A PLAN to move a busy commercial marina to a spot almost under the Anzac Bridge has upset Pyrmont residents who want the undeveloped land used as public waterfront space.

Locals are also concerned that the site, close to housing on Bank St, will allow party and harbour cruise boats up to 48m long to dock until 1am.

In submissions to planning authorities, those opposed to the project said noise will come from a boat sewage pump-out facility as well as the delivery of food and drink for the charter vessels and the collection of garbage.

Currently the Sydney Heritage Fleet has a valid development application (DA) on the vacant land owned by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) allowing for a small museum, boat restoration workshop, a meeting room and berths for 12 boats.

The proposed marina, will have room for 22 vessels and is considered a temporary relocation lasting 10 years.

media_camera A view across Blackwattle Bay towards the Sydney Fish Markets. Picture: John Grainger

UrbanGrowth lodged, on behalf of RMS, an application with the Department of Planning to change the use of the proposed wharf and land in Bank St to accommodate the current Blackwattle Bay Marina close to Bridge Rd, Glebe.

It has to move to enable the development of the Sydney Fish Market.

But it has been suggested that Bank St could be included as part of the Bays Waterfront Promenade — 5.5 kms of continuous public foreshore access around the Bays Precinct, made up of Blackwattle, Rozelle and White bays.

Balmain State Greens MP Jamie Parker said relocating the marina was contrary to the proposal promising public access to the waterfront. “The proposed design for this site locks up access to the waterfront, blocking water views with 22 shipping containers,” Mr Parker said.

media_camera Greens State MP for Balmain, Jamie Parker, at Blackwattle Bay.

“The presence of the marina at this location will double the number of vessels and risks destroying recreational boating in this part of the Harbour for groups such as Sydney Dragon Boats.”

“The proposed ‘temporary’ relocation of the marina for 10 years is short sighted planning which will hold back development of a genuine foreshore promenade for a decade.”

Mr Parker suggested the marina be put at Glebe Island.

Heritage Fleet general manager Ross Muir said it was not using the site because it was hoping to move operations to a proposed Maritime Heritage Precinct, in co-operation with the Australian National Maritime Museum, proposed for Darling Harbour.

The fleet is now using land along James Craig Rd, but Mr Muir said it would “hang on to the DA” just in case.

media_camera The Sydney Heritage Fleet has a valid development application for the Bank St site.

RMS said the proposed marina would allow the continued operation of harbour cruise businesses within Blackwattle Bay “as space for harbour cruise businesses is limited in Sydney Harbour”.

A spokesman said the primary use of the site will be to moor charter vessels and store provisions and that loading and unloading provisions would occur along with minor maintenance and cleaning, and waste water pumping and storage.

“There will be no passengers embarking or disembarking at the marina.

“Noise levels within the harbour are not expected to increase. However, there may be some localised impacts around individual operations.”