Media release
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne
The announcement by the NSW Government that the Bays Precinct will be redeveloped contains big public benefits that Inner West Council has been advocating for decades.
Council has fought long and hard for the reopening of the Glebe Island Bridge, public access to the foreshore across the Bays Precinct, and the conversion of White Bay Power Station into a premier cultural venue. All of these are delivered in the plans the Government has released today.
A new ferry service will also complement the Bays West Metro Station and make the precinct accessible by multiple forms of transport.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said that the successful redevelopment of the precinct is a massive opportunity that can only be realised if all of these public benefits are delivered alongside the proposed new housing.
Mayor Darcy Byrne said, "Inner Westies will be delighted at the news today. For decades, we have fought for the reopening of Glebe Island Bridge to pedestrians and cyclists. This announcement is the culmination of that fight. Connecting the Balmain Peninsula directly to the CBD with an easy ten-minute stroll is the key to bringing the whole Bays Precinct to life."
"In order to make this whole development stack up, the Government needs to get moving on delivering this much-needed connection. There's no need to wait for the design and construction of the new housing for the bridge to be delivered. We'll be pushing hard to have it expedited and won't stop until it's actually open.
"It was only a few years ago that the former Government was planning to put the wrecking ball through White Bay Power Station. Having successfully saved the site, this new power station forecourt, connected to the harbour, will guarantee its future as one of Australia's premier cultural destinations.
"Crucially these thousands of new homes, and the precinct as a whole, must be integrated to and not segregated from Balmain and Rozelle. We've got a thriving community there already.
"This must be more than just new housing; this can be and must be the renaissance for Balmain. We've got to get it right – and that means ensuring there is the infrastructure and spaces to make it a liveable, accessible and welcoming area for the whole community, including those who will choose to call it home in the future.
"The new public access to harbour foreshore land will also enable us to create the great Bays Precinct Walk which we had proposed to the Government. This can become one of Sydney Harbour's great public walkways and attractions.
"The world's best harbourside land demands a world-class development and the Inner West Council will be working hard to make sure local knowledge and expertise is drawn on every step of the way.
"With the formation of the new Bays Precinct Authority, Inner West Council will be advocating for the inclusion of local representatives on the body to ensure local voices are heard."
