JOINT STUDY ON WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT IN ASIA AND PACIFIC 1996
JOINT STUDY(with The AUSTRALIA) REPORT
DARLING HARBOUR
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Brief Overview
The Darling harbour project comprises 60 hectares of land and water adjacent to the western perimeter of Sydney's CBD.
The genesis ('I' the project was similar to many other waterfront prccincts - functional obsolescence of a major rail sea goods interchange in the 1950's and 1960's brought about by technological change, i.c. thc introduction of containcrisation for shipping, changed modes of transportation for the wool industry, and thc phasing out of Sydney's tramway system.
While functional obsolescence is a normal factor in city growth, the critical element in
Darling Harbour was that a full spectrum of land uses became redundant simultancously. Natural regeneration did not occur because of the cost and scale of infrastructure required.
The stage was set for a comprehensive redevelopment of the area.
After a series of investigations by the Sydney City Council and the NSW Government, the Government was advised in 1983 that the degree of functional obsolescence at Darling Harbour was so great that the private sector would be reluctant to) become involved until there was a visible demonstration of Government commitment to thc area. Such a commitment would need to include specific development projects, along with total clearance of thc site and provision of new services.
The Government had already committed itself to three major projects in thc locality at a cost in excess of $100 million an Entertainment Centre, Powerhouse Museum and an Institute of Technology. The Government also wished to construct exhibition and convention facilities close to the city.
On I May 1984, the Premier of NSW announced thc decision to comprehensively redevelop Darling Harhour. A range of major public facilities and private developments were nominated, together with a harbourside park and foreshore promenade. The project was to be super fast-tracked to become the centrepiece of the State's bicentennial prograin for 1988.
Legislation establishing the Darling Harbour Authority came into force on 29 September 1984. The Authority was charged with servicing thc comprehensive redevelopment of the Darling Harbour Development Area. It was given exceptionally strong powers to control all development and to acquire private land. All public lands were vested in the Authority with no compensation payable.
Thc Authority was also empowered to construct and operate a wide spectrum of tourist, commercial, entertainment, retail and recreational facilities. In reality, most of these facilities were built by the private sector under lease arrangements. with the Authority. The Authority's construction role was limited to infrastructure and services, parkland, promenades and bridges, a major ear park, the F.xhibition and Convention buildings and a number of small public amenity buildings.
