FAQs

Q. Where is Bays Precinct?

Bays Precinct is an area of land and bays around the Anzac Bridge in inner western Sydney. It is bounded by the residential suburbs of Balmain, Rozelle, Lilyfield and Annandale to the north and west, and by Glebe, Ultimo and Pyrmont in the south and east. To the south, there are large areas of open space along the Glebe foreshore.

This 80-hectare site, located just two kilometres west of the Sydney CBD, includes the following:
• Glebe Island
• White Bay
• White Bay Power Station
• Rozelle Bay
• Rozelle Rail Yards
• Blackwattle Bay, including Sydney Fish Market.

Q. What is involved in Bays Precinct consultation process?

The Bays Precinct consultation process will be undertaken in two stages. In the first stage, information and ideas will be gathered from the community and industry to assist in establishing a set of draft planning principles for the area, in particular Glebe Island, White Bay and White Bay Power Station. Through this consultation process, the community has the opportunity to directly influence the future look and feel of the precinct.

In stage two, the draft planning principles will be exhibited for comment and feedback from the community. This feedback will be used to finalise the planning principles, which will guide all future planning processes, such as master planning for the precinct.

Q. What is a planning principle?

Planning principles set the scene for future planning and development in an area.

The planning principles for Bays Precinct will need to consider local and broader community needs, views of key stakeholders and other industry and Government agencies.

The planning principles will include the following themes:
• land use e.g. commercial, residential, maritime working harbour, entertainment and arts
• open space and parkland
• traffic and transport
• pedestrian and cycle access
• views, vistas and other amenity aspects
• environment and ecologically sustainable development
• heritage.

Principles that may be considered include:
• preserving Sydney’s working harbour
• improving public access to the foreshore
• improving transport links, including public transport options to service new or proposed land uses
• ensuring the preservation of items of heritage significance.

Q. What is happening in Bays Precinct in the short to medium term?

A number of short term activities are currently underway in and around Bays Precinct related to working harbour uses, the construction of the Sydney Metro and the relocation of the cruise passenger terminal from Barangaroo. For more information about these activities see the Bays Precinct brochure.

Q. What is happening in Bays Precinct in the long term?

A number of long term activities are currently underway in and around Bays Precinct. For example, recreational commercial uses will continue in Rozelle and Blackwattle Bays, including the super yacht marina and dry boat storage, as well as a small amount of marine contracting businesses.

Additional land for construction of the Sydney Metro will be required within Rozelle Rail Yards. A stabling yard, maintenance depot and operation control centre to service the Sydney Metro will be constructed within the Rail Yards, and this use will continue in the long term.

For more information about these activities and other long term activities see Bays Precinct brochure.

Q. What is going to happen to the existing land uses within Bays Precinct?

Bays Precinct has an existing role in providing a land/water interface for commercial maritime activities. As one of the last deepwater berths in Sydney Harbour, it is important to recognise that the area will have an ongoing role in Sydney's maritime economy.

Q. Why does the community consultation process focus on Glebe Island, White Bay and White Bay Power Station?

While White Bay and Glebe Island are constrained for any redevelopment in the short to medium term, in the long term there are no land uses determined for these areas. As White Bay Power Station is currently disused, there are no impediments to its future use being decided now.

At Blackwattle and Rozelle Bays however some water-based activities will need to continue well into the future. For example, recreational commercial uses will continue in Rozelle Bay, including the super yacht marina and dry boat storage centre, as well as marine contracting, salvage and repair, vessel repairs and maintenance, NSW Maritime safety and harbour cleaning fleets.

Additional land for construction of the Sydney Metro will be required within Rozelle Rail Yards. A stabling yard, maintenance depot and operation control centre to service the Sydney Metro will be constructed within the Rail Yards, and this use will continue in the long term.