The " Green Ban " Option !

Seventy years ago we saw an interesting collision between the state government and the union movement when union leader Jack Mundey slapped a green ban on a cluster of homes and warehouses scheduled for demolition.  These were amongst the first structures of early Sydney, located in a pocket of land adjacent to the harbour bridge and accessed from the ferry terminal at Circular Quay.

They were to be replaced with housing blocks and this was highly contraversial.  There was a strong movement for conservation which brought groups of protesters for both view into the city and the union ban prevented work starting on any form of demolition.  During this stoush journalist Anita Neilson mysteriously disappeared and that remains an usolved murder.

The preservation of what is known as " The Rocks " was successful and this example of earlier architecture draws tourists today.  Now we have another green ban coming into force to try and save two historical homes at Parramatta which are scheduled for demolition to make way for a new version of the Powerhouse museum.

Willow Grove and St Georges Terrace are stately homes in perfect condition and the CFMEU have stayed the application of the wrecking ball by decreeing that none of their members will report for work to carrty out that task.   There is a strong movement for keeping the Powerhouse museum where it is and the move to Parramatrta will cost several billion dollars which many people feel could be better spent elsewhere.

This is heading for a clash between the government we elected to office and their plans for the city, and a trade group formed to proptect the interests of the workers who earn their pay in the construction industry.  The CFMEU is known as a militant union closely connected to the Australian Labor party and this green ban is probably more connected to party politics than any genuine concern for preserving our heritage.

The state government will be obviously watching voter reaction to the ban and acting accordingly.   If they felt they had public support they could react in kind.   If the CFMEU are not prepared to clear the site then they should be banned from taking part in construction of the new Powerghouse museum which will replace those old homes.

That would be a bold move to disenfranchise the union and support non union labour as a preferred alternative, and it is unlikely to happen.  The more likely outcome is that the Powerhouse museum stays where it is and that move to Parramatta is eventually abandoned.   In this instance the union has correctly envisaged the will of the people and acted accordingly.

The green ban seems likely to be a new force in city planning for the future !