Sydney To Get Silicon Valley-Style Tech Hub In Bays Precinct

The NSW State Government has released plans to earmark the former industrial Bays Precinct, which includes White Bay, Glebe Island and Rozelle, for a redevelopment into a tech and innovation hub.

White Bay Power Station will be reborn as a hub for knowledge-intensive industries and there will be a continuous waterfront promenade from Balmain to Pyrmont, NSW Premier Mike Baird and Planning Minister Rob Stokes announced recently.

Mr Baird also announced that a Request For Proposals for the adaptive re-use of White Bay Power Station and surrounding waterfront will commence next week.

Mr Baird said the Bays Precinct Transformation Plan identifies how the inner harbour precinct in and around Sydney Fish Market, Rozelle Bay, the White Bay Power Station and Sydney waterfront will be revolutionised.

“This plan showcases the NSW Government’s ambition for The Bays Precinct to drive an internationally competitive economy by creating destinations on Sydney Harbour that will generate space for high-tech jobs and sustainable homes of the future,” Mr Baird said.

“White Bay Power Station has the potential to be a hub for knowledge-intensive jobs in new economy areas, while providing an opportunity to restore the heritage building and provide public access to the foreshore.

“The plan will unlock The Bays Precinct’s enormous potential, returning this prime harbourfront land to the community and providing wonderful new waterfront destinations and public spaces.”

Mr Stokes said the plan was informed by more than 200 submissions to the ‘Call for Great Ideas’ process and feedback from the community following a discussion paper released at the Sydneysiders Summit earlier this year.

“This plan has been developed in collaboration with the community and urban transformation specialists from across Australia and around the world,” Mr Stokes said.

“We will deliver a mix of uses such as public space, housing and employment.

“Highlights include plans for a new waterfront fresh food market and dining district, a five kilometre waterfront promenade from Balmain to Pyrmont and the repurposing of the White Bay Power Station.”
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UDIA NSW Chief Executive Stephen Albin said, “It’s exciting that the rubber is about to hit the road on this major transformation project after more than 20 years of stagnation around Bays Precinct plans.

“The collaborative approach taken by the NSW Government is to be commended with input from community groups, residents and industry adapted into the final plan in what appears to be a balanced and practical way,” he said.

“New facets captured within the roadmap also support intelligent future planning including the integration of Wentworth Park into the plan, and bringing forward Glebe Island and White Bay.”

Mr Albin said the State Government’s Request for Proposals for the renewal of the White Bay Power Station and surrounding waterfront is to be commended, and he anticipates industry will show keen interest in opportunities.

“The design principals that will accompany the two urban renewal land parcels at the White Bay Power Station and surrounds are broad enough to encourage new and innovative development and the creative adaption of public space,” he said.

“What’s being presented here is an opportunity to create never-before-seen spaces to further strengthen Sydney’s position as a world-class destination."