With the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) holding its annual conference in Sydney for the first time in 15 years this week, Australasian Leisure Management reveals that in 2007/08 the Walt Disney Company proposed the building of a Disney Resort on Sydney Harbour.
While there has been speculation that Disney had previously planned attractions on the Sunshine Coast and in North Queensland, the US-based entertainment giant was serious about developing prime waterfront land around Sydney’s White Bay and Glebe Island.
Glossy proposal documents for what was called ‘Disney Wharf at Sydney Harbour’ were circulated to the then NSW Government, who treated the proposal with utmost secrecy, even referring to the project by a special code name, ‘Project Lester’.
The waterfront attraction was a grand vision, incorporating classic Disney theme park elements, along with themed hotels, a marina and ferry wharf, two new light-rail stations, a retail space, an entertainment quarter and a residential development.
The old White Bay power station was to have been reborn as a design studio and arts centre, Glebe Island would have blossomed into ‘Fantasia Gardens’ with hedges cut in the shape of Disney characters, and just a short stroll away would have been what the designers termed a “high-energy NY theatre-style district”.
There would have been a yacht club family resort and ‘upscale’ residential developments in Disney Village on the northern end of White Bay, together with a Disney town centre (billed as offering ‘prime waterfront office space’) and a Disney University and hospitality school.
Project Lester was described as “an integrated Disney destination to live, work, play and learn” with the promoters promising it would enhance real estate values on the site itself and in the immediate neighbourhood.
The company said the proposed harbourside complex would “refresh the city’s tourism offerings” and draw patrons from “all over Australia and the world”.
Remarkably, the reaction from NSW’s then Labor administration was mixed, with Labor Party politicians fearing a backlash from voters in surrounding Labor-held parliamentary seats.
Among ministers, the most enthusiastic was the now-disgraced Ian Macdonald, who held the state development portfolio. Then NSW Premier Morris Iemma and then NSW Treasurer Michael Costa were involved in high-level talks on the project but their interest waned as the scale of infrastructure investment expected by Disney became apparent.
The development would have required at least $500 million investment in transport infrastructure while others feared the plan was really a development proposal dressed up as an attraction.
One source who looked closely at the project commented “it was a fabulous site, close to the city, and instead of more million-dollar apartments, we thought why not look at something potentially more interesting.
“But in the end, it was difficult to get detailed proposals from them in writing, and there was always doubt over whether it could work.”
A spokeswoman for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts said the company was always looking to grow its business and “as part of that process, we have conversations with many different entities”.
During the construction of the new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) the site has been home to Glebe Island Expo temporary exhibition venue.
It is also a cruise passenger terminal.
Images: Disney Resorts (top and below), and the White Bay and Glebe Island site proposed for the Disney attraction (middle).
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
Related Articles
23rd May 2016 - Dalian Wanda head slams Disney Shanghai Resort
20th May 2016 - Luna Park Sydney ready for 2016 AALARA conference
12th December 2015 - 30th anniversary of opening of Australia’s Wonderland
11th December 2015 - Australians love theme park visits
5th October 2015 - Luna Park Sydney celebrates 80 years
17th September 2015 - Planned Sydney theme park reports $1 billion investment backing
5th June 2015 - Asian market drives expanding global theme park attendances
11th May 2013 - Glebe Island Expo gets planning approval
15th March 2012 - Bid to revive Old Sydney Town attraction
21st August 2011 - Will Australia ever build another theme park?
18th March 2008 - Disney Considers Sydney Development
