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The place
Ballast Point is a 2.6 ha former-industrial site on the Balmain peninsula, previously used by Caltex Australia as an oil and grease terminal. In 2008 the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority will construct a new foreshore park for the people of Sydney, transforming the site into a new green headland on Sydney Harbour.

The location
Ballast Point is an east-facing headland on the Birchgrove peninsular in the inner west of Sydney, approximately seven kilometres from the CBD. Neighbouring suburbs are Birchgrove and Balmain.

The proposal
The proposal is to transform Ballast Point into a new harbourside park for the people of Sydney. The park will interpret the site’s history, maximise panoramic views, feature a range of open spaces for all ages to enjoy and provide greater public access to and from the water.

This is an exciting project that Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority is proud to be managing on behalf of the NSW Government.

Project status
Following 4 years of consultation, planning, design and remediation, construction of the new park commenced in February 2008 with completion expected within 12 months.
The Foreshore Authority has appointed Landscape Solutions Pty Ltd as the primary contractor to construct Ballast Point Park.

Background
A comprehensive community consultation process for Ballast Point commenced in 2003. The master plan for the site incorporated outcomes of the community consultation process and was adopted by the Minister for Planning on 26 September 2005.

The Ballast Point Park Master Plan can be downloaded from the Resource Centre of this website.

A Major Project Application was approved, by the Minister for Planning, for construction of the park in August 2006.  The Major Project Application can be downloaded from the Resource Centre of this website.
In 2006 – 2007 Caltex Australia remediated the site to remove contamination resulting from its industrial use. The remediated site was returned to the Foreshore Authority in February 2008.

Property details
Size: 2.5 hectares
Zoning: Open Space

Planning details

• State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) No. 55 (Remediation of Contaminated Sites) SEPP (Major Projects) 2005
• Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (SREP) Sydney Harbour Catchment REP 2005
• Local Environmental Plan (LEP) Leichhardt LEP 2000
• Major Planning Requirements & Approvals
  The master plan for the site was adopted by the Minister for Planning on 26 September 2005.
• The Major Project Application for the site was approved by the Minister for Planning on 12 August 2006.

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority's commitment to community consulation
When designing Ballast Point Park, the Foreshore Authority was committed to gaining a full understanding of the range of public views on the transformation of Ballast Point and to finding ways to allow all key community groups and stakeholders to participate in the consultation process. The aim was to ensure the best possible design outcome for the site.

The Foreshore Authority developed a Community Consultation Process to allow members of the community, and other interested stakeholders, to gain an understanding of the alternative design solutions for the harbourside park and to have a direct input into how planning guidelines for the park would take shape.

The Foreshore Authority conducted a number of different activities including site tours, workshops, information sessions and regular updates using established community networks. These activities provided a number of opportunities for the community and other stakeholders to be involved in the planning phase.
This community input is reflected in the design and principles of the adopted Master Plan.

Questions and comments

If you have any questions about construction activities occurring on the site you can contact Landscape Solutions, 24 hours/ 7 days a week, on 0425 268 007
For non-construction matters please contact Tom Kennedy from Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority on 9240 8500 during business hours.

Last updated: 10 April 2007