Image: $14 million works to the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle will begin this month. Photo: Murphy's Remedial Builders.
By TOKS OGUNDARE
Works on the White Bay Power Station are beginning this month under a two-year, $14 million project aiming to address safety, maintenance and heritage obligations at the century-old building.
The repair works are part of a strategy finalised by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) last November to transform the Bay West area into a business, leisure and tourism hub, with the White Bay Power Station circled as “a focal point of the precinct”.
The future of the heritage-listed building had come into question in 2020 when Premier Dominic Perrottet and former Transport Minister Andrew Constance voiced their intention to demolish the site.
Mr Perrottet, who was treasurer at the time, told parliament that the power station is a “shocking building” that “should be knocked down”.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said that the proposals suggested by Mr Perrottet and Mr Constance were an “obscene threat”, adding that it would “constitute a crime against the heritage of Sydney” if carried out.
Former Planning Minister Rob Stokes quickly rejected the suggestion, shortly before the draft strategy to revitalise the precinct was announced.
The DPIE has said that works on the Heritage Listed building will “ensure that the integrity of the Power Station is maintained”.
The NSW government advised that construction hours will occur during the day from Monday to Saturday, and advance notice will be provided to residents if work is needed outside of these hours.
Further information about the project will be released by the DPIE in the coming weeks.
