1991: Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf Fires

Source: de Vine, B. 1991. "Fire licks Finger Wharf". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, August 28: 1 & 2. 

In 1991, Woolloomooloo's Finger Wharf was a derelict building. In the 1970s and 1980s, its future had been debated by historians, developers, the State Government and Sydneysiders. It wasn't just whether or not the structure should be preserved for future generations, but also its use.

During the late 1980s, proposals involved converting the wharf into a mixed-use complex comprising a mixture of apartments, hotel rooms, retail and office space. However, in 1989, the NSW Government, led by Nick Greiner, made the decision to demolish the Finger Wharf to open up the space for the alongside increasing maintenance costs.

As part of efforts to prevent demolition, building unions imposed a green ban on the building and in January 1991, those who wanted the building preserved created a picket line to prevent demolition workers from accessing the site.

From Source: de Vine, B. 1991. "Fire licks Finger Wharf". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, August 28: 1 & 2. 

In 1991, the Finger Wharf was subject to three fires. One of the most notable was on August 28 1991. The quick response by firefighters, particularly the fire boat Shirley Smith, saved the wharf from being destroyed. Had fire crews arrived as little as five minutes later, the fire would have been out of control.

Source: Macey, R. 1991. "Wharf fire leaves burning questions". The Sydney Morning Herald, August 29: 2.

It was believed the fire originated in a liftwell at the number eight dock. 

The other fires occurred in April and October of that same year. Firefighters who fought the third fire on October 9, 1991, reported that the building was again minutes away from becoming totally engulfed. An arsonist is believed to have started that fire. 

 

Source: Kennedy, L. 1991. "Arsonists hit Finger Wharf for third time". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, October 10: 18.

The following year (1992), the future of the wharf would be sealed. It would not be demolished, with tenders invited to propose schemes for the redevelopment of the wharf. This would lead to the eventual redevelopment and restoration of the wharf with apartments, a hotel and a dining precinct, completed in 1999.