A proposal to build harbor housing on Sydney Harbor has come under fire from critics who fear it will ruin the city’s biggest events.
Glebe Island is facing a redevelopment after the NSW government commissioned a report to assess whether properties should be built around a new Bays Metro station.
Banks Events producer and project manager Adam Huie said the development would disrupt major events such as Vivid and the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
“Sydney has one of the best fireworks shows in the world,” he told Daily Telegraph.
“But the event could not be held as it is currently without the Glebe Island facility.”
“People have spent years trying to figure out how to deliver New Year’s Eve fireworks if Glebe Island suddenly became unavailable.”
The 260m dock space on Glebe Island allows cranes to load fireworks onto barges which then head across the harbor for the fireworks show.
Vivid included a drone show this year that was only possible after organizers were able to use the dock to build a barge and install equipment.
A proposal to build residential apartments on a harbor in Sydney Harbor has come under fire from critics who fear it will paralyze the city’s major events.
Glebe Island is facing a redevelopment after the NSW government commissioned a report to assess whether homes could be built around a new Bays Metro station.
Huie has more than 30 years’ experience coordinating aquatic events and warned more celebrations, such as Australia Day, the Sailing GP and Opera in Harbour, were at risk.
The Sail GP event relies on the island to house 120 containers of parts needed to build the racing boats.
Huie said the organization delivers essential cargo to docks near the race venue in all international cities where the event operates.
Australian Tourism and Transport Forum independent chief executive Margy Desmond said the port city excels at hosting events but needs a stable platform to support them.
That platform, he said, is Glebe Island.
Event experts have rejected suggestions to use alternative ports, including Port Botany, Port Kembla or Newcastle, to load barges for events.
Conditions at the port mouth and other complications reportedly make the proposal unsustainable.
Business Sydney chief executive Paul Nicolau said the island was vital to the city’s economy, culture and tourism.
“The idea that fireworks and other major events could be in jeopardy is really alarming,” he said.
Events group bosses have not yet come to terms with the loss of the critical Glebe Island facility.
They are waiting for the publication of the full report, scheduled for before the end of the year.
Huie said the report had baffled event organizers.
The Port Authority, which manages the venue, has shown strong support for maritime events at the port.
Organizers hope their support can quell the residential rumors contained in the report.