AGY-2152 | Sydney Olympic Park Authority

Full description

The Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) was established on 1 July 2001 (1), with the objective of ensuring that the Sydney Olympic Park area becomes an active and vibrant town centre within metropolitan Sydney, and a premium destination for cultural, entertainment, recreation, and sporting events; while ensuring that new developments are consistent with environmental and town planning standards, and the Millennium Parklands are protected and enhanced. (2)

The Authority was responsible for the promotion, management, and co-ordination of the Sydney Olympic Park’s use and development, the provision and management of infrastructure, provision and operation of public transport facilities within the Park, and liaison with Olympic organisations. (3) The Authority was also required to prepare and maintain a master plan for Sydney Olympic Park, detailing plans for the development and use of land and buildings, the provision of public transport services, the management of roads, the protection, enhancement, and use of waterfront areas, parklands, and areas of natural vegetation, and the use and management of the public domain. (4) As the Newington (Silverwater) Nature Reserve was not vested in the Authority (5), the lands adjoining the Reserve were required to be managed as a buffer zone in sympathy with the Reserve. (6)

Under the provisions of the Act, the Authority exercised the functions of a local government council in relation to the Sydney Olympic Park (7), and was authorised to grant leases, easements and licences in relation to the Millennium Parklands. (8)

From 1 July 2009 the Office of Sydney Olympic Park Authority was abolished as a Division of the Government Service and its former staff became part of the new Principal Department, Communities NSW. At the same time the staff of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority Aquatic and Athletic Centres Division became part of Communities NSW and that Division was also abolished. (9)

On 30 November 2009 the Sydney Olympic Park Authority absorbed the functions of the State Sports Centre Trust. (10)

From 4 April 2011 when Communities NSW was abolished the Sydney Olympic Park Authority became a branch of the Principal Department, the Department of Education and Communities. (11)

On 1 July 2014 the Sydney Olympic Park Authority division was transferred to the Office of Sport, which was created as a Public Service executive agency related to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. (12)

On 1 July 2019 the Department of Industry was abolished and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority was transferred to the Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment. (14)

Endnotes
1. Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act, Act No 57, 2001, ss.2, 5.
2. ibid, s.3.
3. ibid, s.13.
4. ibid, s.18.
5. ibid, s.9.
6. ibid, s.30(5).
7. ibid, s.19.
8. ibid, s.32.
9. Public Sector Employment and Management (Departmental Amalgamations) Order 2009 (2009 No 352) cls. 6 (1)(d) and (j) and 6(2); notified on NSW Legislation website, 27 July 2009.
10. Public Sector Restructure (Miscellaneous Acts Amendments) Act 2009 (Act No.96, 2009), Schedule 26, amending the Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act 2001 (Act No.57, 2001).
11. Public Sector Employment and Management (Departments) Order 2011 (2011 No 184) cls. 27; notified on NSW Legislation website, 3 April 2011.
12. Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes—Miscellaneous Agencies) Order 2014 (2014 No 413) cls 6: notified on the Legislation website, 30 June 2014.
13.Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes—Public Service Agencies) Order 2019 (2019 No 159); cls 9; notified on the Legislation website, 2 April 2019.