Minister for Planning Pru Goward announced the NSW Government is embarking on developing a new vision for Sydney Harbour, with a new high level committee to bring together various stakeholders and provide much-needed coordination.
“Sydney’s harbour and foreshore is our city’s number one asset. We cannot rest on our laurels – the foreshore deserves a plan for the future,” Ms Goward said. “Ownership of property on Sydney Harbour’s foreshore is like a patchwork quilt. For years there has been no government body with clear responsibility for managing all the different interests, or developing a clear vision for the future.
“That is why a committee is being established to have over-arching responsibility for developing a vision for the foreshore, and bringing together all the agencies and entities which have an interest, for the benefit of every Sydneysider,” Ms Goward said.
The Committee will be made up of the heads of key Government agencies, and will be independently chaired by former long-term and respected senior public servant, Les Wielinga.
The Committee will work with the community and stakeholders to develop a strategic vision for the foreshore, including key precincts such as The Rocks, Circular Quay, Barangaroo and Millers Point.
The new high level Committee will be chaired by Mr Wielinga, and be comprised of the secretaries of various government departments. Mr Wielinga will report back to Government with his recommendations for the future of SHFA in 2015.
Mr Wielinga will also be leading the new vision for Sydney’s Harbour’s foreshore through his appointment as board chair of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA), which was originally established in 1998. He has been tasked with reviewing the functions of the organisation, and identifying any potential for reducing duplication of service delivery.
“One of the challenges of developing a new vision for the foreshore is the variety of property owners, and the level of duplication. It is imperative we move forward with the appropriate, expert agencies delivering services they are expert in providing,” Ms Goward said.
RESOURCED: http://sourceable.net/new-vision-sydneys-harbour/
29 Aug 2014
