The New South Wales government has announced plans for Bays West, a new inner-city suburb in Sydney designed to introduce up to 8,500 new homes and provide public waterfront access to Glebe Island for the first time in over a century. The development will transform government-owned land between Rozelle Bay and White Bay, located approximately 2km to 4km from Sydney's central business district.
NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that the project aims to provide residents with proximity to work, services, and transport, and emphasized the inclusion of affordable housing for essential workers from the outset.
Project Overview
The Bays West development is planned directly above the under-construction Bays Metro station. Key features of the project include:
- Housing: Up to 8,500 new homes, with at least 10% (a minimum of 700 homes) designated as affordable housing for essential workers. Affordable housing is defined as costs less than 30% of a household's gross income.
- Public Space: 25% of the land will be allocated for open public space.
- Land Ownership: The land is publicly owned and is intended to remain so.
- Timeline Context: The announcement follows decades of discussions, with the Bays Precinct Taskforce first convened in 2007. The precinct was designated an accelerated transport-oriented development (TOD) in 2023, allowing for six-storey developments within 1,200 meters of new metro stations.
Port Operations and Relocations
To facilitate the new housing and public areas, industrial port operations on Glebe Island will be modified:
- Glebe Island Changes: Bulk port operations, including the handling of cement, gypsum, and sugar, are scheduled to cease on Glebe Island by 2030. The 1970s industrial silos visible from the Anzac Bridge will be removed, as their adaptive reuse was deemed unfeasible.
- Port Kembla Investment: The state government is investing $270 million into transport infrastructure at Port Kembla, south of Sydney, to support the relocation of some departing bulk port operations to that area.
- White Bay Consolidation: Deep water port facilities capable of accommodating naval ships will be maintained at White Bay. Some Glebe Island port operations, such as salt handling, will be relocated and consolidated within White Bay. The White Bay cruise terminal will continue its operations, which currently accommodate over 100 mid-sized and luxury cruise ships annually. Shore-power facilities are being installed at the terminal to mitigate potential noise and emissions.
Community and Cultural Elements
The development plans also include new cultural and community infrastructure:
- White Bay Power Station: The White Bay Power Station is slated for conversion into a cultural and community destination.
- Event Staging: A new staging area will be constructed in White Bay for major events, including New Year’s Eve fireworks and the Vivid festival.
- Maritime Heritage: The Sydney Heritage Fleet will be offered new premises within the area.
Implementation and Perspectives
A delivery agency is expected to be established to oversee the rezoning, port operations, and development processes. An international design competition is planned to guide the precinct's design.
NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that the project aims to provide residents with proximity to work, services, and transport, and emphasized the inclusion of affordable housing for essential workers from the outset. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey affirmed that the project utilizes publicly owned land for the benefit of New South Wales residents and maintains public ownership for future generations. Paul Scully, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, described the plan as a "renewal" effort.
Paul Garrett, Deputy Secretary of the Maritime Union Australia Sydney branch, expressed concerns regarding the relocation of port operations, characterizing it as "rushed and wrong" and lamenting the potential loss of a working port. He also questioned White Bay's capacity to absorb all proposed activities.