The NSW government has opened a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the adaptive re-use of White Bay Power Station, as part of the Bays Precinct.
The RFP is part of The Bays Transformation Plan, which will see White Bay Power Station as a centrepiece for the transformation of The Bays Precinct.
UrbanGrowth NSW held an industry briefing on the RFP on 30 October 2015, at the White Bay Power Station forecourt, presenting the detail, process and criteria for the RFP to the property industry and interested stakeholders. Over 300 people registered to attend the briefing.
The Request For Proposals is offering the overall site in two parts: firstly, the abandoned Power Station Site, which is a State heritage listed building, and a second site, comprising two lots, which is intended to deliver a precinct that supports and is ancillary to a knowledge-intensive jobs precinct. The balance of the site will be retained in public ownership and form part of the Bays Waterfront Promenade and reserve.
The lot containing the existing White Bay Power Station will be offered on the basis of a 50 year leasehold interest from practical completion of the Power Station restoration, with the remaining two development lots to be offered for freehold sale.
Besides the redevelopment of the power station, the project also involves developing and activating its forecourt, which extends to the water’s edge.
The Bays Transformation Plan seeks to create a knowledge-intensive jobs hub at White Bay Power Station, with the target of delivering 100,000 square metres of commercial floor-space allocated across technology, education, health and creative sectors.
Parts of the building will need to be engineered and developed for public access.
Winning contractors may also work with government agencies to create a variety of public transport options, as well as improving walking and cycling connections to existing transport networks.
UrbanGrowth NSW Chief Executive, David Pitchford said White Bay Power Station is a recognised landmark in The Bays Precinct, and thus it is a priority project to transform the building and its surrounds.
“From public feedback in the transformation process so far, we know that there is a strong community connection to the White Bay Power Station and, as a result, social and cultural outcomes and continued public access to parts of the building are non-negotiable,” Mr Pitchford said.
“White Bay Power Station also featured strongly in the Call for Great Ideas, with approximately one-third of all submissions relating to this Destination and its potential to accommodate knowledge intensive jobs, together with public access to the heritage building and foreshore.
“We believe a re-imagined White Bay Power Station will be the centrepiece and catalyst for the economic transformation of the Bays Precinct through the creation of a research and employment hub focused on the technology, education, health or creative industries.”