Maritime Heritage Precinct – Marina Review of Environmental Factors Roads and Maritime Services | January 2019 BLANK PAGE Maritime Heritage Precinct – Marina Review of Environmental Factors Roads and Maritime Services | January 2019 Prepared by NGH Environmental and Roads and Maritime Services RMS 19.1161 Copyright: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of NSW Roads and Maritime Services. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of NSW Roads and Maritime Services constitutes an infringement of copyright. Document controls Approval and authorisation Title Maritime Heritage Precinct - Marina Review of Environmental Factors Accepted on behalf of NSW Anthony Johansson Roads and Maritime Services Director – Maritime Projects by: Signed: Dated: Executive summary This document is a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the Maritime Heritage Precinct – Marina in Pyrmont Bay as required under Division 5.1 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). The purpose of this REF is to describe the Proposal and its potential impact on the environment and to detail the protective measures (safeguards) that would be implemented during construction and operation. The Proposal Roads and Maritime Services (Roads and Maritime) proposes to construct a marina consisting of two new wharves, pontoons and a Small Vessel Marina next to the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) in Pyrmont Bay (the ‘Proposal’). The Proposal would accommodate a variety of vessels, including the operational vessels of the Sydney Heritage Fleet (SHF), together with the SS South Steyne and other visiting vessels. Key features of the Proposal would include: • Construction of two high capacity wharves including: o North Wharf – about 135 metres long by 10 metres wide with a 2,000 tonne capacity o South Wharf – about 149 metres long by 10 metres wide with a 6,000 tonne capacity • Construction of a pontoon next to Wharf 7, referred to as the Wharf 7 Pontoon • Construction of a Small Vessel Marina between the North Wharf and the South Wharf for smaller vessels • Decommissioning of the existing Pyrmont Bay Ferry Pontoon including demolition and removal of the existing ferry wharf concrete approach deck and gangway and removal of piles and the ferry bumper guard • Construction of a new Pyrmont Bay Ferry Pontoon at the end of the new North Wharf • Partial demolition and reconstruction of sections of the southern boardwalk and removal of timber piles for the construction of the North Wharf and South Wharf • Construction of steps down to the water near the boardwalk • Installation of fenders • Installation of wharf furniture including lighting, gates, seating, shade structures, bins and signage • Construction of an electrical kiosk in Pyrmont Bay Park connecting to the Proposal • Connection of other services from land to the Proposal including water, fire, communications, compressed air, security and sewer • Provision for future installation of an oily water separator • Relocation and permanent berthing of the operational vessels of the SHF in accordance with the Bays Precinct Strategy • Berthing of a variety of vessels including the SS South Steyne and other visiting vessels. Transport for NSW would continue to operate the Pyrmont Bay Ferry Pontoon. Roads and Maritime would establish an agreement with ANMM for the lease of the Proposal. The ANMM would then establish a Maritime Heritage Precinct (MHP), which would include: • Opening of the SHF and visiting vessels to the public, including associated public programs (such as interpretation and guided tours). When combined with the ANMM’s national collection, this would create the largest fleet of heritage vessels in the southern hemisphere • Establishing ANMM operations (ticketed visitation to the vessels and other public programs, events and festivals) Maritime Heritage Precinct – Marina i Review of Environmental Factors • Operation of the SS South Steyne as a multi-use function centre including functions and events with live music, food and beverage and museum purposes (weddings, education, exhibitions, lectures and events). Consent for the ANMM to operate the Proposal as a MHP, including museum operations and opening of the vessels to the public by the ANMM and SHF, and the use of the SS South Steyne for functions, would be subject to a separate approval process and environment assessment. Operation of the MHP is not the subject of this REF. Need for the proposal As part of the NSW Government’s Bays Precinct Strategy, the SHF would be relocated from Rozelle Bay to free up key assets at the Bays Precinct to enable its full development (including Sydney Fish Markets). Currently the SHF and its historical collections are not available for the enjoyment and education of the general community. The privately-owned SS South Steyne, the only vessel on the State Heritage Register, also requires a permanent berth. The SS South Steyne was moved from its berth in Cockle Bay in 2016 and is currently temporarily berthed in Berry’s Bay. The NSW Government (Roads and Maritime) in collaboration with the ANMM identified the opportunity to develop a marina to respond to the likely displacement of the SHF from Rozelle Bay and the need for a permanent home for the SS South Steyne. The Proposal would consolidate the SHF, the SS South Steyne and the ANMM heritage fleet in a location that would (subject to a separate approval for museum uses) support their long term viability by generating revenue and improving public exposure. Proposal objectives The operational objectives for the Proposal include: • Provide a high capacity marina able to accommodate various vessel sizes. It is intended that the Proposal would provide a permanent home for the operational vessels of the SHF together with the SS South Steyne and a calendar of visiting vessels • Provide capacity for visiting vessels up to 6,000 tonnes • Be fully flexible and suitable for a range of uses including maritime festivals • Maintain the Pyrmont Bay Ferry Pontoon. Detailed Proposal objectives, including minimising potential impacts on safe navigation and on the environment, and urban design objectives have also guided development of the Proposal. Options considered Four options were considered for the Proposal. These were: • Option 1 – Do nothing • Option 2 – Construct a marina including two high capacity wharves only • Option 3 – Construction a marina including two high capacity wharves and pontoons • Option 4 – Construct a marina including pontoons only. The preferred option was Option 3 which best meets the Proposal objectives and the needs of the future use of the marina as a MHP. Four options were also considered for the location of the Pyrmont Bay Ferry Pontoon with each option considering two pontoon orientations for berthing. The proposed North Wharf was selected as the preferred option with an orientation to enable berthing on either side of the pontoon. The preferred option would Maritime Heritage Precinct – Marina ii Review of Environmental Factors minimise impacts on navigational safety, future use of the marina as a MHP and addresses consultation feedback provided by Transport for NSW. Statutory and planning framework The Proposal is a “wharf or boating facility” within the meaning of State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 (ISEPP). Clause 68(4) of the ISEPP permits development for the purpose of wharf or boating facilities to be carried out by or on behalf of a public authority without development consent on any land (other than land reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974). As the Proposal is for the purpose of wharf or boating facilities and is to be carried out by Roads and Maritime, it can be assessed under Division 5.1 of the EP&A Act. Development consent from council is not required. Roads and Maritime is the determining authority for the Proposal and has prepared this REF in satisfaction of its duty under section 5.5 of the EP&A Act, which provides that a determining authority, in its consideration of an activity, shall examine and take into account to the fullest extent possible all matters affecting or likely to affect the environment by reason of that activity. Community and stakeholder consultation Consultation with stakeholders and surrounding residents and businesses was carried out in May and June 2018 during the design development phase of the Proposal. Information about the Proposal was provided via meetings, presentations, letters, workshops and design reviews. These stakeholders included government agencies, ferry and vessel operators, Pyrmont Bay Action Group, Gateway Building residents, Sydney Wharf apartments, utility companies and neighbouring businesses including Harbourside shopping centre, The Star Casino and the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Workshops were also held with key stakeholders in Darling Harbour about navigational safety. Key issues raised during consultation included potential impacts on residential amenity, increased congestion of the waterway, reduction of the navigable waterway, increased risk of vessel collisions and congestion of roads and parking during construction and operation of the Proposal. These issues were considered and assessed in developing this REF. Benefits The Proposal is expected to deliver the following benefits: • Provide facilities and infrastructure as a permanent home for the SHF and the SS South Steyne that are available to the general public and which would contribute to Australia’s