Episode 208: How NSW transformed the old White Bay Power Station into a site for a world-famous art festival

Talking Architecture & Design

For many Sydneysiders the old White Bay Power Station at Rozelle, some 4km from Sydney’s CBD has been a familiar landmark as they travel over the Anzac Bridge.

Fenced off, with broken windows, covered in graffiti and sporting rusted metal smokestacks, the century-old industrial site hasn't been used since the lights were switched off on Christmas Day, 1983.

While successive state governments have spent decades arguing over its future, now after almost $110 million was invested by both the previous Coalition and now ALP state governments in the restoration and remediation of this iconic site, its not only ‘new’ again, but also winning design awards.
We talk with Barbara Moore, CEO of Biennale of Sydney, one of the top three Biennials in the world, along with Sao Paolo and Venice and Anita Mitchell Chief Executive at Placemaking NSW, part of Planning NSW that focuses on development and management of some of our most important harbourside precincts, on what it took to turn the White Bay Power Station from an disused power station to a global art powerhouse.