VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Sydney Light Rail Loop (1987)

Source: Grimshaw, P. 1987. "Plan to put commuters on right track". The Daily Telegraph, July 20: 5. 

In 1987, an independent engineering team unveiled plans for a "Suburban Circle Line", a light rail loop that would have served the inner city, eastern suburbs and inner west. The argument was that the infrastructure was already there or followed former tram corridors e.g. middle of ANZAC Parade. It was claimed that 14% of the route would need to be built from scratch.

This would have encompassed two of the light rail routes that operate today - L1 line (Central Station - Dulwich Hill via Pyrmont and Lilyfield)  and L2 (From Central Station to Randwick),along with the line looping down to La Perouse using the former tram corridor along ANZAC Parade before turning towards Botany and would have included a stop at Sydney Airport. It would then head towards Dulwich Hill. 

It has to be asked - Is it still possible for this vision to become reality? Yes. The L1 and L2 routes already encompass a large share of the route. The former tram corridor along ANZAC Parade is still there - It can be reverted for Tram use. The La Perouse to Dulwich Hill component though isn't clearly shown in the map that featured in the newspaper clipping, though I think they would have considered using the Port Botany-Sydenham Freight Line as part of any route, however considering that the line is used for freight purposes may render that as unfeasible along with the final section from Marrickville to Dulwich Hill. 

Our readers or followers of public transport might have their own ideas or may know more. Feel free to leave a comment or two. 

Property Advert of the Week: "Valley View" Estate, Berowra (1964)

In early 1964, a block of land in the "Valley View" estate at Berowra cost £1095 ($2190). According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, this is equivalent to $37,500 in today's money.

Source: Parkes Developments Pty. Ltd. 1964. "Berowra "Valley View" Estate" (Advertisement). The Daily Mirror, January 3: 27. 

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Widening George Street Footpaths (1986)

Source: Nicholson, L. & Mulligan, M. 1986. "City to open up for pedestrian network" (1986). The Daily Telegraph, December 9: 3.

Visions of Sydney is back for the next five weeks, as I explore some of the visions that never quite became a reality in Sydney, or were an early scheme or proposal for an eventual project or scheme. This focuses on transport and public spaces, as Never Built Sydney encompasses buildings and architecture.

In this entry are two newspaper clippings from December 1986, when the NSW State Government proposed widening footpaths on George Street by removing one lane in each direction from use by vehicular traffic. It was even considered to convert George Street to one-way traffic.

Three decades later, the construction of the Sydney CBD Light Rail project would see the street converted into a pedestrian boulevard, initially from Bathurst Street to Hunter Street, before being extended to cover George Street from Rawson Square to Bridge Street.

Pedestrians would eventually claim control of George Street; however, if the original scheme had been implemented and nothing else had changed, it would have paved the way for George Street as it exists today. The outcome we see would still have eventuated.

Source: Glascott, J. 1986. "Unsworth promises pedestrians a fair go in new city plan." The Sydney Morning Herald, December 9: 6.

Property Advert of the Week: Hitter Homes Newspaper Advertisement (1969)

Below is a 1969 newspaper advertisement from Hitter Homes promoting a new estate at Wentworthville, along with house and land packages. It promotes "luxury homes" at Bass Hill, but cannot confirm if they are house and land packages or display homes. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, house and land packages equate to spending as little as $ 163,000 in today's money.

Source: Hitter Homes. 1969. "Your new 3-bedroom home" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, July 13: 28. 

Remember This? Winter Swimming at Bondi Icebergs (2004)

In recent times, there has been an increasing appeal of immersion in cold water, such as ice baths, due to the health benefits it can bring to a person and its potential to aid in the healing of muscle injuries. However, this has been disputed by some. 

Our mild winters and warm coastal waters, even in cooler months of the year, make swimming in Sydney a year-round activity. The biggest challenge of swimming in Sydney during winter is not the water itself. It's being out of it that's a problem, i.e. exposure to the cold air. 

Water temperatures in winter average from 19 to 21 degrees. The coldest month for ocean waters is usually August, but it can be in September.

In our coastal suburbs, air temperatures on the coldest mornings are around 5 degrees, which makes being in the water more appealing than braving the cold on land.

Below is a 2004 feature on Bondi Icebergs and its increase in membership numbers associated with an increase in Sydneysiders opting to brave the cold temperatures for their early morning swim.    

Source: Creighton, L. 2004. "Dawn patrol as winter swimmers splash out". The Sunday Telegraph, June 6: 20-21. 

Property Advert of the Week: Oakford, Sydney CBD (1997)

Below is a 1997 newspaper advertisement for the Oakford complex at 252-258 Sussex Street (right at the corner of Sussex and Druitt Street), opposite the Darling Park Complex. It is presently the YEHS Hotel - Sydney Harbour Suites. This was geared towards investors as opposed to home occupiers, given that they are being managed as serviced apartments. 

Source: Metroland Development Pty. Ltd., Premier Realty Pty.Ltd & PRD Realty. 1997. "Invest in the Best" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 24: 17RE (Real Estate Liftout).

Remember This? Sunday Afternoon Football (2005)

I recently came across this feature from The Daily Telegraph that was published in its Monday sport section Final Score on July 25, 2005. In the middle of the liftout (and the newspaper itself) is a two-page photo spread and article on the AFL and NRL fixtures played the previous day, which attracted large crowds

The main photo is from the Round 20 NRL match between Wests Tigers and South Sydney that was played at Leichhardt oval. The photo features the hill at full capacity with the match proceeding under shade in the foreground. A ground record was set that day - 22,877, which still remains in 2025. Wests Tigers won 42-20 and would go on to become the NRL premiers that year

Source: Hooper, J. 2005. "Sydney's day in the sun". The Daily Telegraph, July 24: 36-37. 

On the top right is a photo of Sydney Swans fans cheering their team onto victory against the West Coast Eagles at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Round 17 of the AFL Premiership. Sydney won (13.10 ) 88 to West Coast (9.13) 67. Just over 37,000 were in attendance, and for the West Coast Eagles, it was just their second loss of the 2005 AFL Season. 

The Sydney Swans would also go on to become AFL Premiers in 2005, their first in Sydney and their first in 72 years since they were known as South Melbourne. Coincidentally, they defeated the West Coast Eagles in the 2005 Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

Below that photo, there are two photos from the St George Illawarra vs Cronulla NRL match at Kogarah Oval. Another "full house" with 17,000 attending the local derby and grudge match between the two southern suburbs sides. St George prevailed 16-10. 

On the left are two photos from the Wests Tigers vs South Sydney match. At top left are fans sitting on the roof of a home backing onto the stadium, and below a group of youngsters captured by a photographer in the crowd. 

Property Advert of the Week: 63 Helen Street, Lane Cove (1971)

Below is a 1971 newspaper advertisement promoting the sale of two- and three-bedroom apartments in an apartment complex located at 63 Helen Street, Lane Cove.

Two-bedroom apartments were available for sale from $17,400, and three-bedroom apartments from $20,750. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, this would equate to spending either $232,500 or $ 274,000, respectively, in today's money. 

 

Source: Shead Pty. Ltd. 1971. "63 Helen Street, Lane Cove" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 12: 42.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Moore Park Trademart (1988)

This is my last entry in the current series of Never Built Sydney.

Did you know that the Moore Park Supa Centre was initially planned to be a Trademart? A trademart is where businesses can sell their products to other businesses. Therefore, the original plans for the site focused more on businesses as opposed to consumers. It was proposed by developer Sir Sid Londish, and his company Comreality

The decision to axe the trademart stemmed from the process of approving the third runway for Sydney Airport. For Londish, he wanted to capitalise on the opportunities associated with the increased capacity that a third runway would bring for Sydney Airport, i.e. increased tourism and business opportunities. The recent extension of Southern Cross Drive (1988) to connect it with Sydney Airport meant that South Dowling Street, which fed onto Southern Cross Drive, became a central transport corridor for those travelling to and from the airport.

 

Even though it was approved and completed (1994), Londish didn't see himself as a hypocrite and stood firm to his word. He would also sell the land. Fortunately, it also had approval for a bulky goods centre, which Londish could have pursued if he had not wanted to proceed with the Trademart. 

And out of the ashes would rise the Moore Park Supacenta, one of Sydney's first bulky goods centres. 

Source: Howard, J. 1988. "Londish plans 'trade city' for wholesalers". The Weekend Australian, August 21: 45. 

Property Advert of the Week: Newtown Silos (2003)

Below is a 2003 newspaper advertisement for The Newtown Silos apartment complex. The former flour mill located in Gladstone Street, Newtown, was converted into an apartment complex and was completed in 2005.

Source: Cromer Property Agents and Peter Shield Real Estate. 2003. "This is silo : new life, new living space, Newtown" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, June 8: 11 (homeowner liftout). 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Grace Bros Chatswood Office Tower (1969)

Full Citation Below

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Grace Bros were focused on expansion into the suburbs. Grace Bros had opened in Chatswood in 1961 and were keen to expand the store. In 1969, a proposal was submitted to Willoughby Council for a retail development. An enlarged Grace Bros department store would anchor the centre, along with specialty stores and additional parking, which would cross over Anderson Street (as Westfield does at present) into the block bounded by that street, along with Albert Avenue, Spring Street, and Victoria Street. 

The footprint, in effect, encompasses the current Westfield complex. If Grace Bros had proceeded with their expansion plans, the layout of Westfield Chatswood would likely be different today and would have had implications for any future expansion or development that Westfield undertook. With Grace Bros having a more established shopping centre, Chatswood Chase may not have been built, meaning Chatswood may not have two major shopping centres today.  

 

Source: Anonymous. 1969. "$20 M Bonanza". The Daily Mirror, March 6: 2.  

Westfield would eventually develop the block that was to have been developed by Grace Bros, opening in 1986. The expansion of the department store did proceed, opening the following year (1970), which was featured as Stage 1 of the project. The store would be integrated into Westfield Chatswood in 1999 as part of an expansion of the centre. 

Property Advert of the Week: "The Big 3 in New Homes" (1988)

Source: Anonymous. 1988. "The Big 3 in New Homes" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 18: 21. 

In 1988, Landcom, Hooker Housing Group and the St George Building Society (Now St George Bank)  teamed up to provide a house and land package. Landcom provided the block, Hooker Housing Group would build the home and the St George Building Society provided the loan. Only 200 homes were on offer, priced from $69,950 to $109,500. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Cronulla Hotel & Heliport Proposal (1960)

Full Citation Below

In 1960, plans were unveiled for an 18-storey hotel, topped with a heliport, at Cronulla in Gerrale Street, opposite Cronulla Park and Cronulla Beach. From the information that I have, an exact location is not known, but based on maps, this development would have to be located in or around the intersection with Surf Road, which intersects with the park.

The estimated cost was around £3 million ($6 million).

Concerns were raised about the overshadowing of Cronulla Park and Cronulla Beach (also known as South Cronulla to locals), the loss of views, and noise concerns associated with the placement of a heliport atop the hotel, as well as parking issues. 

Sutherland Council rejected the proposal in June 1961, ensuring "no future for this hotel plan". 

Source: Anonymous. 1961. "No future for this hotel plan". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, June 28: 13. 

 

Property Advert of the Week: De La Salle Exclusive Homes (1971)

Below is a 1971 newspaper advertisement promoting model homes from De La Salle that promise easy construction of a home. 

 

 Source: De La Salle. 1971. "Exclusive Homes" (Advertisement). The Sun Herald, May 9: 23.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Early Westfield Hurstville Scheme (1975)

Source: Anon. 1975. "Big New Shopping Complex". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, December 3: 3. 

Westfield Hurstville was opened in 1978. At the time of opening, it had 120 stores anchored by Waltons, Coles and Nock & Kirbys. It was confined to a block bound by Park Road, Cross Street and Humphreys Lane before being extended over Park Road in 1989/1990.

Before the expansion at the end of the 1980s it also had the Snowy Hill Park, open to the public at all hours of the day. 

In 1975, an ambitious proposal was lodged with Hurstville Council (now Georges River Council), which envisioned an even larger park spread on its roof (equivalent to a town square) and an office building, which had become standard with any Westfield development at the time. Three levels of retail would be provided. 

Jake Harproff had recently posted scanned images from a document to the Old Shops Australia Facebook Group.

The cross sections from three different angles gives one the perspective of the layout, which would differ significantly from what would be built within the original section of the centre. 

• Snowy Hill Park would be built atop a three-level car park located at the Humphreys Lane end, with footbridges connecting the centre to Forest Road. It would act as a town centre for central Hurstville.
• An office block with three levels of office space to be built above the rooftop car park. This component was scrapped.
• Three levels of shops, but would become two levels when the design was modified to the eventual original layout, and the retail area was extended down to Humphreys Lane, while Snowy Hill Park was reduced.
• As originally planned, the department store (Waltons) would be located towards the Park Street end. Coles would be located on level 1 (and has been since opening in 1978). 
• Provision of space for a discount department store (didn't eventuate in 1978).

Would this have affected its subsequent expansion over Park Road to encompass the block bounded by The Avenue, Cross Street, Park Road and Humphreys Lane in 1989-1990? The layout of that block in its current form would have been possible, but the famous sloping of shops in the complex (which allows shoppers to use the centre without using stairs or escalators) would not have occurred. Escalators and stairs would have been used to move up or down each floor. It's likely, though, that the current centre may have fewer stores than it has in its current layout.

Property Advert of the Week: Eastlakes Home Units Ad (1966)

Below is a newspaper advertisement from 1966. Parkes Developments was promoting apartments for sale at Eastlakes. However, it doesn't go into specifics. Deposits started at $1000, and if you wanted more information, "enquire at Parkes Caravan".

Source: Parkes Developments Pty. Ltd. 1966. "East-lakes" (Advertisement). The Sun, October 21: 65. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Reschs Brewery Redevelopment Scheme (1983)

The former site of the Reschs Brewery at East Redfern is home to the Moore Park Gardens estate, a residential development comprising 575 apartments in 11 buildings. the brewery was closed in 1983 and the residential development was completed in 1996. 

Source: Johnston, M. 1983.  "Homes for 600 at old Resch's brewery". The Daily Telegraph, August 20: 7. 

Below is the original 1983 proposal to redevelop the former brewery. This coincided with Tooths being taken over by Carlton & United Breweries (CUB). Production of Reschs then shifted to the CUB Brewery at Broadway (now home to Central Park, Sydney). CUB no longer brews beer in New South Wales, either brewed in Melbourne or at Yatala in Queensland. 

Six office buildings (up to 18 storeys tall) were proposed as part of the redevelopment along with town houses and apartments to house around 600 people. Nine of the former brewery buildings would be incorporated into the redevelopment, and a public park would also be provided.

Source: Coultan, M. 1983. "$250m plan for brewery site". The Sydney Morning Herald, August 20: 4.

The development was planned in a way that the office buildings would create a buffer zone that separated the residential component from the nearby industrial area. 

Source: Anonymous. 1983. "Draughting a new village". The Daily Telegraph, August 27:  page unknown.

It was anticipated that construction would be completed in stages over seven years, meaning full completion by 1990. By 1990, the site was empty and still undeveloped. 

Property Advert of the Week: 108/1 Missenden Road, Camperdown (1998)

Below is a 1998 newspaper advertisement for an apartment for sale at 1 Missenden Road, Camperdown. The apartment was listed through Richardson & Wrench, Glebe. No price is listed for the two-bedroom apartment.

Source: Richardson & Wrench Glebe. 1998. "Luxury Living at an affordable price". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 2: 35RE (Real Estate).

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: AML & F Redevelopment Proposal (1989)

Full Citation Below

In 2023, I posted an entry on the fire that destroyed the Australian Mercantile Land & Finance Co. Building at Ultimo in 1992. 

At the time of the fire, the site was facing redevelopment. In 1989, Essington Developments Lrd. (owned by Kerry Packer) proposed a plan to convert the building into a hotel and apartment building. There would be 150 apartments along with a four star hotel. A small office building along with retail would also be provided. The redevelopment was projected to cost $200 million.

Source: Dixon, A. 1989. "New life for a grand old building" . The Sydney Morning Herald, March 29: 2. 

The restoration of the former woolstore would have been similar to the Goldsborough Mort Woolstore located further up Harris Street. However had this had gone ahead and there was no fire to the woolstore itself, it have meant that those in Ultimo would not have the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre which occupies part of the present site. The Harry Seidler-designed building is a local landmark in itself.

Related Entry

1992: Ultimo's Australian Mercantile Land and Finance Co. Building destroyed by fire

Property Advert of the Week: Campbelltown Land Release (1969)

Below is a 1969 newspaper commercial promoting a land release at Campbelltown. It doesn't specify where in Campbelltown exactly, but it would have to be in a suburb within the Local Government area. There is a rail track featured in the map where Campbelltown Road crosses over as a bridge, and that points most likely to be in Leumeah, as the road does cross over the Southern Rail Line there. 

The Southern Line had been electrified to Campbelltown the previous year (1968), which meant commuters could travel directly from the region to the city in around one hour. Their key selling point was the commute time. It does take an hour for a commuter from Cronulla to travel to the city by train,n for instance, and Cronulla is closer to the city than Campbelltown is. 

 

Source: Parkes Developments Pty. Ltd. 1969 "Campbelltown" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, June 21: 45. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Centennial Place Towers (1980)

In this entry in the latest instalment of Never Built Sydney, I look at one of the never-built proposals for what is now the site of the Centennial Plaza complex in Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills (Opposite Central Station). The site comprises three office towers—16, 13, and 10 levels, respectively—a public square, and ground-floor retail. 

The site was originally home to the Tooheys Brewery, which opened in 1875

In 1976, Tooheys shifted its brewing operations to its present site Lidcombe. They sought to redevelop the site, blending in the old with the new. This included two 16-storey office buildings and the retention of historical buildings fronting Mary Street. 84-86 Mary Street (separate site) would also be preserved and eventually was converted into office space.

Source: Jones, J. 1980. "Tooheys plans to spend $35m on old brewery". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 11: 19.

What makes this proposal stand out from the eventual complex is the incorporation of heritage into the development. It may have limited the space for the office buildings and clustered them closer to each other, but it would have been more friendly to the streetscape and sympathetic to Surry Hills itself. 

One downside is that the buildings would appear aged today but could potentially be ripe for redevelopment in Sydney of 2025. 

Property Advert of the Week: "Mintcol" by Claron Homes (1973)

Below is a 1973 newspaper advertisement for "Mintcol". It was a model home that was located at 176A Old Northern Road, Castle Hill. The home is still standing there today. 

Source: Claron Homes. 1973. "Mintcol" (Advertisement). The Sun, October 19: 62.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Governor Phillip Tower 1982 Scheme (1982)

Full Citation Below

Developing the site of the First Government House in Sydney was a saga in itself. It was an empty site in central Sydney surrounded by sandstone buildings and modern high-rise buildings. By the early 1980s, the NSW Government decided to build an office tower on the site.

In 1982, plans were approved for a 38-storey office tower to be built on the site. The tower was to be located directly fronting Bridge Street, where the Museum of Sydney now stands.

Source: Ringrose, R. 1982. "Tower to rise on city site". The Daily Telegraph, November 24:9. 

The following year (1983), an archeological dig unearthed the foundations of the First Government House (1789-1846), sealing its fate. The Foundations would be preserved, and the public could view their remains. With a skyscraper boom occurring in the 1980s, Planning and Environment Minister Bob Carr sought to preserve the historical buildings and streetscape along Bridge Street, which also had implications for future development. 

Comreality (owned by Sid Londish) bought the site in 1986. Over two years, it purchased neighbouring sites, including the Legal and General Buildings, to create a super site covering an entire block bounded by Bridge, Loftus, Bent and Young Streets. It would lead to what we see today, a public square facing Bridge Street with the Museum of Sydney behind it. Governor Phillip Tower (1993 - 37 stories/227 metres - Note that there is a 40 metre high foyer, with fewer floors in the tower) and Governor Macquarie Tower (1994 - 36 levels/145 metres) would rise towards the middle of the block. Terrace houses in Young and Phillip Streets were preserved.

 

Property Advert of the Week: HomeWorld (2002)

Newspaper advertisements for HomeWorld in our weekly property adverts are regular, and they're good for comparison and understanding how their marketing has evolved. 

Below is an advertisement published in The Daily Telegraph in 2002. This focuses on the "New for Old" (a new home built on an existing block) and the financial gain one could get if they knocked their house down and built a new one from scratch.

Source: HomeWorld. 2002. "This is my new for old home on our same block". The Daily Telegraph, September 14: 17.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: 40 Park Street (1988)

Full Citation Below

Did you know that a tower was once proposed to be built on the site of the recently completed Parkline Place tower in Park Street, directly above Gadigal Station, decades before heavy rail snaking underneath Pitt and Castlereagh Streets, and a metro station right on Park Street?

It happened in 1988.

Interestingly, the proposed tower was 40 storeys tall, just one storey higher than today's tower. The development would have comprised 4000 sq/m of retail space, 45,000 sq/m of space (similar to the current Parkline Place), a 2,500 sq/m space for a library, and a four-storey public atrium.

It was to be developed by developer Frank Theeman.

Source: Chancellor, J. 1988. "Theeman catches key CBD sites". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 1: 28.

How would the Metro Station fit into the narrative had the tower been built?

This tower would have impacted plans for the Sydney Metro if they had to stick to what we see today. It would have created a barrier to building an entrance from Park Street. Consider that it was planned for Town Hall and Gadigal Stations not to be connected at all to avoid creating a "super station". Gadigal was also built to alleviate overcrowding at Town Hall Station. Data has shown that patronage at Town Hall has decreased by 10% since the CBD Metro opened. Options for a station entrance, particularly at the northern end, are limited, and Park Street is also a bus corridor for a number of bus services operating in central Sydney.

This tower would have likely been compulsorily acquired and demolished just like 39 Martin Place was for the construction of the metro platforms and entrances at Martin Place and the buildings in Elizabeth, Castlereagh and Hunter Streets that were located behind the Commonwealth Bank building. This would ultimately mean Parkline Place would be built, likely in a very similar form to the current tower and to at least the same number of floors and height, if not kept to the 40 floors. As for heights, Parkline Place may have ended up taller provided it could conform to solar access protections, meet design excellence standards and justify breaching height and planning limits.

This is a "never built" that did Sydney a favour, even if it was not back in the 1980s, because the acquisition of the tower for the Sydney CBD Metro would have increased construction costs and removed any barriers to placing a station entrance to Gadigal Station in Park Street. 

Above: Parkline Place as viewed from Park Street at Hyde Park. Photo taken by the Author (2025).

Property Advert of the Week: Penrith Land Release (1969)

Below is a 1969 newspaper advertisement for a house and land package on offer at Penrith. The area is currently in South Penrith and would encompass the neighbourhood that is home to the Jamison Hotel and close to Jamison Park.

The package included a 3-bedroom brick veneer home on a block of land. According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, this was equivalent to spending $155,000 in today's money, which is very good value for money.

Source: Lancelot Homes. 1969. "Penrith $10, 575" (Advertisement).  The Daily Telegraph, July 12: 28. 

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Harrah's Sydney Casino Proposal (1986)

Sourced from: Dale, D. & Shanahan, D. 1986. "Sydney Casino: FBI checks US partner". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 2: 1. 

For the first time in two years, Never Built Sydney is back for another series, as I look at more of the "never builts" that were proposed for Sydney.

As part of the redevelopment of Darling Harbour in the 1980s, the Wran and Unsworth Governments sought to develop the eastern side of Cockle Bay into a Casino and Hotel complex. This was also a solution to rid the city of illegal gambling houses.

The site in question is currently the site of the Darling Park complex, comprising three office towers and the Cockle Bay Wharf dining precinct. 

Sourced from: Holland, M. & Ringrose, D. 1986. "Casino deal 'cannot be scrapped'". The Daily Telegraph, August 12: 1 & 2. 

In 1985, the Wran Government put the site up for tender.  American casino operator Harrah's (owned by hotel chain Holiday Inn) in conjunction with Hooker Corporation was awarded the contract on June 24, 1986. Their proposal for the Casino Resort would comprise two buildings: one rising atop the Western Distributor and fronting Cockle Bay to around 11/12 storeys tall, which would feature the casino, while a 45-level hotel tower would be built towards the corner of Druitt and Sussex Street. 

Sourced from: Ringrose, D. 1986. "Hooker vows: We'll fight for casino". The Daily Telegraph, August 13: 1 & 2. 

Details about the towers and facilities were not published at the time and were based on observations in the photos of the model published in the media.

Why did it not proceed?

Source: Dale, D. & Shanahan, D. 1986. "Sydney Casino: FBI checks US partner". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 2: 1. 

The process required tenders (and individuals involved) to pass an "integrity check, " equivalent to a police check on an individual who may be considered for employment within a company. The Sydney Morning Herald in July 1986 revealed that Harrah's was under investigation by the FBI in the United States and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement over a claim that "it used organised crime figures to arrange deals with a union". This had not been uncovered during the initial integrity checks.

Source: Dale, D. 1986. "Questions Atlantic City wasn't asked". The Sydney Morning Herald, July 2: 1 & 4. 

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement responded that the NSW Government had not approached them.

Source: Holland, M. & Ringrose, D. 1986. "Casino deal 'cannot be scrapped'". The Daily Telegraph, August 12: 1 & 2. 

The revelation led to the State Government cancelling the contract on August 12 1986. Harrah's and Hooker took the government to the NSW Supreme Court claiming that the government were obligated to comply with the agreement. It would be settled out of court in 1989 with the NSW Government paying the consortium $33 million in compensation plus $5 million in court costs, a fraction of the $700 million initially demanded.

Source: Ringrose, D. 1986. "Hooker vows: We'll fight for casino". The Daily Telegraph, August 13: 1 & 2. 

New tenders were sought later that year and continued into 1987, but integrity checks saw all tenders rejected. Harrah's and Hooker tried again, but were unsuccessful. By the end of 1987, the Unsworth Government attempted a third round of tenders.

In 1988, the Unsworth Government was replaced by a Coalition Government under Nick Greiner. With $500 million still owing on the cost of the Darling Harbour Redevelopment, the NSW Government shifted in 1989 towards a mixed-use development of the site with a hotel, offices, and retail buildings to be built. In 1991, Darling Park was conceived, with towers built in three stages—1992, 1999, and 2005—with Cockle Bay Wharf constructed in 1998. The proposed hotel tower did not proceed. 

Property Advert of the Week: South Windsor Homesites (1982)

Below is a 1982 newspaper advertisement from the Crown Lands Office promoting the sale of homesites at South Windsor. The homesites ranged in price from $16,000 to $24,500.

According to the RBA Inflation Calculator, this was the equivalent of spending approximately $69,000 to $106,000 in today's money.

 

Source: Crown Lands Office. 1982. "Fully serviced homesites South Windsor". The Daily Telegraph, December 3: 25. 

1989: Food and Drink banned on Sydney Buses

Source: State Transit. 1989. "Cleaner, more comfortable bus travel, will require curbing a few appetites" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, May 1: 14. 

On public transport in Sydney, it is acceptable for commuters to eat or drink on Trains, Light Rail and ferries, but not on buses. 

How did it come to be? 

In 1989, the State Transit Authority (STA) decided to ban the consumption of food and drink on Government Buses in Sydney and Newcastle. Eating or drinking on a bus carried a fine of $200. The primary reason for the ban was cleanliness, but it was also in response to complaints from commuters.

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Source: Timmins, M. 1989. "Eating Ban on Buses". The Daily Mirror, May 1: 2. 

The Daily Mirror asked commuters for their thoughts on the ban, and had mixed reactions.

Source: Cramsie, D. 1989. "Passengers divided on food bus ban". The Daily Mirror, May 1: 12. 

The following year, the NSW Government passed the Passenger Transport Act (1990), which gave the State Government authority to determine whether commuters were permitted to consume food or drink on any mode of transport and regulate behaviour on public transport. 

It also allowed the Government to set fines for non-compliance. Under current legislation, a person who eats or drinks on a bus can be fined $550, up from $200 in 1989. The directive not to eat or drink must be displayed on a sign inside the buses. However, commuters can consume water, and those who need to eat or drink for medical reasons can. 

As a bus commuter, I have found that it is generally not enforced, particularly where alcohol is consumed, but 99% of commuters exercise common sense and refrain altogether.