Community Groups angry over latest Bay Precinct report

Community groups are furious over the latest Bay Precinct report from the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

The latest report followed extensive community consultation and community groups around the Bay are angry their views aren’t represented.

Members of Pyrmont action group said the report had no strategy.

“It is little more than a summary of comments and sources, with no clear recommendations on the way forward”

“It was hopeless,” said Elizabeth Elenius, convenor of Pyrmont Action Group.

The Glebe Society urged other community groups to yell their discontent at the Government.

“The report does not move the strategic agenda forward in any significant way.

Community groups who participated in the stage one process felt that the Government had responded in a very limited way to their work and their recommendations.”

The Glebe Society is worried the lack of community views and strategy in the report means the future of the Bay Precinct will be decided ad-hoc.

During the community consultation process last year, one of the core submissions by community groups was a recommendation against ad-hoc planning.

Minister for Planning, Brad Hazzard has responded by promising community involvement on the Bay Precinct taskforce.

“For the first time, City of Sydney and Leichardt Councils will be represented on the Bays Precinct Taskforce.”

“This Government will rebuild confidence through genuine participation with local councils.”

Mr Hazzard had previously promised community groups he would involve a ‘community representative’.

The minister refused to comment on who that representative will be and how they will be elected.

Community Groups around the Bay have greeted this news as welcome progress.