Community against White Bay development

Two hundred residents packed into Balmain Town Hall last Monday to voice their opposition to the Sydney Ports Authority development, which would create a cruise ship terminal and function centre at the mouth of White Bay.

Leichhardt Councillor John Stamolis said the White Bay precinct needs a master plan, not a cruise ship terminal.

“It is absolutely inappropriate for a high-density residential environment,” he said. “The best thing you can do for the harbour foreshores is make them look like the beautiful front yard of Sydney.”

Among residents’ concerns are the impact of the terminal on traffic flow, decreased visibility, and noise from the function centre, which will operate until midnight.

Councillors and residents are angered that recommendations of an independent review have been ignored. The review, commissioned by Premier Barry O’Farrell, was in response to a 15,000-signature petition organised by Leichhardt Council.

“The views of the independent hearing have not been listened to. They recommended that the function centre be entirely abandoned, and Sydney Ports is just proceeding willy-nilly,” the councillor said.

A committee led by Leichhardt Mayor Rochelle Porteous will meet today to begin a campaign asking O’Farrell to personally intervene.
“We’re discussing options for how we can show the level of community concern, and it is huge,” Cr Stamolis said. “There is to be no terminal, no function centre, and we need a master plan to guide the future of the foreshores.”

Not all members of the community are against the proposal. After decades of inaction many simply want the area to be utilised again. Member of Glebe Island White Bay Community Liaison Group, Elizabeth Elenius, remains supportive of the terminal.

“It makes no sense to locate it at Barangaroo … the topography at White Bay is quite different. And with the removal of the existing shed, views are likely to improve in some areas of Balmain.”

Residents at White Bay and Pyrmont could also benefit from a ferry service to Circular Quay, she said. However, at this stage that remains outside the parameters of the proposal.

“They are proposing almost no public access, little to no landscaping, no proposed ferry service, significant loss of parking in Roberts St and increased numbers of heavy vehicles through local residential streets,” Ms Porteous said.

Although the terminal is certain to go ahead, the Council will continue to engage with the Premier and will distribute flyers to residents within coming weeks.

BY Michael Koziol