Calls For Community Consultation Over Bays West

Some locals have criticised the Minns Government’s vision for housing at Bays West, calling for more community consultation — whilst the agency in charge says that residents are being given plenty of chances for feedback.

High-rise towers are to be built in a new suburb extending from Rozelle Bay and the White Bay Power Station eastward across a dramatically redeveloped Glebe Island. The development is slated to deliver 7,000 to 8,500 new homes, with a Metro station opening in 2032. At least 10 per cent of these homes are to be classified as either affordable or essential worker housing in perpetuity.

A public meeting was held at Balmain town hall on 29 September by local advocacy body the Better Future Coalition. Attendees resolved to reject the current plans for the site, calling for the Government and the Inner West Council to consult residents before any further steps are taken.

Group warns of foreshore being “lost forever”

Better Future Coalition member Dom Quigley later told the City Hub, “there has been a complete lack of consultation with residents, and the idea of running a competition for developers to submit their preferred development proposals is no substitute for engagement with local residents.”

Quigley said that the scale of development “is completely at odds with surrounding areas, particularly along the Balmain peninsula.”

“Once handed over to developers, this jewel will be lost forever.”

“Dereliction of duty” not to provide public housing, says MP 

Greens Balmain MLA said that the Minns Government “has a responsibility to ensure that the large swathe of publicly owned land at Bays West delivers real public benefit as they look to develop the area into a new precinct.” 

“At this stage, the Government is planning to deliver a measly 10 per cent ‘affordable housing’ and no public homes on the site. In a housing affordability crisis of this scale, that is a total dereliction of duty.”

“The community has made it clear that they expect this land to be used to deliver homes people can actually afford to live in. Without significantly more public and social housing, it is going to become an enclave for the rich.”

“For both the state government and the Inner West Council, public consultation has become a box ticking exercise for decisions that have already been made.”

“Local communities understand local conditions and can bring invaluable insights when planning our neighbourhoods of the future.”

Council “will be advocating” for affordable housing

An Inner West Council spokesperson said that it “has fought hard over many years to secure important public benefits from the Bays Precinct redevelopment.”

The spokesperson referenced plans for the reopening of the Glebe Island Bridge for pedestrians, the creation of a new ferry wharf, and public access to the foreshore; and the recent transformation of the White Bay Power Station into an arts venue.

“These are all things the Inner West put on the table as non-negotiable, and which we have fought hard to win.”

“The proposed 10 per cent affordable housing component of new homes in the redevelopment is a good first step, but Council will be advocating for that to be strengthened and expanded.”

Sydney needs more housing, says Bays West agency

A spokesperson for the Bays West Delivery Authority said that locals are being given opportunities to have their say.

“Extensive community feedback was received during consultation on the Place Strategy and Stage 1 Master Plan in 2021–22. Community consultation will continue next year as part of the Master Plan process, providing further opportunities for people to help shape the precinct’s future.”

“At a time when more young people are leaving Sydney than moving here, we need more housing to keep them here. Bays West will help meet that challenge while creating new parks, waterfront access and community spaces for future generations.”

“The final housing mix, including opportunities to support greater housing diversity, will continue to be considered through detailed planning.”