Bays precinct goes from world class technology hub to tunnel construction site
IT WAS supposed to be Sydney’s answer to Silicon Valley but now The Bays Precinct will be engulfed by a major construction site for a $14 billion tunnel project, a cement plant and a massive facility to feed Sydney’s insatiable construction boom.
Inner West
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RESIDENTS who could be turfed out of their homes to make way for the Western Harbour Tunnel say they were blindsided by revelations White Bay has been identified as a construction site for the project.
Paul Cooper, who chairs the White Bay Stratas Committee representing 2000 owners and residents, said the news “came out of left field”, despite them being involved in planning for The Bays Precinct since 2005.
“We are 13 years into consultation with the Government and ... we feel this has been sprung on us. We want the Government to be honest and tell us what they’re planning,” he said.
In 2015 former Premier Mike Baird unveiled a grand vision to transform The Bays Precinct, which encompasses White Bay, Glebe Island and Rozelle, into a world class technology hub to rival California’s Silicon Valley.
In his Bradfield Oration speech, Mr Baird said: “The industrial relic of the White Bay Power Station and surrounds will be transformed into a global centre for high tech jobs and innovation. Glebe Island will transition from importing sand to exporting silicon.”
The noise will be so bad-Greens MP Jamie Parker
Mr Cooper said residents held a “crisis meeting” last Tuesday after an environmental study prepared for the Government and obtained by the ABC revealed Balmain, Pyrmont and Rozelle would be exposed to industrial noise and vibrations for up to 12 hours a day from a casting plant.
The plant would be built on wharves at White Bay to fabricate concrete sections for the tunnel, which will connect to WestConnex at the Rozelle interchange and cross under Sydney Harbour between Birchgrove and Waverton before linking up with Warringah Freeway at North Sydney.
Residents are also worried about traffic and congestion after Yurulbin Park at Birchgrove was identified as a potential construction site for heavy trucks and teams of workers.
While it does not single out locations, the study warns that where serious noise cannot be mitigated, “property buyouts” or relocation of “worst-affected residents” may be required, the ABC reported.
Balmain state Greens MP Jamie Parker said: “The noise will be so bad, it’s set to make some parts of the local area completely unliveable.”
Mr Parker was also concerned about the environmental impacts of contaminated sediment that will need to be dredged from the harbour, mostly in White Bay.
He had seen documents stating the resultant “toxic sludge” would put more than 70 threatened species at risk, including seagrasses and endangered seahorses and sea dragons at risk.
Dolphins, sea turtles and little penguins could also be impacted.
“I plan to take a delegation of local residents and strata committees to see Roads and Maritime Minister Melinda Pavey so she can hear first-hand what a devastating impact this plan is going to have on our community,” Mr Parker said.
A spokeswoman for Ms Pavey said the project will “return local streets to local communities, cut traffic congestion and deliver a new crossing of Sydney Harbour.”
“The next stage of work is expected to be completed by mid-2018 and we have always said we would come to the community then to discuss the next set of details.”
GLEBE ISLAND
Rather than becoming part of a glittering technology and innovation hub, the State Government is literally cementing Glebe Island’s role as a working port and industrial area to support Sydney’s construction boom, driven by $70 billion of infrastructure projects.
Pending approval, the Port Authority of NSW hopes to this year start construction on its massive 13,000sq m, $11-12 million “multi-user facility”, which would import, store and distribute bulk construction materials.
Now all we are getting is concrete by the tonne-Mayor Darcy Byrne
A Port Authority spokeswoman said it is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2019 and will have a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years.
A response to submissions report is being prepared on the facility, which will eliminate hundreds of thousands of truck movements on Sydney’s congested roads with a single vessel replacing between 1100 and 1500 trucks.
The Island has been a working port for more than 100 years and currently receives bulk trades such as sugar, cement and gypsum under a 24/7 operation.
Inner West Council’s Labor mayor Darcy Byrne said if the project proceeds, it would be “an abject admission from the Government that their tech plans for the inner harbour are dead in the water”.
“The Government said we they were bringing Silicon Valley to the inner west, now all we are getting is concrete by the tonne,” he said.
“First, they botched the negotiations to bring Google headquarters to the White Bay Power Station. Now they’re apparently giving up on their dream of an international technology hub and looking at a facility to process building materials 24 hours a day,” he said.
The roads are already congested-Balmain resident Kath Hacking
Meanwhile, Hanson is seeking development consent to move its concrete batching plant to Glebe Island from Blackwattle Bay to make way for the Sydney Fish Market revamp.
A spokeswoman for the cement giant said the new plant would produce up to one million cubic metres of concrete a year.
“This will future proof the concrete supply for not only the upcoming major infrastructure work but also the long-term demand,” she said.
The environmental impact statement for Hanson’s move will go on exhibition on April 4 for four to six weeks.
Balmain resident Kath Hacking felt residents who were promised urban renewal and “stunning waterfront destinations”, were now being “concreted in”.
“Glebe Island has only one access road to it—James Craig Rd—and it’s already beyond capacity,” she said.
“The roads are already congested, I don’t know how many more cars this community can take
“Land around the harbour should be protected - not built up with pollution and development.”
A NSW Government spokesman said the Berejiklian Government was still committed to the urban renewal of The Bays Precinct.
“We want to see the area revitalised as a mix of public open spaces, community and recreational facilities, as well as commercial and residential opportunities while maintaining those important working harbour uses,” he said.
“These are all being worked through as part of a whole of government process to develop a masterplan and long term delivery strategy for White Bay and Glebe Island.”
A spokesman for Roads and Maritime Services said they had been engaging with the community on the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link since the NSW Government announced the preferred route in March last year.
“To date Roads and Maritime has letter boxed more than 344,903 homes, held 16 community information sessions, door knocked nearly 2,000 homes, responded to more than 1,700 phone inquiries, and attended more than 100 community meetings,” he said.
A spokesman for UrbanGrowth NSW, the Government’s planning arm, said the power station and Glebe Island is envisaged as a mixed-use precinct with a focus on “high-value jobs of the future, port activities and a working harbour”.
“Planning for the Bays west precinct will incorporate various transport infrastructure works, an integrated transport study, port uses, and feedback from the community on open space and land uses,” he said.
What do you think? Let us know at editor@innerwestcourier.com.au.
TIMELINE
1983: White Bay Power Station closes
October, 2015: Former Premier Mike Baird uses Bradfield Oration to announe The Bays Precinct would be transformed into a global centre for high tech jobs and innovation
April 2017: Grand vision hits major roadblock when Google abandons plan to move into power station
Jan 2018: Public feedback sought on Glebe Island “multi-user facility”.
Alleged underworld killer to stand trial over ‘brazen’ shooting
An alleged underworld assassin and brothel manager will stand trial over the shooting death of a sex worker’s husband, who allegedly accused him of sleeping with his wife.
Best of the best! Top 29 Aussie schools rugby sevens girls
They have speed, physical presence, silky skills and that special X factor. Australia’s top schoolgirl sevens players have been identified and the talent is extraordinary. TOP GUNS list