Elizabethan tragedy looms

BY ANDREW WOODHOUSE

Sydney Harbour was first attacked by Japanese midget submarines during World War II. At midnight on 31st May, 1942, it became a war zone. Twenty one sailors were sent to a watery grave in the Kuttabul ferry where they’d been sleeping.

Now our landmark harbour, and the jewel in Sydney’s crown, is under attack again; this time from within.

In 2011, the Jones Bay marina expansion tripled its size to berth 73 vessels, causing outrage. Ms Stuart, President of the Pyrmont Community Group, said: “The over-use of the harbour is now out of control… we would like to see views to and from the harbour preserved.”

In 2012, community anger boiled over amidst a controversial $25 million expansion plan for a ‘super-yacht marina’ in Rozelle Bay. It was feared the area could turn into a large-scale entertainment hub.

Glebe Resident, Mark Dent said: “They’ve renamed it a yacht club; it really is an entertainment centre … to be used for live bands and entertainment … open until midnight every night, with live music … outdoors every day until 8pm before heading indoors.”

In 2013, the Rose Bay marina DA for 46 new vessels was rejected by the Land and Environment Court. It was opposed by locals on the basis of loss of public vistas and public access, and increased maritime and vehicle traffic.

In 2015 the City Hub reported that, “A decision on the future lease of the Elizabeth Bay Marina has been further delayed after Supreme Court proceedings…  (the lessee) was evicted late last year and is suspected to have business links to father and son duo, Eddie and Moses Obeid, found corrupt in ICAC findings.”

Sydney MP, Alex Greenwich called for a transparent process and said: “Elizabeth Bay Marina is a public asset, and should be leased for community benefit.”

Now Road and Maritime Services (RMS) has lodged their own proposal over which they are the decisions-makers, creating obvious conflicts of interests. Three options were proposed. They say Option 2 was preferred, although exact voting details are murky.

Its latest mega-version on exhibition, over 1,000 pages of baffling banter said it must go ahead.

Doesn’t RMS really stand for Rape My Suburb?

Loss of public vistas and breezeways; increased traffic problems because the marina has no direct public access; noise, rumours of a wedding reception centre and nightclub; and Captain Cook Cruiser wharf are all magically waved away in its report.

The design looks like a school shelter shed but, surprise, surprise, does not show its full height in tricky photo montages. The RMS claims paradoxically this “subtle design” will have minimal impacts, cause no adverse heritage impacts, with the scheme “maintaining a scale similar to the current facility.”

However, closer examination shows there will be a new marina five times its current size in total and more than twice the current height at 6.1 metres high – entirely “unsubtle” I say. But wait, there’s more: new king-size berths for three 12 metre-boats; four new 15-metre super-yachts boats; and four new 20-metre cruisers. Captain Cook Cruisers are 22 metres and hold 120 passengers each, an inconvenient truth and alternative fact.

The proposed chandlery is vast alongside a 45-square metre party pad and cafe holding 60 people.

So now a new, additional floating pontoon wharf is also proposed in the plans to handle all this waterway confusion. No 3-D model is provided.

Tell ‘em they’re dreaming, I say.

Even their own heritage expert noted “changes may affect how the area is accessed.” You betcha. He adds: “The site has … local social and historical significance.”

Kay Papapadopolous, Convenor, Elizabeth Bay Residents’ Society, is more strident: “It will bring high volumes of traffic and people into a quiet residential area. The parking is unsatisfactory… the present marina fits in with the small and intimate surroundings, which is also surrounded by heritage sites. It is not clear where facilities for repairs will be.”

So just how is complete demolition of the heritage, wharf with its barnacle encrusted original wooden pylons, justified if only minimal maintenance is required? You decide.

Community consultation sessions will be held:
Saturday 11 March from 10am–1pm Beare Park, Ithaca Road, Elizabeth Bay (or Reginald Murphy Centre if wet).
Wednesday 15 March from 6pm–9pm Reginald Murphy Centre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Elizabeth Bay or phone  13 12 36 or email elizabethbay@rms.nsw.gov.au
Plans can be viewed at Sydney Council’s Neighbourhood Centre 55 Darlinghurst Road Kings  Cross or online  http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/sydney-inner/elizabeth-bay/
Alex Greenwich MP: Sydney@parliament.nsw.gov.au