NSW: Sartor approves East Darling Harbour revamp plans

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2007
NSW: Sartor approves East Darling Harbour revamp plans

By Kim Christian and Vincent Morello

SYDNEY, Feb 10 AAP - Sydney's East Darling Harbour will be rezoned for redevelopment
before the March election, NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor says.

Revealing concept plans for the 22-hectare redevelopment site today, Mr Sartor said
he had approved the East Darling Harbour plans yesterday.

The plans envisage 300,000 square metres of offices, units and hotels would be developed
next to parkland, along with enhanced port and passenger terminal facilities.

Opposition Leader Peter Debnam today promised a three-month review of the redevelopment
proposal if he wins the March 24 state election, after business groups yesterday slammed
the opposition's original idea of dumping it.

Mr Sartor said he feared the opposition still planned to scrap the proposal and threaten
up to 30,000 jobs.

"While the dogs keep barking the caravan moves on," Mr Sartor said.

"I think these are wonderful investments and they're going to go forward with the strictest
controls, and we'll see a new standard of quality emerging."

The government had not ruled out the the use of light rail in the area.

Mr Sartor said former Premier Bob Carr had telephoned him about a foreshore development
issue at Rose Bay, but he did not say whether Mr Carr had pressured him to review the
East Darling Harbour proposal.

Mr Debnam said he was pleased Mr Carr was tackling the government over protecting Sydney harbour.

"For 12 years Labor has sold off every square inch of the foreshore they can," he said.

"They've established either high-rise apartments or high-rise office blocks, and that's
exactly what we're seeing at East Darling Harbour."

But Premier Morris Iemma said Mr Debnam's policy would cost 1,000 jobs at Port Kembla
or potentially cause the jobs to be lost to Brisbane or Melbourne.

"Mr Debnam's policy is one in which it is anti-jobs, anti-investment, anti-growth and
anti-access for the people," Mr Iemma said.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating weighed into the debate today, issuing a statement
saying the government's consultation and planning competition had put Sydney in a good
position to save the the East Darling Harbour precinct for posterity.

"Minister Sartor and his officials have chosen to wisely interpret the winning schematic
laid down under the Hill Thalis entry," Mr Keating said.

He said Mr Sartor's proposals included the ingredients of leadership, imagination and courage.

AAP krc/arb/jl/de

KEYWORD: POLLNSW DARLING NIGHTLEAD

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