SHFA Schemes break Ministers promises to the community

In another instance where SHFA shows blatant disregard for the community and the Government supposedly in control of it, SHFA's schemes for the Water Police site break unequivocal promises made to the community by its Minister.

Former Planning Minister, Andrew Refshauge promised the local community that no building on the Water Police site would be higher than the top of the heritage-listed sandstone cliffs on Pyrmont Point. He also promised that no building would be allowed north of the steps cut into the sandstone escarpment. <Click for pictures...>

In a blatant disregard of the community and its Minister's promises SHFA's commercial and residential building plans which were shown to the community on 18 November 2003 . SHFA's story line accompanying its models stated "Most buildings will be below the level of the cliff top buildings." (Emphasis ours.) Indeed one of the buildings is planned to be 14 storeys!

In addition, one of the buildings is across the road from the steps, with much of the building clearly north of the steps.

Such behaviour seems typical of SHFA which in its quest to sell off foreshore and other land as quickly as possible. It raises two key questions.

What other schemes is SHFA plotting to hand over prime foreshore land to developers?

Will SHFA's current Minister, Craig Knowles, and Premier Carr continue to allow SHFA to work against the community interest with its dishonest scheme for the Water Police site and other plans for other sites which are yet to be revealed to the public?