Locals disappointed over ‘failure’ to consult on marina proposal

Pyrmont residents and businesses have raised concerns over what they believe has been a flawed consultative process regarding a proposed expansion of the Jones Bay Wharf Marina.

The proposal submitted by property developer and hotelier, Toga Group, plans to significantly expand the marina to house 73 commercial vessels from the current 43 by increasing its existing waterway lease boundary and the berthing space from 492m to 1435m.

President of the Pyrmont Community Group, Jean Stuart, cited a lack of community consultation and action by the City of Sydney Council in addressing locals’ objections as a major cause for concern.

“The consultation process has not adequately addressed the local community,” she said. “We had hoped that the Council would stand behind us on this issue.”

Ms Stuart pointed to recent correspondence between the Council and the PCG, including a letter from Lord Mayor, Clover Moore which stated that “the City had no objection in principle to the application” and broadly supported the proposal, despite at least 365 objections and responses to the development application.

On two occasions the Council referred the PCG to the NSW Department of Planning on the basis that it was the consent authority for the application.

While the Council’s planners acknowledged the requirement for an “appropriate standard of design” in order to mitigate noise, traffic, view and heritage impacts, members of the local community feel that Toga’s submission was not adequately examined.

The marina expansion is being assessed as a major project under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. Accordingly, the Minister for Planning is responsible for its ultimate approval and the DA is ordinarily assessed by the NSW Department of Planning.

“The over-use of the harbour is now out of control.  There has been a huge land-grab and we would like to see views to and from the harbour preserved,” said Ms Stuart.

“I believe it is unprincipled to hand over large tracks of public water space we should all have the right to enjoy to private pleasure crafts.”

Toga – a 99-year lessee of Jones Bay Wharf – proposes to send out a community newsletter and hold an open day at the wharf on 6th March. It has developed a web site to garner feedback on the development via an online questionnaire and will prepare a response from the questionnaire for the Department of Planning.