Unions warn the next NYE fireworks could be Sydney’s last

The Maritime Union of Australia has slammed the NSW government over a shutdown threat to Glebe Island port and has linked arms with an industry coalition to save the iconic facility.

Fireworks seen over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge during New Year’s Eve celebrations last New Year’s Eve. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

The Maritime Union of Australia has slammed the NSW Government over a shutdown threat to Glebe Island port and warned Sydney that the next New Year’s Eve fireworks could “be the last”.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the MUA has approached Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey to argue against the port’s potential closure to make way for high-rise apartments.

“It’s the wrong move for a Labor government,” MUA Sydney branch deputy secretary Paul Garrett said.

“This is no different to the proposed workers compensation changes. It’s a bad idea and it should be withdrawn.

Construction material shipped from Adelaide for unloading at Glebe Island port. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“It’s concerning that this is where the NSW Labor government is seeking to go. We’re calling on the government to abandon any plans to close down the port.”

The MUA has confirmed it will link arms with the Working Port Coalition — an alliance of business and industry organisations — to fight for the port’s survival, leading one insider to say: “It’s an unusual issue that brings unions and industry together so much that they’re on the same page.

Maritime Union of Australia official Paul Garrett. Picture: Dylan Coker

“It shouldn’t be lost that everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet … virtually on a unity ticket.”

There is growing speculation that the government has dragged its feet on a final call about Glebe Island port until it knew whether Rosehill Racecourse would be sold.

Australian Turf Club members voted on Tuesday not to proceed with a $5 billion proposal to sell off the track to make way for a 25,000-home mini-city.

The Premier expressed his disappointment at the result and foreshadowed moving to a Plan B to help ease Sydney’s housing crisis, one he said “not everyone will love”.

Despite the now widespread resistance to residential development at Glebe Island, those close to the issue fear that Plan B is the harbourfront site, near the Bays Metro station opening in 2032.

“If that happens, we’re going to lose wharf space that will never become available again,” Mr Garrett said.

“And if you want to talk about NSW tourism … well, we should all enjoy this New Year’s Eve around the harbour because it will be the last … there will be nowhere to prepare the fireworks in future.

“That staging area will be gone and if you look around the harbour there is nothing left. Everything else has been turned into real estate.”

Fireworks during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

Mr Garrett said hundreds of unionised jobs could be lost among the 5000 direct and indirect jobs at risk across myriad industries.

“Glebe Island is also used by the Navy as a lay-up berth and a staging berth for their ships, which is part of our national defence,” he added.

“There’s also no small tug or barge wharf space on the harbour so what we’re effectively going to see is the end of the working port in Sydney Harbour. The history will be gone.”

Coalition spokesman and Business Sydney boss Paul Nicolaou said the port had injected $29 billion into Sydney’s economy over the past 30 years.

“Once lost, it’s gone for good,” he said, adding an independent report by Urbis found closing Glebe Island would be a $25 million to $30 million hit to the NSW economy every year.

A NSW Government spokesman said: “Addressing the housing crisis is the NSW Government’s number one priority and the decision by ATC members not to sell Rosehill has not changed that.

“We are getting on with the job of building homes for renters and people wanting to enter the housing market. 

“Separately, a review is currently being conducted that will inform the future of Glebe Island Port.

“Extensive consultation with stakeholders has taken place and the government will have more to say when the review is complete.”

Originally published as Unions warn the next NYE fireworks could be Sydney’s last