Industry, community and the balancing act of Baileys

The proposal by Bailey’s Marine to build a refuelling and marine supply facility at White Bay Wharf 6 has generated much
controversy since it was first put forward in late 2006. The proposal is currently being assessed by the Department of
Planning and a panel of experts appointed by Planning Minister Frank Sartor.
While Leichhardt Council, local precinct groups and community groups have been passionate and vocal in their opposition to
the proposal, groups including the Sydney Harbour Maritime Forum, the Commercial Vessel Operators Association of NSW
and the Boating Industry Association of NSW have voiced their support for the plan.
This month we spoke to Guy Bailey, director of the Bailey’s Marine Group, about the proposal and the challenges facing
maritime harbour users.

Why is there such a need for
a marine refuelling facility on
Sydney Harbour?
The proposed location of the
Bailey’s facility at White Bay Berth
6 provides an ideal central harbour
location in proximity to the base for
many working vessels and also pro-
vides a fuel supply for recreational
craft for which the nearest options
would otherwise be Cabarita or
Rushcutters Bay.
What are implications for
recreational and commercial
boaters if the proposal is rejected?
It is essential to the sound plan-
ning for the harbour that this oppor-
tunity is not lost.
The facility provides for a signifi-
cant improvement in the efficiency,
competitive forces both in terms of
price and environmental compli-
ance, and the environmental man-
agement of fuel supply on Sydney
Harbour.
The facility will also have sew-
age pump out and sustainability ini-
tiatives. If the proposal does not go
ahead, boaters will lose out on much
needed marine infrastructure.
Do you think that residents’
concerns over noise, safety and
pollution are justified?
Bailey’s core business is the
supply of fuel to the marine sector
which it has done with safety and ef-
ficiency all around Australia for over
20 years.
The fact that Bailey’s are cer-
tified to the Australian Standard
for Environmental Management
Systems (ISO 14001) ensures appro-
priate procedures and standards are
established and maintained through
regular external audit.
Certification to this standard is
not achieved lightly and provides
for an extremely high level of confi-
dence in the sound operation of the
facility.
It is essential, however, that ap-
propriate measures are established
to ensure that operations do not re-
sult in disturbance to the local com-
munity.
What challenges has the changing
nature of Sydney’s foreshore
presented to those involved in
maritime industries?
In the past, industry has advocat-
ed for the establishment of precincts
within the harbour from which
maritime businesses, which depend
upon waterfront access, could oper-
ate with security of tenure.
One of the critical issues has been
establishing a reasonable balance
between the operational require-
ments of these businesses together
with the increasing demand for resi-
dential development and managing
the interface between the two.
• Interview by Ashlee Betteridge

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Village Voice Balmain April 7