Community victory at Jones Bay Wharf

The scale of the Jones Bay Wharf development has been decreased following a volley of objections from local residents and businesses.

The initial plan to add an expansive marina on the eastern and western sides of the wharf was overturned when residents and businesses complained they had not been notified or consulted on the plans.

Local Resident David Boddam-Whetham said it was a “big win” getting the number of boat spaces reduced in the plans, but that there were more appropriate spaces for 45-metre vessels elsewhere in the harbour.

Two commercial boats up to 45 metres in length will be able to use the twin berths at the tip of the wharf, but there is no regulation on what type of boat will be able to use them.

“They belong further up near Glebe Bay where the infrastructure is there,” Mr Botham-Whetham said.

The two berths will allow two large commercial vessels to dock parallel to the eastern tip of the wharf.

Mr Botham-Whetham said if boats of that size were to dock at Jones Bay Wharf, they could be seen as far away as the Harbour Bridge.

“When you come underneath the bridge and look up Parramatta River, you see Balls Head to the right and Balmain on the left and the finger wharfs on Darling Harbour.”

“That’s the presentation for international visitors to harbour,” he said.

Local resident Damien Hawcroft said the development will alter the area’s heritage and look.

“What you’ve got to think about is the wharf area is something that connects with Sydney Harbour,” he said.

At the time of writing, Mr Hawcroft said: “On the east side of the wharf right now there’s a sailing boat that’s magnificent.”

But he said that longer boats are usually taller.

“They could park a commercial boat that‘s 45m long and three storeys high.”

Mr Hawcroft said while he does have a business office in the Jones Bay Wharf complex, his views will not be affected should large boats be able to dock at the proposed pontoon.

“This…is a heritage listed building and like a lot of heritage listed buildings it’s very finely balanced in terms of looks and usage.”

The development will leave the eastern side of Jones Bay Wharf mostly unchanged from its current configuration.

By Simon Anderson