from
Steve Kamper MP
Minister for Lands and Property
Minister for Multiculturalism
Minister for Sport
Minister for Jobs and Tourism
27/07/2026
Thank you for your correspondence to the Hon Paul Scully MP, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces on behalf of your constituents regarding Bays West precinct. As this relates to the Lands and Property portfolio, your correspondence was referred to me.
This redevelopment is a major opportunity to return the land to the people of NSW, while helping address Sydney’s housing needs and creating a vibrant new suburb, minutes from the CBD.
Centred on White Bay Power Station, Bays West will further develop as a new arts, culture, nighttime economy and entertainment precinct. The project will deliver between 7,000 and 8,500 new homes, and is close to transport, jobs and services. At least 10 per cent of these homes (700 to 850 dwellings) will be set aside in perpetuity for affordable and essential worker housing.
Public access and open space are at the heart of the project. More than 25 per cent of the 77 hectare precinct- an area around three times the size of Barangaroo-will be dedicated to parks, open space and waterfront connections for the community.
Bays West is being planned as a Transport Oriented Development precinct, anchored by a new metro station and existing infrastructure. Earlier proposals would have delivered only around 250 homes, which was insufficient to respond to housing demand. The Government has therefore taken a different approach, prioritising long term public benefit over short term revenue. No revenue from the precinct is included in the NSW Budget, and the Government expects to invest more in infrastructure than it will receive in returns.
The Government recognises the strong community interest in social and affordable housing at Bays West. It is committed to delivering at least 10 per cent of homes as affordable and essential worker housing in perpetuity, while also ensuring the precinct can support the infrastructure, open space, transport connections and
broader renewal needed to create a well-serviced and liveable community. The final housing mix, including opportunities to support greater housing diversity, will continue to be considered through detailed planning.
The final design, scale and staging of the precinct will be refined through detailed master planning and an international design competition, alongside continued engagement with stakeholders and the community.
The Blackwattle Bay Precinct, which includes the former Sydney Fish Market site, was rezoned in December 2024. The rezoning included an affordable housing contribution of 7.5 per cent of total floorspace in the Precinct. The contribution applies to both residential and non-residential floor space. The 7.5 per cent contribution aligns with the District Plan target of 5-10 per cent of residential floor space and was supported by the Department, Council and other stakeholders. The
7.5 per cent also aligns with the City of Sydney’s affordable housing program, where the City of Sydney has a target that 7.5 per cent of private housing will be affordable housing.
Both of these precincts will play an important role in delivering more homes, opening up the harbour and shaping Sydney’s future. I look forward to continuing to work with the community as planning progresses.
About 100 letters addressed to Minister Paul Scully asking for the Government to consider using more of this land for public housing. The response is very disappointing. GG