Relevant Legislation

The Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act 2001 No 57

The Sydney Olympic Park Authority was established as a statutory authority in July 2001. The Authority is constituted by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act 2001 No 57 which established the Sydney Olympic Park Authority as a statutory authority, with responsibility to manage the public assets of Sydney Olympic Park - open space, venues, parklands and development areas. The legislation focuses on ensuring the best use and management of a large and unique area right in the geographical centre of Sydney, an area which is a world renowned destination.

The Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act, requires the Authority to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that:

• Sydney Olympic Park becomes an active and vibrant town centre within metropolitan Sydney
• Sydney Olympic Park becomes a premium destination for cultural, entertainment, recreation and sporting events
• any new development carried out in accordance with the Act complies with best practice environmental and town planning standards
• the natural heritage of the Parklands is protected and enhanced.

In achieving the above objectives, the Act confers on the Sydney Olympic Park Authority the following functions:

• to promote, co-ordinate and manage the orderly and economic development and use of Sydney Olympic Park, including the provision and management of infrastructure
• to promote, co-ordinate, organise, manage, undertake, secure, provide and conduct cultural, sporting, educational, commercial, tourist, recreational, entertainment and transport activities and facilities
• to protect and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of Sydney Olympic Park, particularly the parklands
• to set objectives for the parklands, assign management functions and requirements including the preparation of a Plan of Management;
• to provide, operate and maintain public transport facilities within Sydney Olympic Park
• to liaise with and maintain arrangements with Olympic organisations, such as the International Olympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee Incorporated.

The Act places a high value on the Authority's commitment to the principles of ecologically sustainable development. S15 provides that:

'in carrying out any of its functions, the Authority is to take into consideration, where relevant, the principles of ecologically sustainable development within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993.' (Refer to the summary of the LGA Act 1993 in this section for this definition).

S20 of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act (2001) also provides that:

'Before carrying out any proposed development, the Authority is to consider whether the proposed development is consistent with the Environmental Guidelines.

• View the Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act 2001 No 57
• View the Sydney Olympic Park Regulation 2001