Clover Moore accused of trying to ‘bully’ government over Pyrmont proposal

The Lord Mayor claims towers up to 45 storeys tall could overshadow parks and homes at the western gateway to the CBD.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore has been accused of trying to “bully” the state government in a new offensive on plans for a desperately-needed facelift to the dreary Blackwattle Bay foreshore.

In a notice of motion by the Lord Mayor at Monday’s council meeting, she stated “there is much to be concerned about” NSW Infrastructure’s proposal which includes 1550 new homes surrounding the Sydney Fish Market in a major overhaul for the old docks.

The Lord Mayor’s position places her at loggerheads with key business groups who say the revamp will breathe new life into the area.

Her concerns centre on proposed rezoning rules which would allow the building of towers up to 45 storeys tall at the western gateway to the CBD, with the Lord Mayor claiming they’ll overshadow parks and homes in the precinct.

The new vision for Blackwattle Bay that includes 1550 new dwellings and buildings up to 45 storeys tall.

However, Tom Forrest, the CEO of Urban Taskforce advocacy group, said the council’s opposition would stymie the natural “flow” of development linked to the Sydney CBD and accused the Lord Mayor of playing politics.

“The NSW Government must resist the bullying actions of Clover Moore and the City of Sydney council,” he said.

“The Blackwattle Bay proposal represents mixed use development with some high rise, some employment uses with parklands, and community facilities along the waterfront.

“This is a good model for Sydney’s development and Clover Moore is just trying to play politics prior to the council elections.”

The plans for the existing Sydney Fish Market site will revitalise Pyrmont and open it up as western gateway to the CBD.

The Lord Mayor returned fire, saying “the State Government must resist the bullying actions of self-interested property developer groups like the Urban Taskforce”.

“When it comes to housing, the State Government can either listen to the community or listen to the powerful development lobby,” she said.

“I support revitalising Blackwattle Bay to deliver a vibrant and sustainable place that maintains public access to Sydney’s iconic harbour that will help stimulate the economy and aid our recovery from Covid-19.

“However, this is already a densely populated area. Any new development should be sensitive to and enhance the character of Pyrmont and prioritise employment growth with clear public benefits.”

The plan would see new public open space and a foreshore promenade.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes threw his support behind the project, saying “you couldn’t pick more appropriate locations” for new homes.

“We need to boost housing supply in both built-up and new areas,” he said.

“It’s not a case of just creating satellite cities further on the urban fringe. We also need new housing closer to the city. And that requires less NIMBYism and more YIMBYism.”

In her motion, the Lord Mayor also flagged “planning control changes” as a key concern, which she says will allow the NSW Government to deem the area a “public authority precinct” like Barangaroo and Darling Harbour and enable them to make planning decisions outside the normal planning processes.

The City will instead push to review the state government’s design for the precinct.

Business groups threw their support behind the proposals.

“Developing Sydney’s CBD westward is a logical and beneficial step to growing the CBD economy, especially as we emerge from Covid, to create new business opportunities and jobs, while retaining the historical nature of the western harbour foreshore,” Damian Kelly of Business Sydney said.