The NSW Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.
The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct – a connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart.
The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 homes – including a minimum of 10% affordable and essential worker homes – and open public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.
Located minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis, said NSW Premier, Chris Minns.
“The establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line,” said the Premier.
“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.
“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”
The Bays West Delivery Authority, an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.
“The new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb,” said Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper.
“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.
“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”
The Authority will soon launch the Bays West International Design Competition, which it says will ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start.
The competition will deliver an urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of this former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential neighbourhood.
The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.
It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.
The successful team will play an ongoing role in the development of the precinct.
