Blackwattle Bay development ‘inexplicable’
The announcement of a big new maritime development at Blackwattle Bay has ruffled local feathers, with community groups saying it fails to fit with the plan for integrated progress in the area.
It was announced earlier this month that All Occasions Cruises had won the $15-20m tender to build an 18-berth charter vessel marina along the southern side of the bay, next to the Sydney Fish Markets. Also included in the tender were the rights to build a three-storey office building, function centre and café.
“The Government is stuffing around with a boring, piecemeal solution [for Blackwattle Cove] – it’s been a neglected area for years,” said Robert Gavagna, Vice-President of community group Pyrmont Progress Incorporated. “What’s happening in [Blackwattle] Bay makes no sense. You’ve got [NSW] Maritime calling for a section of Bridge Road to be redeveloped, while you’ve got the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority calling for a macro view for the redevelopment of White Bay, Blackwattle Bay and Rozelle Bay. Why would you make a piecemeal decision rather than wait for the outcome?”
President of the group, Charles Perry, said the decision came as a surprise. “This is out of left-field,” he said. “The Government set up a taskforce to look at it [the area] – it’s inexplicable in our view.”
“If you made an integrated development of Blackwattle Bay, the elements are there – the Fish Markets can be a great magnet for tourism,” Mr Gavagna said. “From what I can gather, they (the Fish Markets) are quite happy to accommodate the changes, so long as they’re not unduly inconvenienced financially.”
A spokesperson for Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said, “The Master Plan for the Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay Maritime Precincts was published in 2002 following extensive community consultation. The All Occasions Cruises proposal complies with the community consultation aspects of the Master Plan and is consistent with the proposed uses of the Precinct that are outlined in the Master Plan. I’m advised community expectations were considered in the assessment process.”
