By Andrew Starke
The NSW Government has bought the 645-square-metre site of the former White Bay Hotel in Rozelle for $2.5 million as part of its future rejuvenation of the Bays Precinct.
Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly, yesterday (July 1) confirmed the Government purchase of the vacant site located at 27 Victoria Road, Rozelle.
“This was a long-term, strategic decision by the Government to secure this significant site for the residents of the inner west and the people of Sydney,” the Minister said.
“The White Bay Hotel site is surrounded by other NSW Government-owned land, bound by Victoria Road and adjacent to the Citywest Link intersection with the Anzac Bridge. This is perfectly positioned to support any future road, cycle and bus transport improvements in the area.”
The first White Bay Hotel was built on this site in 1861 and was demolished in 1915 to make way for the Rozelle Railway Goods Yard railway line, before being rebuilt soon after.
The hotel served its last drinks in 1992 and was vacant until it was destroyed by fire in 2008.
The hotel passed in at auction on May 18 after bids stalled at $2.28 million.
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority will manage the hotel site on behalf of the Government and work will commence immediately to clean and secure the site to ensure public safety.
The Land and Property Management Authority will now look to sell the liquor licence and poker machine licences that were included in the acquisition.