Bays Precinct

The Next 25 Years and Beyond Forums

The NSW Government has established the Bays Precinct Taskforce to advise on a strategic framework for the Bays Precinct for the next 25 years and beyond.

You are invited to attend a series of workshops to be briefed on the Taskforce’s work to date and to contribute to the Taskforce’s report back to the NSW Government. The report is to be submitted by 30 July 2012.

The Bays Precinct Taskforce draft Vision Statement and Needs Analysis Overview - Community Consultation 1 are available for download under Related Information at right.

Located two kilometres from the CBD, Bays Precinct is a key part of the Sydney Harbour foreshore; and bounded by the suburbs of Balmain, Rozelle, Lilyfield, Annandale, Glebe and Pyrmont.

The area includes:

Glebe Island
White Bay
White Bay Power Station
Rozelle Bay
Rozelle Rail Yards
Blackwattle Bay, including Sydney Fish Market.

Originally developed as maritime industrial lands, the Bays Precinct is still used for commercial maritime activities. However it also encompasses large areas of land that may see a change of use in the next generation.

The future of such public lands is important to both local community and metropolitan Sydney. Future planning should consider local needs, Sydney's maritime economy and the strengthening of Sydney's role as a global city.

That is the purpose of the Bays Precinct Consultation; a chance to consider, now, what the Bays Precinct may be in future.Stage 1 of this consultation occurred in 2009/2010. It gathered ideas and information from the community about the future of Bays Precinct and resulted in a set of draft planning principles to shape future planning and development.

Where are we now?

In late 2011 the Minister for Planning commissioned the Bays Precinct Taskforce to review the draft principles, restart public discussion about the future of the precinct and report to government to provide a discussion paper on future opportunities and constraints within the Bays Precinct.

The Taskforce includes government agencies and representatives from local municipalities and the community.

The Taskforce has been asked to consider draft planning principles and other inputs from Stage 1, a newly commissioned needs analysis by the Government Architect, and community feedback.

Using these building blocks - expert findings, operational knowledge and community input - as the basis the Taskforce will present its report on the potential of the Bays Precinct by mid 2012.

All consultation is part of the Government's commitment to engage with the community prior to key decision-making about the Bays Precinct.