Sydney Harbour walk may be blocked by McMahons Point boatshed plan
The owners of a waterfront site with enviable views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge have outlined building plans which could prevent the foreshore between Blues Point and McMahons Point being linked.
The owners of a waterfront site with enviable views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge have outlined building plans which could prevent the foreshore between Blues Point and McMahons Point being linked.
The owners of the former boatshed at Henry Lawson Reserve have lodged a $3,531,000 development application with North Sydney Council to return the site to its trading days.
David Wilkenfeld, also known as David Fox, and Jozette Hazzouri want to demolish the old shed and have a new one with a home at the top in a 12.9m structure.
Mr Wilkenfeld runs dance supplies business Bloch International and has tried before to build a similar structure.
Neighbours, the council, and the Land and Environment Court have refused the plans.
Lavender Bay resident Ian Curdie is one of those against the latest application.
“It’s the same principle at stake,” he said. “There is the possibility to link the park and this wreck of a building is standing in its way.”
Lavender Bay precinct committee chair Robert Stitt expected residents to rally.
“This issue strikes a raw nerve with our community,” he said.
The state government has long been interested in acquiring the property to create a continuous foreshore.
This would allow people to walk the foreshore between Blues Point and McMahons Point.
Currently they must walk around the site along Henry Lawson Ave.
Mr Curdie said access should be improved.
“This is one of the jewels of the city. It’s on the most marvellous harbour,” he said.
Mr Wilkenfeld and Ms Hazzouri say they have tried to negotiate the sale without success.
The latest application does not say how it differs to the last.
Mr Wilkenfeld and Ms Hazzouri have again said they would restore the slipways as part of the project.
These are heritage-listed due to the site’s boat building history. The shed has no heritage value.
Mr Wilkenfeld bought the site in 2009 for $750,000. It has not been used since.
Attempts to contact the owners were unsuccessful.
The council is accepting submissions from the public until February 4.
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