27 March 2013
The Bays Precinct with its extensive areas of underutilised land needs a Private Public Partnership approach so that some port use, new development and public domain improvements can all occur says the Urban Taskforce.
The government has responded to a Taskforce composed mainly of local government and state government representatives and not looked at the potential for the private sector to help fund improvements. says Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson. The government has gone down the PPP route at Darling Harbour and the valuable land at Glebe Island and White Bay could take the same approach.
The media releases on the outcomes of the Taskforces deliberations focus on child care, community and cultural spaces, sporting fields, recreational and open space. Someone needs to pay for these facilities and appropriate development on leasehold land can provide all of these community gains without the government contributing its scarce funds.
The bulk aggregate and cement works can be accommodated in the corner of the site next to the existing silos. Clearly the vast areas of empty land demonstrate that port uses do not need all of the space.
The White Bay Power Station has been sitting empty for the last 30 years and without a viable private sector use it will remain empty for another 30 years. The hope of a cultural facility using the space is unlikely to be realised with the Opera House, Art Gallery of NSW, and the Cultural facility at Barangaroo all wanting funds.
Many fear the private sector getting involved in government assets and hope that the good old days of governments funding all projects will return. Around the world a new partnership between governments and the private sector is leading to quality solutions that dont send governments into debt.
