The plan to use White Bay Power Station to fix Sydney’s live music crisis

Sydney’s White Bay Power Station has gone from ugly duckling to new jewel in the city’s cultural crown in one art show, with a key council urging the NSW government to convert the once derelict building into a permanent live performance and concert venue.

Inner West Council unanimously voted on Wednesday night to call for live music to be programmed at the power station and for the site to be declared a special entertainment precinct, like that at Enmore Road.

Japanese artist Maru Yacco inside White Bay for the Biennale of Sydney.Credit: Steven Siewert

“It would be so good to see Jimmy Barnes belting out Working Class Man in the same space where generations of power workers toiled away,” Mayor Darcy Byrne said.

Corporate director of the business-backed Committee for Sydney think tank, Matt Levinson, backed the idea, saying the lack of live music venues was particularly dire in Sydney. He said White Bay Power Station could also be used for much-needed production and rehearsal spaces.

“The site has some real quirks – the artefacts of White Bay’s industrial heritage are what makes it a special site to program creative work in, but they also put some limitations on the types of programming that are possible,” he said.

“We absolutely agree this enormous site should be a centre for creative culture – performance spaces like the old dance hall that opens to Victoria Road and the huge halls of the old power station are perfect for live performance, but this site also has the potential to help address perhaps the largest issue facing the creative sector – affordable spaces for production.”

The interior of the power house control room.Credit: Tim Bauer

More than $100 million has been invested in White Bay’s restoration and remediation to rid it of asbestos, lead dust, and pigeon droppings, and replace rusting metalwork and broken glass, since it was decommissioned in 1984.

The building made its public debut as an arts venue for the 24th Biennale of Sydney. With weeks left until it closes, the government says it is “open to all ideas” and is preparing to trial different uses for the site beyond the Biennale.

A lyric theatre on the site has been all but ruled out by theatre owners and producers for its expense and location outside the CBD.

London’s Ministry of Sound has announced two dates in August and September, showcasing an international line-up of DJs to celebrate the golden era of clubbing and reignite a public passion for vibrant late-night cities.

The site will also host events normally held at the Cutaway in Barangaroo while it undergoes refurbishment until late next year.

Inner West Council has written to Arts, Music and Night-Time Economy Minister John Graham asking him to fast-track approval for the conversion of the former power station into a live performance, concert and multi-arts venue.

John Graham said the potential of the White Bay site was incredible. “At this stage, we’re open to all ideas as the government trials several new cultural uses of this site,” he said.

Business NSW’s executive director Paul Nicolaou said the idea of making the former White Bay Power Station a live music venue had merit and should be seriously considered.

Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne is pushing for White Bay Power Station to be a new venue for live music. Credit: Dean Sewell

“However, a broader view of the Bays precinct needs to be taken into account including maintaining the working harbour elements of the area. It would need to be determined how competing suggestions fit into the bigger picture.”

Levinson from the Committee for Sydney said it had been a joy to watch homegrown acts like Vv Pete get a rare stage in front of big audiences alongside the Biennale artworks.

“What we should be having is a big discussion about how we use this space, especially with the new Metro station opening up a quick and easy link to the west – let’s make sure all these and more bold ideas are on the table as options for this once-in-a-generation space.”

Spaces within special entertainment precincts receive greater protection from unreasonable noise complaints, and permit an extra hour of trading for venues that host live music, and small-scale artistic and cultural events without the need for a development application.

The precinct centred around the Enmore Theatre has been credited with helping the area bounce back to life post-COVID restrictions, with new bars and restaurants opening up.

Live Performance Australia’s Evelyn Richardson said her organisation would welcome any steps that help provide a greater diversity of spaces for rehearsal and presentation of live performances, which she said was proving to be a challenge for artists and performers in all major cities.

Byrne, the mayor, said: “Having advocated for so many years to have the power station converted to an arts and cultural venue, it’s vital that we continue to progress this vision beyond the Biennale.”

Placemaking NSW is seeking feedback on medium-term activities and long-term uses for the building.

Early responses suggest the public is excited by the possibilities and would return for high-quality experiences and exhibitions, educational and interactive experiences as well as accessible family-friendly activities.

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