S.O.S. call
For children living near White Bay, ‘Stevie the Stingray’ is a favourite attraction. His babies, who can be seen frequenting Dawn Fraser Baths, have grown to the size of dinner plates. But the peace, tranquility and good health of Balmain’s foreshore environment is under severe threat from the Bailey’s development – itself a symptom of an incoherent planning policy, which has left local residents and representatives wringing their hands in frustration.
Simultaneously, momentum is now building against another long-running foreshore dispute. An already-imposing alliance of residents, councils, politicians and conservation groups was this month joined by voices in the cruise industry – notably Carnival Australia’s – in opposing the movement of the cruise passenger terminal from Barangaroo to White Bay.
But for independent Leichhardt councillor John Stamolis, who has spearheaded the S.O.S. – ‘Save Our Shores’ – campaign, the two issues are not merely linked, but inextricably tied to the Bays Precinct masterplan. Despite being undermined by a series of State Government decisions virtually from the moment it was announced, Cr Stamolis sees a functional masterplan as essential to protecting the future of the foreshore.
“The key aspect is to go back to where we were in 2007, to the White Bay masterplan commitment by the Premier which wasn’t seen through,” he said. “Similarly, in 2008, when we had the independent government hearing into Bailey’s, their final conclusion was that it shouldn’t be approved before the masterplan. We need to get back to that as the fundamental planning for the White Bay wharves.”
Cr Stamolis’ call has attracted broad support from throughout the political spectrum. Liberal councillor Gordon Weiss likewise regards the completion of the masterplan as a priority. “I remember, four years ago, Verity Firth waved a piece of paper, supposedly signed by Morris Iemma, to say there would be a masterplan,” he said. “Keeping on demanding the masterplan is the only way to stop these individual projects.”
But despite the State Government’s apparent reticence, Cr Stamolis is upbeat about the potential of community pressure. “The submissions have just been taken for the cruise terminal EA (Environmental Assessment), and there’s a strong possibility it will be overturned,” he said. “High-profile groups all over Sydney are saying this is the wrong decision, in the wrong place, at the wrong time – so it can be defeated. I feel strongly that the State Opposition are behind us and that, if they win the election, they will overturn that absolutely ridiculous decision to relocate it at White Bay.”
With the battle against Bailey’s reaching what its opponents concede is a critical phase, that pressure is set to manifest itself in a public rally on Sunday, November 28, featuring Leichhardt Mayor Jamie Parker and environmentalist Jack Mundey. The march will begin at Balmain’s Loyalty Square at 9.30am and move to Ewenton Park, on the shores of White Bay. Leichhardt Council is providing a free sausage sizzle, while local businesses will offer specials, coffee and refreshments, and competition prizes.
