit in Sydney in November, to which we will invite the greatest minds in the field of city building and urban regeneration from across Australia and the world.

“The participants will be invited on the basis of their experience, expertise and demonstrated success in the delivery of major urban renewal projects.

“The international summit will be held on the 19th and 20th of November and it has been timed to coincide with the G20 Summit in Brisbane.

“By bringing together the best local and international expertise, we believe we can achieve a great outcome for the people of Sydney, while setting a new benchmark for what is possible in the regeneration of iconic urban destinations.

“The public and other stakeholders will also be asked to provide input as we develop plans to revitalise this area.

“This is yet another example of how we are rebuilding our state and getting on with the job of transforming NSW.”

Ms Goward said The Bays Precinct Urban Renewal Program would be a 30 year program.

“Our plans to regenerate The Bays Precinct will deliver vibrant and dynamic places for cultural, maritime, recreational, retail, residential and commercial use,” Ms Goward said.

“For too long these waterfront areas have been at best under-utilised, and at worst derelict wastelands.

“We want to change that and make these harbourfront areas available to the public and tourists alike.

“The Bays Precinct Urban Renewal Program represents a game changer for Sydney, with the potential to create the next big destination after the iconic Sydney Opera House.”

UrbanGrowth NSW, the government’s urban renewal authority, is leading the revitalisation of The Bays Precinct.

OVERVIEW

Where: The Bays Precinct consists of approximately 80 hectares of Government owned land and sits within 2km of the Sydney CBD. It includes sites such as the heritage-listed White Bay Power Station, Glebe Island, White Bay, Rozelle Bay, Rozelle Rail Yards and Blackwattle Bay, including the Sydney Fish Market. It is the story of Sydney’s many parts, combining commerce, industry, leisure, housing and water activities.

The Project: The revitalisation of The Bays Precinct is a potential game changer for Sydney and the State of New South Wales. The Bays Precinct Urban Renewal Program will transform currently underutilised areas into a destination that will contribute significantly to the economic, cultural and social well being of the city and the state. The Precinct’s great heritage values, proximity to the city and waterfront position present exciting new opportunities for entertainment and leisure facilities, as well as residential, retail and commercial development.

The Program will regenerate waterfront areas in and around Blackwattle Bay including the Sydney Fish Market, Rozelle Bay, Rozelle Rail Yards and the heritage-listed White Bay Power Station to provide a vibrant new harbour frontage and foreshore access.

The Bays Precinct will be revitalised as a world-class, iconic waterfront destination, and will deliver vibrant and dynamic places for the city and the State.

Our role: The Bays Precinct Urban Renewal Program is a whole-of-government approach being led by UrbanGrowth NSW, and includes the following Government agencies: Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, NSW Planning and Environment, Government Property NSW, Transport for NSW, Roads and Maritime Services, Port Authority of NSW and NSW Trade and Investment. By bringing the planning and development work into one office there is one voice, one plan and one vision for Government. For information on each agency’s involvement in The Bays Precinct, see links below.

Where it’s up to: The Bays Precinct Urban Renewal Program will build upon work already commenced by The Bays Precinct Implementation Committee and The Bays Precinct Taskforce, as well as contributions from the local community made over the past years, to prepare an urban renewal strategy for The Bays Precinct.

As part of the preparation of the urban renewal strategy, The Bays Precinct Urban Renewal Program will: