The ‘Save Sydney Harbour Campaign’ has attracted support from local celebrities and politicians, such as Prime Minister John Howard.
The State Government is in the throes of shifting shipping from Darling Harbour,White Bay and Glebe Island and although it says much of the area will be kept as “maritime precincts”, opposition groups suspect that the land will be taken over for lucrative development. Campaigners are calling for wharf land to remain in public ownership and the harbour to continue to be used for ro-ro, breakbulk cargo and passenger services. The debate is gathering steam in advance of the New South Wales state elections on March 24.