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White Bay limbo

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The argument over what should become of the old White Bay power station and adjoining land in Rozelle has been raging for 40 years, with more than a dozen proposals from casino to naval base. As Jamie Parker, the state member for Balmain and former mayor of what was then Leichhardt Council, puts it: "White Bay is the graveyard where thought bubbles go to die."

White Bay Power Station in Balmain, 2003.

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White Bay Power Station in Balmain, 2003.Credit:Tamara Dean

Bruce MacDonald in front of the sites of Balmain Power Station. Leader of the State Opposition Mr. Bruce MacDonald announced Liberal Party planes to develop Balmain, Bunnerong and White Bay, Pyrmont Power stations sites into residential area. July 01, 1981.

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Bruce MacDonald in front of the sites of Balmain Power Station. Leader of the State Opposition Mr. Bruce MacDonald announced Liberal Party planes to develop Balmain, Bunnerong and White Bay, Pyrmont Power stations sites into residential area. July 01, 1981.Credit:Antonin Cermak

A broad view of the control panel and timber phone desks in the White Bay Power Station Control Room.

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A broad view of the control panel and timber phone desks in the White Bay Power Station Control Room.Credit:Brett Patman

Historic view of White Bay Power Station in Balmain.

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Historic view of White Bay Power Station in Balmain. Credit: Supplied

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White Bay Power Station will soon be handed over from Pacific Power to the Sydney Foreshore Authority, although there has not been a decision made for the site. Pictured is Richard Waters from the Sydney Foreshore Authority. Jan 2000.

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White Bay Power Station will soon be handed over from Pacific Power to the Sydney Foreshore Authority, although there has not been a decision made for the site. Pictured is Richard Waters from the Sydney Foreshore Authority. Jan 2000.Credit:Steven Siewert

White Bay Power House in operation. City Panorama showing White Bay Power Station and Pyrmont Power Station pouring out smoke. June 24, 1981.

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White Bay Power House in operation. City Panorama showing White Bay Power Station and Pyrmont Power Station pouring out smoke. June 24, 1981.Credit:Gerrit Alan Fokkema

Valves at the White Bay Power Station, Tuesday 24th October, 2006.

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Valves at the White Bay Power Station, Tuesday 24th October, 2006.Credit:Anthony Johnson

NSW Minister for Planning Rob Stokes, NSW Treasurer Dom Perrottet and Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne, taking a tour of the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle. Tuesday 24th November 2020.

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NSW Minister for Planning Rob Stokes, NSW Treasurer Dom Perrottet and Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne, taking a tour of the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle. Tuesday 24th November 2020.Credit:Louie Douvis

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet NSW and Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance address the media about work starting on the Sydney Metro West mega project, White Bay, Sydney. November 18, 2020.

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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet NSW and Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance address the media about work starting on the Sydney Metro West mega project, White Bay, Sydney. November 18, 2020.Credit:Rhett Wyman

Inside White Bay Power Station after an announcement for a development plan for the power station in Rozelle. Photo by Edwina Pickles. 22nd Oct 2015.

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Inside White Bay Power Station after an announcement for a development plan for the power station in Rozelle. Photo by Edwina Pickles. 22nd Oct 2015.Credit:Edwina Pickles

White Bay Hotel on Victoria road burned down early in the morning under what fire fighters are calling suspicious circumstances. Saturday 6th September 2008.

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White Bay Hotel on Victoria road burned down early in the morning under what fire fighters are calling suspicious circumstances. Saturday 6th September 2008.Credit:James Brickwood

White Bay Power Station in Rozelle. November 21, 2020.

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White Bay Power Station in Rozelle. November 21, 2020.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

White bay Power station from mechanics window, 2003.

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White bay Power station from mechanics window, 2003.Credit:Nick Moir

Broken gauge for reading megawatts in the White Bay Power Station. Tuesday 24th October, 2006.

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Broken gauge for reading megawatts in the White Bay Power Station. Tuesday 24th October, 2006.Credit:Anthony Johnson

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NSW Treasurer Dom Perrottet and NSW Minister for Planning Rob Stokes taking a tour of the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle. Tuesday 24th November 2020.

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NSW Treasurer Dom Perrottet and NSW Minister for Planning Rob Stokes taking a tour of the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle. Tuesday 24th November 2020.Credit:Louie Douvis

Piles of logs outside the White Bay Power House, Sydney, ca. 1920s.

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Piles of logs outside the White Bay Power House, Sydney, ca. 1920s.Credit:Fairfax Archive

Desk with telephone equipment in the operations room of the White Bay Power House, Sydney, ca. 1920s.

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Desk with telephone equipment in the operations room of the White Bay Power House, Sydney, ca. 1920s.Credit:Fairfax Media

General scenes of the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle. Tuesday 24th November 2020.

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General scenes of the White Bay Power Station in Rozelle. Tuesday 24th November 2020.Credit:Louie Douvis

Lockers and a basin in the White Bay power station. Tuesday 24th October, 2006.

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Lockers and a basin in the White Bay power station. Tuesday 24th October, 2006.Credit:Anthony Johnson

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Planning Minister Rob Stokes at White Bay Power Station announcing a development plan for the power station in Rozelle. 22nd Oct 2015.

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NSW Premier Mike Baird and Planning Minister Rob Stokes at White Bay Power Station announcing a development plan for the power station in Rozelle. 22nd Oct 2015.Credit:Edwina Pickles