New plan a welcome addition to Sydney’s housing calamities
Premier Chris Minns has announced a massive development plan for two of Sydney's waterway suburbs.
THE announcement on Tuesday of a major new development in Sydney’s inner west has been labelled a “significant contribution” to housing supply.
Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest welcomed NSW Premier Chris Minns announcement of 8500 new homes in the White Bay and Rozelle Bay areas of Sydney.
“There is no better case for a transport-oriented development than in this very location, with the new Metro station opening at Bays West in 2032,” Forrest said.
“The Fish Market has been moved to its wonderful new home in Blackwattle Bay. The old Fish Market site is being transformed.
“And this announcement completes the picture with a sensible compromise-solution that will preserve those industries essential for the maintenance of the working harbour.
“And see the end of the bulk port operations that have blighted our city for so long.”
“The 8500 new homes, with up to 10 per cent being affordable housing, represents a significant contribution to housing supply.”
While there is a lot more to be done, this is the “Plan B” that the Urban Taskforce has been calling for since the collapse of the Rosehill Gardens deal.
“Even the ugly concrete hardstand will be transformed, with a safe area preserved for fireworks and a revitalised international passenger terminal included in the new plans.
“Urban Taskforce welcomes the Government’s rejection of the selfish and myopic voices that were calling for the preservation of bulk port operations for concrete and sugar in the area.
“The independent report undertaken by former Treasury head Michael Schur appears to have been the final nail in the coffin of this knee-jerk opposition to the transformation of our harbour.
“The same voices opposed the development of Darling Harbour in the 1980s.
“They opposed the transformation of Cockle Bay and Walsh Bay in the lead up to the Sydney Olympics.
“They opposed development of Barangaroo and they demanded the preservation of industrial uses adjacent to the old fish markets.
“White Bay was their last hurrah and they have been comprehensively vanquished.”
Forrest said, with the Western Harbour crossing soon to be completed and the Western Sydney Metro well on the way, the daily traffic pressure on the Anzac Bridge will be eased.
“The establishment of a new delivery Authority reporting to the can-do Minister Steve Kamper is also welcome and will create an imperative for delivering the vision,” Forrest added.
