By Paola Totaro
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on October 22, 1994
The old piers and wharves at Walsh Bay are to be transformed into a new arts precinct for Sydney, containing a 1,800-seat lyric theatre, performance space, studios and waterfront apartments, under a new plan being considered by the NSW Government.
A scene from Walsh Bay finger wharves on May 2, 1994.Credit: Peter Rae
The multi-million-dollar redevelopment project would also provide a new harbourside walkway between Darling Harbour and Circular Quay and expand the successful recycling of piers 4 and 5, now the home of the Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company.
It is understood the plan, proposed by the Chief Executive of FAI Insurance, Mr Rodney Adler, has been placed before the Premier and a detailed — but as yet undisclosed - costing and feasibility study has already been prepared by the Melbourne company, Staged Developments Australia.
The designs, which cover the entire Walsh Bay area from Millers Point to Dawes Point, show a 160-room boutique hotel on piers 6 and 7. The old bond stores would be redesigned for a restaurant, commercial and retail complex.
The lyric theatre and 600-seat performance arts space would be built inside piers 2 and 3 with apartments and a sports club on piers 8 and 9. Further housing may be built on the vacant northern ends of the site.
The plan recommends that car parking be contained in the lower levels of existing and new shoreside buildings.
Last night the Premier, Mr Fahey, said the Government was preparing to call for expressions of interest for redevelopment of the Walsh Bay precinct.
“The area has been long neglected and essentially forms a missing link between Darling Harbour and Circular Quay, he said. “The Office of Economic Development has now established an interdepartmental working group which will consider a range of issues associated with the proposed redevelopment.
Pier one, Walsh Bay on June 1, 1994.Credit: Staff photographer
“Walsh Bay is an historic area of Sydney Harbour and should have been redeveloped many years ago. The most recent attempt was derailed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Carr.”
It is understood that Mr Adler and Mr Fahey met earlier this month to discuss the plans. While the Government is believed to like the project, the area is owned by the Maritime Services Board and administered by a number of government departments.
The FAI proposal states that Walsh Bay’s excellent location by the harbour and adjacent to the CBD has “lain dormant for too long”.
The paper suggests the precinct’s under-use not only presents problems for conservation of heritage buildings but represents a continuing loss of an important development opportunity.
“The germ of this opportunity is contained in the highly successful development of piers 4 and 5 as the home for the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Dance Company,” it states.
Rodney Adler of FAI Insurance pictured on February 8, 1994.Credit: Steve Christo
The plans specifically exclude Pier One, which has been converted into a tourism outlet and is covered by an existing lease, and Bond Store 3, which is earmarked for a new Aboriginal cultural centre.
The plan is described as a conservation strategy to protect the wharves and create a new “mixed use precinct focusing on the arts and residential accommodation”
Urban planning and the future of Sydney’s central business district have become important community issues during the past year and it is understood the State Government is keen to put its stamp on this area in the run-up to the March election.
Details of the Walsh Bay proposal have been revealed just a couple of days before the Government will formally open a public exhibition providing options for a multi-million-dollar facelift of Circular Quay.
This may include a landscaped and tree-lined walkway on a lane of the Cahill Expressway and a redesign of the area near Customs House to open up views and lessen the visual impact of the railway station and ferry terminals.
Questionnaires are to be distributed for community submissions on the Circular Quay plans and the responses will form the basis of an urban design competition.