Cockatoo Island masterplan earmarks hotels, swimming pools and restaurant
A masterplanned vision to transform Cockatoo Island has been revealed, with plans to attract thousands of visitors. See the vision here.
Inner West
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The former convict jail at Cockatoo Island is set to be transformed into the “vibrant heart” of Sydney Harbour, with high-end restaurants, a public swimming pool and hotel.
The Sydney Harbour Trust has unveiled a new masterplan on November 1 to turn the heritage listed Cockatoo Island into one of Australia’s “premium tourist spots”.
Among its new renovations, the UNESCO World Heritage site will see the campgrounds moved to create a parkfront along the waterline, a public swimming pool and access to the harbour for kayaks and other small, non-powered boats.
The plan will be available for public comment from today until December 13, with harbour trust’s Executive Director Janet Carding, hoping it could become the next big tourist attraction in Sydney.
“Cockatoo Island (or) Wareamah is the jewel of Sydney Harbour, and our vision is to reconnect the island and its precincts into the cultural fabric of Sydney,” she said.
“Our aim is that by improving public access, and the range of experiences you can have, we can attract more to the site and establish the island as a place of significant local and international visitation.”
The development looks to attract hundreds of thousands more visitors as visitor numbers are relatively low compared to other sites across Australia, according to the trust.
A boost in accommodation is planned, with a former industrial building to be converted into a hotel that can widen the accommodation options to include children and families.
“(The hotel) is a long-term proposal, consistent with statutory Management Plan and international precedent for a World Heritage place,’ the plan said.
“It will be developed in stages over 10 plus years as visitation to the island grows.”
The proposal also includes a restaurant and cafe area to help bolster visitors.
“As a part of a wider food and beverage strategy implemented over time and in partnership to support growing visitor numbers and experiences across the island,” the plan said.”
Public drop-in session are available from November nine.
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