Leichhardt Council slams consultation on bays precinct as a sham

June 18, 2009 CUMBERLAND COURIER
NSW Planning Minister Kristina Keneally finally announced public consultation on the future of Bays precinct on Friday but Leichhardt councillors labelled it a sham and vowed to push ahead with their own - sooner.

Ms Keneally said consultation would last 18 months and include an interactive website, public submissions and a community reference panel.

“Bays precinct includes iconic places such as Glebe Island and White Bay power station,” Ms Keneally said.

“For the first time in generations the people of Sydney can put forward suggestions for new uses for these sites.”

But she caused consternation by approving a lease for Baileys Marine Fuels $8 million refuelling facility at White Bay until 2020. She also said that a permanent home for a cruise passenger terminal would need to be found “on the western side of the harbour”. Pushed to name possible locations Ms Keneally offered White Bay, its temporary home for up to five years, or Glebe Island.

Leichhardt Mayor Jamie Parker said the community was not confident that real consultation would happen after close to $50 million of development was announced “in the same breath”.

“We’re concerned that the process would not be listening to the community but more about fulfilling the government’s view of what it will put on White Bay,” Cr Parker said.

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FERRIES AT ANNANDALE AND WEST BALMAIN

Imagine hopping on a ferry at Annandale or West Balmain and being in the heart of the city within minutes.

In 2020, we won the campaign for a Glebe ferry. Now, we have the opportunity to connect more of our area to the ferry network. New ferries at Annandale and West Balmain will provide a faster, smarter route into the city without adding to the traffic on our roads.

Both Labor and the Liberals want to build more polluting and destructive tollways across Sydney. But we have costed a comprehensive plan for a world-class public transport system that makes getting around our city fast and easy.

Dear Transport Minister,

New inner west ferry services would provide efficient, fast and environmentally sound travel to and from the area for workers, tourists, students, pensioners and the general public.

I therefore ask that the Government build on the success of the Blackwattle Bay ferry and establish a ferry service at Rozelle Bay for the Annandale area and reinstate the ferry at West Balmain.

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