Decision details

Moved by Councillor Thalis, seconded by Councillor Scully -

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          a number of State Significant developments are proposed for Glebe Island that have the potential to adversely impact on the amenity of Pyrmont and other inner harbour residents, including:

(a)        construction of a new concrete batching plant, being assessed by the Department of Planning and Environment; and

(b)        the construction of a multi-user port facility to import building materials by ship, being self-assessed by the NSW Port Authority;

(ii)         operation of the White Bay Cruise Terminal will continue alongside the approved construction staging site for WestConnex and the future Western Harbour Tunnel;

(iii)        the City of Sydney is not the consent authority for Glebe Island and White Bay as they are located in the Inner West Council Local Government Area;

(iv)       City of Sydney residents have expressed strong concern and opposition to the proposals, including the cumulative impacts of development on Glebe Island, White Bay, Blackwattle Bay and the Pyrmont foreshore;

(v)         the City’s submissions to the Department of Planning and NSW Port Authority raised issues about the potential amenity, noise and traffic impacts on residents from these developments;

(vi)       on 30 August 2018, the Lord Mayor met with representatives of the Jackson’s Landing Action Group to discuss their concerns about the future impacts of these developments on residents in the area;

(vii)      Councillor Jess Scully and I have hosted a number of community meetings over the last 12 months about development affecting the area attended by residents, Inner West Councillors and staff, the State Member for Balmain and the State Member for Sydney;

(viii)     on 28 August 2018, Inner West Council passed a Motion recommending that the City and Inner West Council collaborate on a response to the NSW Government that raises major community concerns about Glebe Island and White Bay and any other issues identified by the two Councils; and

(ix)       in 2015, UrbanGrowth released the Bays Precinct ‘Transformation Plan’ detailing their ambition for the Bays Precinct. The proposed developments signify a departure from the Plan, which identifies Glebe Island as a potential technological and innovation campus; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)          liaise with relevant staff at Inner West Council to discuss the proposals for Glebe Island and what support the City of Sydney can provide to Inner West Council;

(ii)         report back, via CEO update, on the discussions with Inner West Council and the appropriate response to NSW Government that reflects the community concerns and any other issues identified; and

(iii)        provide copies of the City’s submissions on the concrete batching plant and multi-user facilities to Inner West Council.

Carried unanimously.

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