The state government's plans to redevelop Sydney's Fish Markets and waterfront areas of Glebe and Rozelle are starting to kick in the gear – and that may mean kicking out people who have long worked the harbour.
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The Pyrmont Heritage Boat Club only months ago won a $25,000 government grant to sustain its work with the community, where it runs programs for at-risk youth and the unemployed. But the club now faces an uncertain future amid the redevelopment scheme known as the "Bays Precinct".
The club, which restores old vessels, was issued with an eviction notice by Roads and Maritime Services days after receiving its latest government grant in December.
Under the terms of that notice, the club was to be evicted this month to allow RMS to hand a section of the waterfront underneath Anzac Bridge at Pyrmont to government developer UrbanGrowth NSW.
"As far as I know we are the only organisation that engages people from lower socio-economic parts of Sydney to come down and learn how to sail, learn how to do some work on the boats," said Orion Alderton, a shipwright and club secretary.
In Parliament, for instance, the former planning minister Brad Hazzard in 2012 praised the club's "extraordinary work" with people with health and mental health issues, and with the unemployed.
"I think both sides of the House would like to see the Pyrmont Heritage Boating Club supported," Mr Hazzard said.
RMS told the club in December that it would have to move by the end of February. But in a statement to Fairfax Media, a spokeswoman said RMS was "prepared to give the club permission to stay in occupation until the site is required by UrbanGrowth NSW".
"UrbanGrowth NSW is preparing to construct the Bays Waterfront Promenade, with Stage 1 to link Blackwattle Bay near the Sydney Fish Market, extending under the ANZAC Bridge to connect with the walkway around Jackson's Landing, Pyrmont," a spokeswoman said.
For Mr Alderton, the hope is to be able to secure access to a neighbouring site at 1 Banks Street, a derelict building just near the old Glebe Island Bridge. However neither RMS nor UrbanGrowth has committed to this, despite the $25,000 "Community Building Partnership" intended to help with the move.
Labor's planning spokeswoman, Penny Sharpe, said Maritime Minister Duncan Gay and Planning Minister Rob Stokes needed to "ensure a future for all community groups who need access to the harbour foreshore during and after the development of the Bays Precinct."
"The Bays Precinct must be able to accommodate clubs like the Pyrmont Heritage Boat Club."
