20 May 2008
Disney attraction for Sydney
BY Caroline Wilkinson
The New South Wales Government (NSW) has held meetings with the Walt Disney Company about the possible creation of an attraction as part of the redevelopment of White Bay, according to ABC News.
The site, near the Anzac bridge, on Sydney Harbour’s foreshore, is currently used by car-carrying ships to unload. It will become vacant as the ships move to a new facility at Port Kembla in the south of Sydney later this year.
NSW minister Ian Macdonald has confirmed that he spoke with representatives from Walt Disney, and that they had a “broad range of ideas” for the site, including concepts for both tourism and entertainment facilities – though nothing was finalised
John Nicoletti, a spokesperson for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, would not confirm whether the company would be developing a new attraction in Sydney. He told ABC: “We’re constantly exploring opportunities to grow our business and part of that process is having conversations with lots of entities. At this time we really have no plans for the region.”
Patricia Forsythe, executive director of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce – a business chamber of the New South Wales Government, told Attractions Management : “Any proposal from Disneyland should be viewed seriously because it would be a major generator of tourism.
“The government has a committee looking at future uses for the site, but at this time no announcement of any sort has been made.”
The State Government has established The Bays Precinct Taskforce to formulate a Strategic Masterplan and to consider regeneration proposals for White Bay, Glebe Island, Blackwattle Bay and Rozzelle Bay. The masterplan is due to be revealed later this year.
If a development goes ahead, it will add to Disney’s portfolio of 11 theme parks, eight resorts and a cruise line.
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