Sydney's White Bay to become innovation hub

NSW Premier Mike Baird has revealed plans to transform the formerly industrial Sydney Bays Precinct into a Silicon Valley-style technology hub.

The White Bay Power Station and the surrounding area will be turned into a hub for knowledge-intensive industries, he said.

The coal power plant opened in 1917. It was decommissioned in 1983 and is now a heritage site. The government will next week issue a request for proposals to re-use the waterfront precinct.

“White Bay Power Station has the potential to be a hub for knowledge-intensive jobs in new economy areas, while providing an opportunity to restore the heritage building and provide public access to the foreshore,” Baird commented.

“The plan will unlock The Bays Precinct’s enormous potential, returning this prime harbourfront land to the community and providing wonderful new waterfront destinations and public spaces.”

He said the government’s vision for the power station is a precinct where start-ups, business incubators and accelerators can work with global innovation leaders, helping Australia compete in the emerging digital economy.

This plan was informed by more than 200 submissions received as part of a call for ideas for transforming the area.

Image courtesy of Jes under CC