The Act creates the Sydney Olympic Park Authority, vests Sydney Olympic Park in it and centralises land ownership, planning, traffic, events and commercial powers in a single statutory body subject to Ministerial control. The Authority can lease land, set fees, form subsidiaries and run major events with statutory noise protections.
That concentrates benefits for developers, lessees and event operators, shifts some costs and noise risks to neighbours, and places significant discretion in the Minister and the Authority.
Mechanically, the Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act 2001 (the Act) creates a statutory corporation, the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (the Authority or SOPA), vests defined land in that corporation, and confers on it a wide package of land‑use, planning, roads and parkland management, commercial and regulatory functions and powers. The Act vests the land described in Schedule 1 (Sydney Olympic Park) in the Authority in fee simple (s 7), vests certain roads (s 8), and separately describes the Sydney Olympic Park Development Area (Schedule 2) and the Millennium Parklands (Schedule 3). It establishes the Authority as a statutory body representing the Crown (s 6) and sets out the Authority’s principal and ancillary functions (Pt 4, Div 1-6), governance architecture (Board, Chief Executive, committees , Pt 5), and enforcement, regulatory and offence regimes (Pt 4 Divs 4-6; Pt 6).
Key mechanical features:
Constitution and status: a corporate statutory body (ss 5-6) with a Board and Chief Executive (ss 61, 63), subject to ministerial control (s 60).
Land title and vesting: fee simple vesting of Sydney Olympic Park in the Authority with specified exceptions and preserved interests (ss 7, 10); Silverwater Nature Reserve (Newington Nature Reserve) excluded (s 9).
Planning and development: the Authority must prepare and maintain a master plan (s 18) and exercise broad functions to promote and manage development (s 13); the Minister for Planning is the consent authority for development within Sydney Olympic Park (s 22), and the Authority may be delegated certification functions (s 24).
Local government functions: the Authority has, in relation to Sydney Olympic Park, the functions of a council to the extent necessary (s 19), and may exercise some council functions to the exclusion of local councils (s 19(4)).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act 2001.
The objects of this Act are to make all reasonable attempts to—
(a) ensure that Sydney Olympic Park becomes an active and vibrant centre within metropolitan Sydney, and
(b) ensure that Sydney Olympic Park becomes a premium destination for cultural, entertainment, recreation and sporting events, and
(c) ensure that any new development carried out under or in accordance with this Act accords with best practice accessibility standards and environmental and town planning standards, and
(d) ensure the protection and enhancement of the natural heritage of the Millennium Parklands.
s 3: Am 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [1] [2].
4
Definitions
4 Definitions
4 Definitions
(1) In this Act—
Authority means the Sydney Olympic Park Authority constituted by this Act.
Chief Executive means the Chief Executive of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority.
Environmental Guidelines means the Environmental Guidelines for Sydney Olympic Park prepared by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and dated February 2008, as amended from time to time under this Act.
exercise a function includes perform a duty.
function includes a power, authority or duty.
Millennium Parklands means the land described in Schedule 3.
(a) a road within Sydney Olympic Park that is subject to a lease to the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales, or part of such a road, or
(b) a road (not being a public road within the meaning of the Roads Act 1993) that is prescribed by the regulations, or part of such a road.
ranger means a person appointed as a ranger under section 65 (1).
road means—
(a) a road within the meaning of section 4 (1) of the Road Transport Act 2013, or part of such a road, and
(b) a road related area within the meaning of section 4 (1) of the Road Transport Act 2013, or part of such a road related area.
Silverwater Nature Reserve (or Newington Nature Reserve) means the lands dedicated as Silverwater Nature Reserve for the purposes of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 by proclamation published in Government Gazette No 121 of 15 September 2000 at page 10588, and any modification to those lands, or the boundaries of those lands, proclaimed from time to time under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
Sydney Olympic Park means the land described in Schedule 1.
Sydney Olympic Park Development Area means the land described in Schedule 2.
The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.
(2) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.
s 4: Am 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [1] [2]; 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [3] [4]; 2011 No 41, Sch 5.57 [1]; 2013 No 19, Sch 4.75 [1]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [1] [2]; 2020 No 30, Sch 4.106[1]; 2025 No 48, Sch 2.17.
Part 2
Constitution of Authority
Part 2 Constitution of Authority
Part 2 Constitution of Authority
5
Constitution of Authority
5 Constitution of Authority
5 Constitution of Authority
(1) There is constituted by this Act a corporation with the corporate name of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority.
(2) The Authority may also be called SOPA and the use of that name has the same effect for all purposes as the use of its corporate name.
6
Status of Authority
6 Status of Authority
6 Status of Authority
The Authority is, for the purposes of any Act, a statutory body representing the Crown.
Part 3
Vesting of land
Part 3 Vesting of land
Part 3 Vesting of land
7
Vesting of Sydney Olympic Park
7 Vesting of Sydney Olympic Park
7 Vesting of Sydney Olympic Park
The lands comprising Sydney Olympic Park are vested in the Authority for an estate in fee simple, subject to this Part.
8
Vesting of certain roads
8 Vesting of certain roads
8 Vesting of certain roads
(1) Roads vested in Authority Without limiting section 7, the roads and lands shown coloured brown on the map marked “Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Olympic Park Road Transfers, Drawing number HS-P-P-1082” dated 29 May 2001, deposited in the office of the Authority, are vested in the Authority for an estate in fee simple.
(2) Roads vested in Auburn Council The roads and lands shown coloured green on the map marked “Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Olympic Park Road Transfers, Drawing number HS-P-P-1082” dated 29 May 2001, deposited in the office of the Authority, are vested in the Auburn Council for an estate in fee simple.
(3) Road status not affected This section does not cause a road to cease to be a road.
9
Silverwater Nature Reserve
9 Silverwater Nature Reserve
9 Silverwater Nature Reserve
Silverwater Nature Reserve is not vested in the Authority.
10
Nature of vesting
10 Nature of vesting
10 Nature of vesting
(1) Lands vested in the Authority by this Part are vested subject to any trusts, obligations, estates, interests, charges and rates existing in respect of them immediately before the lands were vested in the Authority, except as provided by this Act.
(2) This Part does not operate to vest in the Authority any pipeline or cable, or any apparatus used in connection with any pipeline or cable, that—
(a) was situated on or in any part of the principal trust lands within the meaning of the Bicentennial Park Trust Act 1987 immediately before they were vested in the Authority, and
(b) was laid or constructed by or on behalf of the Australian Gas Light Company, the Electricity Commission of New South Wales, the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board, the Sydney County Council or C.S.R. Chemicals Limited.
(3) However, the encumbrances that are highlighted in orange in the list of encumbrances specified on the map marked “Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Redundant Encumbrances, Drawing number HS-J-L-007” dated 29 May 2001, deposited in the office of the Authority, are extinguished by this section.
11
Preservation of rights under existing agreements
11 Preservation of rights under existing agreements
11 Preservation of rights under existing agreements
Except to the extent otherwise provided by this Act or the regulations, the rights of any person under an agreement entered into with OCA that is in force immediately before 1 July 2001 are not affected by this Act.
12
No compensation payable
12 No compensation payable
12 No compensation payable
No compensation is payable to any person as a consequence of the operation of this Part.
Part 4
Functions of Authority
Part 4 Functions of Authority
Part 4 Functions of Authority
Division 1
Principal functions
Division 1 Principal functions
Division 1 Principal functions
13
Functions—generally
13 Functions—generally
13 Functions—generally
(1) The Authority has the following functions—
(a) to promote, co-ordinate and manage the orderly and economic development and use of Sydney Olympic Park, including the provision and management of infrastructure,
(b) to promote, co-ordinate, organise, manage, undertake, secure, provide and conduct cultural, sporting, educational, commercial, residential, tourist, recreational, entertainment and transport activities and facilities (including the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre),
(c) to protect and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of Sydney Olympic Park, particularly the Millennium Parklands,
(d) to provide, operate and maintain public transport facilities within Sydney Olympic Park,
(e) to liaise with and maintain arrangements with Olympic organisations, such as the International Olympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee Incorporated.
(2) (Repealed)
s 13: Am 2006 No 2, Sch 4.68 [1]; 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [3]; 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [5]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [3].
14
Other functions
14 Other functions
14 Other functions
(1) The Authority has such other functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act.
(2) The Authority may do all such supplemental, incidental or consequential acts as may be necessary or expedient for the exercise of its functions.
15
Exercise of functions—principles of ecologically sustainable development
15 Exercise of functions—principles of ecologically sustainable development
15 Exercise of functions—principles of ecologically sustainable development
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.
16
Land on which Authority’s functions may be exercised
16 Land on which Authority’s functions may be exercised
16 Land on which Authority’s functions may be exercised
The Authority, with the consent of the Minister, may exercise its functions (other than its functions under Divisions 2–5) on or in relation to land outside Sydney Olympic Park.
Division 2
Local government and environmental planning functions
Division 2 Local government and environmental planning functions
Division 2 Local government and environmental planning functions
17
Interpretation: Division 2
17 Interpretation: Division 2
17 Interpretation: Division 2
(1) For the purposes of this Division, development is carried out by the Authority if the development is carried out by, for or on behalf of the Authority.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to the extent that the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires.
18
Master plan
18 Master plan
18 Master plan
(1) For the purpose of assisting it in the exercise of its functions under this Act, the Authority is to prepare and maintain a master plan for Sydney Olympic Park.
(2) The master plan may make provision for or with respect to the following—
(a) the development and use of land and buildings,
(b) the provision of public transport services,
(c) the management of roads,
(d) the protection, enhancement and use of waterfront areas, parklands and areas of natural vegetation,
(e) the use and management of the public domain.
(2A) Provisions of the master plan may apply to the whole or any part of Sydney Olympic Park.
(3) The Authority, in preparing the master plan, must ensure that public notice of the draft plan is given in a newspaper circulating throughout the State.
(4) The master plan has no effect unless it is approved by the Minister for Planning. The Minister may not approve the master plan unless it complies with the requirements of the environmental planning instrument referred to in subsection (7).
(5) The Minister for Planning must not approve the master plan, or any amendment of the master plan, unless that Minister has considered whether the master plan or the amendment is consistent with the Environmental Guidelines.
(6) The master plan for Sydney Olympic Park must be consistent with the plan of management for the Millennium Parklands under Division 3 of this Part.
(7) An environmental planning instrument (within the meaning of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979) or the regulations made under that Act, or both, must make provision for or with respect to the application and effect of the master plan and public exhibition requirements for the master plan.
s 18: Am 2008 No 114, Sch 2.32 [1]; 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [6].
19
Authority’s functions as a local government council
19 Authority’s functions as a local government council
19 Authority’s functions as a local government council
(1) The Authority, in relation to Sydney Olympic Park, has and may exercise to any necessary extent the functions of a council (within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993) under—
(a) sections 24, 25, 26 and 46 of this Act, and
(b) a provision of any other Act or a statutory instrument that is specified by the regulations,
and, for the purpose of the exercise of those functions, Sydney Olympic Park may be taken to be an area (within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993).
(2) The regulations may specify a provision of any other Act or a statutory instrument as in force for the time being or as in force at a date specified by the regulations.
(3) A function conferred on the Authority under this section is subject to such modifications (if any) as may be specified in the regulations.
(4) If the Authority so determines, it may exercise a function conferred on it under this section to the exclusion of a council.
(5) The Authority may revoke a determination under this section.
(6) The Authority must notify the making or revocation of a determination under this section to any council affected by it.
(7) Subsections (1) and (2) do not extend to a function the exercise of which is delegated to a council by TfNSW unless TfNSW consents to the exercise of the function by the Authority.
s 19: Am 2011 No 41, Sch 5.57 [2]; 2020 No 30, Sch 4.106[2].
20
Development to be consistent with Environmental Guidelines
20 Development to be consistent with Environmental Guidelines
20 Development to be consistent with Environmental Guidelines
Before carrying out any proposed development, the Authority is to consider whether the proposed development is consistent with the Environmental Guidelines.
21
Environmental planning instruments and development control plans
21 Environmental planning instruments and development control plans
21 Environmental planning instruments and development control plans
The Authority may, at the request of the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment, provide resources or undertake work in relation to the preparation of environmental planning instruments and development control plans under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
s 21: Am 2004 No 91, Sch 2.77; 2008 No 114, Sch 2.32 [1]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [4].
22
Consent authority
22 Consent authority
22 Consent authority
(1) The consent authority for any development carried out by any person on land within Sydney Olympic Park is the Minister for Planning.
(2) In determining an application for consent to carry out development on land within Sydney Olympic Park, the Minister for Planning must consider the consistency of the proposed development with the Environmental Guidelines.
s 22: Am 2008 No 114, Sch 2.32 [1].
23
Contributions under sec 94 of EP and A Act
23 Contributions under sec 94 of EP and A Act
23 Contributions under sec 94 of EP and A Act
The Minister for Planning may prepare and approve a contributions plan under Division 6 of Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for use in relation to the determination of applications to carry out development for which the Minister is the consent authority under section 22.
s 23: Am 2005 No 19, Sch 2.3; 2008 No 114, Sch 2.32 [1].
(2) In the exercise of the functions delegated in accordance with this section, the Authority is taken to be a consent authority for the purposes of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
(2) The approval of a council is not required for any plan that is approved by the Authority in the exercise of those functions.
s 26: Am 2015 No 51, Sch 9.22; 2021 No 6, Sch 5.21.
27
Development of major sites not owned by Authority within Sydney Olympic Park Development Area
27 Development of major sites not owned by Authority within Sydney Olympic Park Development Area
27 Development of major sites not owned by Authority within Sydney Olympic Park Development Area
A person cannot make a development application for consent to carry out development on land—
(a) that is not owned by the Authority, and
(b) that is within the Sydney Olympic Park Development Area, and
(c) that—
(i) has an area of not less than 10,000 square metres, or
(ii) comprises or will result in development having not less than 20,000 square metres of built space,
unless the person has first notified the Authority of the application in writing.
Division 3
Millennium Parklands
Division 3 Millennium Parklands
Division 3 Millennium Parklands
28
Authority’s objects concerning the Millennium Parklands
28 Authority’s objects concerning the Millennium Parklands
28 Authority’s objects concerning the Millennium Parklands
The objects of the Authority in relation to the Millennium Parklands are as follows—
(a) to maintain and improve the Millennium Parklands,
(b) to encourage the use and enjoyment of the Millennium Parklands by the public by promoting and increasing the recreational, historical, scientific, educational and cultural value of the Millennium Parklands,
(c) to maintain, in accordance with any relevant plan of management referred to in this Part and the regulations, the public’s right to the use of the Millennium Parklands,
(d) to ensure the protection of the environment within the Millennium Parklands,
(e) in relation to the Newington Nature Reserve, to ensure the achievement of the purposes for which the nature reserve is deemed to be dedicated under section 49 (3) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974,
(f) such other objects, consistent with the functions of the Authority in relation to the Millennium Parklands, as the Authority considers appropriate.
29
Authority’s functions concerning the Millennium Parklands
29 Authority’s functions concerning the Millennium Parklands
29 Authority’s functions concerning the Millennium Parklands
The Authority has the following functions in relation to the Millennium Parklands—
(a) to maintain the Millennium Parklands,
(b) to permit the use of the whole or any part of the Millennium Parklands for activities of a recreational, historical, scientific, educational or cultural nature,
(c) to exercise such other functions of the Authority as are necessary or convenient in order to give effect to any relevant plan of management referred to in this Part.
(1) This section applies to the Silverwater Nature Reserve dedicated by proclamation published in Government Gazette No 121 of 15 September 2000 at page 10588.
(2) The name of the nature reserve is altered to Newington Nature Reserve.
(4) Nothing in this Act affects the continuing application of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, and the regulations under that Act, to the Newington Nature Reserve.
(5) In order to assist the making of future additions of land to the Newington Nature Reserve, the Authority must manage the lands adjoining the Reserve in sympathy with the Reserve.
31
Prohibition against disposal or compulsory acquisition
31 Prohibition against disposal or compulsory acquisition
31 Prohibition against disposal or compulsory acquisition
(1) The Authority must not sell, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the Millennium Parklands, or any part of the Millennium Parklands.
(2) Despite any other Act, the Millennium Parklands, or any part of the Millennium Parklands, cannot be compulsorily acquired except by an Act of Parliament.
(3) This section does not affect the operation of section 32.
32
Grant of leases, easements and licences
32 Grant of leases, easements and licences
32 Grant of leases, easements and licences
(1) The Authority may, in accordance with the provisions of this section and with the approval of the Minister, grant—
(a) leases of parts of the Millennium Parklands, and
(b) easements through, on or in the Millennium Parklands, and
(c) licences for use of parts of the Millennium Parklands.
(2) A lease, licence or any other interest or estate in respect of the Millennium Parklands may be granted by the Authority—
(a) for the provision of public utilities and works associated with or ancillary to public utilities, or
(b) in accordance with an express authorisation in the plan of management for the Millennium Parklands and with such provisions of the plan of management as apply to the granting of the lease, licence or other interest or estate.
(3) The plan of management is to specify the purpose for which any such lease, licence or other interest or estate is to be granted by tender only.
(4) If the Authority proposes to grant a lease, licence or other interest or estate in respect of the Millennium Parklands, the Authority must—
(a) give public notice of the proposal, and
(b) exhibit notice of the proposal on the land to which the proposal relates, and
(c) give notice of the proposal to such persons as appear to the Authority to own or occupy the land adjoining the land to which the proposal relates.
(5) The notice of the proposal must include—
(a) information sufficient to identify the land concerned, and
(b) the purpose for which the land will be used under the proposed lease, licence or other interest or estate, and
(c) the full term of the proposed lease, licence or other interest or estate, and
(d) the name (if known) of the person to whom it is proposed to grant the lease, licence or other interest or estate, and
(e) a statement that submissions in writing may be made with respect to the granting of the proposed lease, licence or other interest or estate within such period (of not less than 28 days) as is specified in the notice.
(6) Any person may make a submission in writing on the proposal to the Authority during the period specified in the notice.
(7) The Authority must, before granting the proposed lease, licence or other interest or estate, take into consideration all submissions duly made to it.
(8) In addition to any other restrictions created by a lease granted under subsection (1), land that is the subject of any such lease cannot be sublet for a purpose other than a purpose for which the land is permitted to be used under the plan of management.
(9) The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, impose restrictions on the use of, or impose positive covenants on, the Millennium Parklands or other lands in accordance with sections 88D and 88E of the Conveyancing Act 1919.
(10) A lease granted under subsection (1) (a) may not have a term that, together with the term of any further lease that may be granted pursuant to an option contained in the lease, exceeds 25 years.
(11) Subsection (10) does not apply to a lease that—
(a) grants to Cawbac Pty Limited (or any transferee, assignee or successor in title) the same estate or interest in the Millennium Parklands as it had under a lease of the same lands in force immediately before 1 January 1988, and
(b) is for a term that, together with any further term available on the exercise of an option for a further lease, expires not later than 31 December 2009.
(12) This section does not apply to the Newington (formerly Silverwater) Nature Reserve.
(12A) Despite subsection (1), the Chief Executive, or a member of staff of the Authority designated in writing by the Chief Executive for the purposes of this subsection, may grant a licence referred to in subsection (1) (c) that is for a term of 5 years or less without having to obtain the Minister’s approval for the grant.
(13) In this section, easement includes an easement without a dominant tenement referred to in section 88A of the Conveyancing Act 1919.
s 32: Am 2017 No 63, Sch 1.19.
33
Precincts
33 Precincts
33 Precincts
(1) The Authority may divide the Millennium Parklands into precincts.
(2) The Authority may abolish one or more precincts or change the boundaries of a precinct.
(3) The Authority may name or rename a precinct.
34
Preparation of plan of management
34 Preparation of plan of management
34 Preparation of plan of management
(1) The Authority, in accordance with any directions of the Minister, must prepare or ensure the preparation of a plan of management for the Millennium Parklands.
(2) The plan of management is to contain a detailed written scheme of the operations proposed to be undertaken in respect of the Millennium Parklands.
(3) The plan of management may incorporate a plan of management prepared by the Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage under Part 5 (Plans of management) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 in relation to the Newington Nature Reserve.
(4) Sections 36–36N of the Local Government Act 1993 (other than sections 36 (1) and (2), 36A (2), 36A (3) (d) and (5), 36B (3), (4) (d) and (6), 36C (2) and (5) and 36D (2), (3) (d) and (5) of that Act) apply to and in respect of the Millennium Parklands as if—
(a) the Millennium Parklands were community land within the meaning of that Act, and
(b) the Authority were a council within the meaning of that Act, and
(c) section 36 (4) of that Act included “contaminated land” as a category.
(5) A plan of management, and a report that includes a summary of public submissions and responses by the Authority, must be available for public inspection at, and purchase from, the office of the Authority during ordinary office hours.
(6) The Authority must ensure that the plan of management includes, after consultation with the Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage, a proposal that land adjoining the Newington Nature Reserve is to be managed as a buffer to that reserve.
s 34: Am 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [5].
35
Adoption of plan of management
35 Adoption of plan of management
35 Adoption of plan of management
(1) When the plan of management has been prepared, the Authority is to give public notice that the plan has been prepared and must, in the notice—
(a) specify the address of the place at which copies of the plan may be inspected, and
(b) specify the address to which representations in connection with the plan may be forwarded.
(2) Any person may, within one month after public notice is given, or within such longer period as may be specified in the notice, make representations to the Authority concerning the plan of management.
(3) The Authority must refer all representations to the Advisory Committee for Millennium Parklands established under section 62 for its consideration and advice.
(4) The Authority is to submit the plan of management to the Minister together with any comments and suggested amendments of the Advisory Committee for Millennium Parklands and a report that includes a summary of public submissions and responses by the Authority.
(5) The Minister may—
(a) adopt the plan of management, without alteration or with such alterations as the Minister thinks fit, or
(b) refer the plan of management back to the Authority for further consideration.
(6) The Minister must not adopt the plan of management unless the Minister for the Environment has concurred in the adoption of the plan.
(7) Once the plan of management is adopted, any member of the public is entitled to inspect, free of charge, at the office of the Authority during ordinary office hours—
(a) a copy of the plan, and
(b) a copy of a report on the public submissions, and the responses by the Authority, made in respect of the plan.
(8) The Minister must not adopt the plan of management, or any amendment of a plan of management, unless the Minister has considered the consistency of the plan, or the amendment, with the Environmental Guidelines.
36
Amendment or cancellation of plan of management
36 Amendment or cancellation of plan of management
36 Amendment or cancellation of plan of management
(1) The Authority may, in accordance with any directions of the Minister—
(a) amend the plan of management from time to time, or
(b) cancel the plan of management and substitute a new plan.
(2) Sections 34 and 35 apply to an amendment of the plan of management or the substitution of the plan of management in the same way as they apply to the preparation or the adoption of the plan of management.
(3) However, sections 34 and 35 do not apply to a plan of management made as referred to in section 34 (3) that is incorporated into the plan of management.
37
Carrying out of plan of management
37 Carrying out of plan of management
37 Carrying out of plan of management
(1) The Authority is to carry out and give effect to a plan of management adopted by the Minister.
(2) The Millennium Parklands must be used and managed in accordance with the plan of management.
(3) Pending adoption of the plan, the nature and use of the Millennium Parklands cannot be changed.
37A
Special provisions for Hill Road upgrade
37A Special provisions for Hill Road upgrade
37A Special provisions for Hill Road upgrade
(1) This section applies to land shown edged heavy black on the Hill Road Upgrade Map in Schedule 5 (the Hill Road upgrade land).
(2) Section 31 does not apply to the Hill Road upgrade land.
(3) The Hill Road upgrade land ceases to be part of the Millennium Parklands if the land is sold, disposed of or compulsorily acquired.
(4) A plan of management does not prevent works for the purposes of upgrading Hill Road and ancillary activities being carried out on the Hill Road upgrade land.
s 37A: Ins 2023 No 20, Sch 1[1].
Division 4
Roads and traffic management functions
Division 4 Roads and traffic management functions
Division 4 Roads and traffic management functions
38
Roads
38 Roads
38 Roads
(1) A road within Sydney Olympic Park cannot be provided, opened, dedicated, closed (within the meaning of Part 4 of the Roads Act 1993) or realigned by the Crown, a public authority or any person except with the consent of the Authority.
(2) Except as provided by subsection (1), this Division does not affect the application of the Roads Act 1993 or any other Act to a road within Sydney Olympic Park.
39
Roads for which Authority is roads authority
39 Roads for which Authority is roads authority
39 Roads for which Authority is roads authority
The Authority is the roads authority under the Roads Act 1993 in relation to the public roads within Sydney Olympic Park that are vested in it.
40
Private roads
40 Private roads
40 Private roads
A private road, or part of a private road, within Sydney Olympic Park cannot be—
(a) provided, opened, closed or realigned, or
(b) regulated in its use, or
(c) used for a purpose other than a road,
except with the consent of the Authority.
41
Traffic management plans
41 Traffic management plans
41 Traffic management plans
(1) The Authority is to prepare a traffic management plan, or plans, for all roads within Sydney Olympic Park, including roads that are coloured mauve on the drawing marked “Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Olympic Park, Drawing Number HS-J-L-006” dated 29 May 2001 and deposited in the office of the Authority.
(2) The Authority—
(a) may control and regulate traffic in any manner and for any purpose, and
(b) may temporarily close a road at any time and for any purpose,
in accordance with a traffic management plan.
(3) A traffic management plan may, with the consent of the owner or occupier of a private road, apply to a private road within Sydney Olympic Park in the same way as it applies to roads within Sydney Olympic Park that are not private roads, subject to subsection (4).
(4) A traffic management plan cannot authorise the closure of a private road unless the owner or occupier of the private road has consented to the closure. Such a consent may be given generally or in a particular case or class of cases.
(5) A traffic management plan is to be prepared in consultation with TfNSW and does not have effect unless and until TfNSW has consented in writing to the plan.
(6) The consent of TfNSW under subsection (5) is taken to be a consent for the purposes of the Roads Act 1993 and the road transport legislation (within the meaning of the Road Transport Act 2013) in so far as the consent of TfNSW would, but for this subsection, be required under that Act or that legislation in relation to any matter dealt with in or arising under the traffic management plan.
(7) The Authority may amend a traffic management plan from time to time. Subsection (5) applies to the amendment of a traffic management plan in the same way as it applies to a traffic management plan.
(8) Nothing in this section affects the functions of the Authority as a roads authority under the Roads Act 1993.
s 41: Am 2005 No 11, Sch 3.44 [1]; 2011 No 41, Sch 5.57 [2]; 2013 No 19, Sch 4.75 [2]; 2020 No 30, Sch 4.106[2].
42
Offences relating to road closures
42 Offences relating to road closures
42 Offences relating to road closures
(1) If, under this Part, a road is closed to vehicles (whether or not it is also closed to pedestrians) by the use of a sign or barrier—
(a) a person must not bring a vehicle onto the road contrary to the sign or by interfering with the barrier, except as permitted by a person authorised by the Authority or TfNSW, or a police officer, and
(b) a person in charge of a vehicle situated on the road—
(i) who is informed by a person authorised by the Authority or TfNSW, or a police officer, that the road is closed, and
(ii) who is directed by such a person, or a police officer, to remove the vehicle from the road,
must remove the vehicle from the road as soon as practicable after the direction is given.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
(2) If, under this Part, a road is closed to pedestrians (whether or not it is also closed to vehicles) by use of a sign or barrier—
(a) a person must not enter the road contrary to the sign or by interfering with the barrier, except as permitted by a person authorised by the Authority or TfNSW, or a police officer, or
(b) a person on the road—
(i) who is informed by a person authorised by the Authority or TfNSW, or a police officer, that the road is closed, and
(ii) who is directed by such a person, or a police officer, to leave the road,
must leave the road as soon as practicable after the direction is given.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
(3) A person must not damage, remove or interfere with a sign or barrier erected or provided for the purpose of closing a road under this Part, except as permitted by a person authorised by the Authority or TfNSW, or a police officer.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
s 42: Am 2005 No 11, Sch 3.44 [1]; 2011 No 41, Sch 5.57 [2]; 2020 No 30, Sch 4.106[2].
43
Effect of road closure
43 Effect of road closure
43 Effect of road closure
A road, or any part of a road, within Sydney Olympic Park does not cease to be a road for the purposes of the road transport legislation (within the meaning of the Road Transport Act 2013), the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 or any other Act or law because it is closed or access to it is restricted or the use of it is restricted under this or any other Act.
s 43: Am 2005 No 11, Sch 3.44 [2]; 2013 No 19, Sch 4.75 [3].
44
Removal of unattended motor vehicles and trailers
44 Removal of unattended motor vehicles and trailers
44 Removal of unattended motor vehicles and trailers
(1) This section applies to an unattended motor vehicle or trailer at Sydney Olympic Park that—
(a) is standing unlawfully, or
(b) constitutes a danger to persons or property, or
(c) is causing an obstruction.
(2) The Authority may, at any time, direct a person authorised by the Authority to remove an unattended motor vehicle or trailer to which this section applies from Sydney Olympic Park, or from any part of Sydney Olympic Park to another part of Sydney Olympic Park, if the Authority is of the opinion that it is necessary to do so.
(3) Section 143 of the Road Transport Act 2013 applies to motor vehicles or trailers to which this section applies in the same way as it applies to an unattended motor vehicle or trailer unlawfully standing on a prescribed place within the meaning of that section.
(4) In this section, motor vehicle and trailer have the same meanings as in the Road Transport Act 2013.
s 44: Am 2013 No 19, Sch 4.75 [4] [5].
45
Delegation of functions by TfNSW to the Authority
45 Delegation of functions by TfNSW to the Authority
45 Delegation of functions by TfNSW to the Authority
The effect of this section is to enable TfNSW to delegate any of its functions (other than the power of delegation) to the Authority.
s 45: Am 2011 No 41, Sch 5.57 [2]; 2020 No 30, Sch 4.106[2][3].
46
Parking
46 Parking
46 Parking
The Authority has, in relation to land within Sydney Olympic Park, the same functions as a council and other persons and bodies have under the statutory rules made under the Road Transport Act 2013 in respect of pay parking.
s 46: Am 2013 No 19, Sch 4.75 [6].
Division 5
Environment protection
Division 5 Environment protection
Division 5 Environment protection
47
47
47 (Repealed)
48
Maintenance and extension of water reuse system
48 Maintenance and extension of water reuse system
48 Maintenance and extension of water reuse system
(1) The Authority must maintain and extend, to the greatest extent practicable, the use of the Water Reclamation and Management Scheme at Sydney Olympic Park.
(2) The Authority must encourage the use of renewable energy.
48A
Legal proceedings and other noise abatement action
48A Legal proceedings and other noise abatement action
48A Legal proceedings and other noise abatement action
(1) No criminal proceedings, no civil proceedings (whether at law or in equity) and no noise abatement action may be taken against any person with respect to the emission of noise from Sydney Olympic Park in relation to a major event.
(2) The emission of such noise from Sydney Olympic Park does not constitute a public or private nuisance.
(3) This section does not apply to or in respect of noise that exceeds the maximum permissible noise level at the closest residential facade.
(4) This section does not limit or otherwise affect—
(a) the operation of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 or any instrument under that Act in its application to land comprising any part of Sydney Olympic Park, except section 121B of that Act to the extent the functions conferred by that section are not exercised by the Authority, or
(b) the functions of the Authority under sections 19 and 25 of this Act.
(5) For the purposes of this section—
closest residential facade, in relation to noise, means—
(a) the residential facade closest to the source of the noise, or
(b) if there is more than one source of noise, the residential facade closest to where the noise is loudest,
where a reference to a residential facade is a reference to an outside wall of a building containing residential accommodation.
major event means a business-oriented occasion or a cultural, social or sporting related occasion occurring on a single day, including an exhibition, a festival, a show and other like happening—
(a) designed for more than 10,000 patrons or participants at a single major event venue, or
(b) designed for more than 20,000 patrons or participants at two or more major event venues, or
(c) that involves a total floor area of temporary tents or marquees of more than 1,000 square metres, or
(d) that involves a total floor area of a temporary stage or platform of more than 300 square metres.
maximum permissible noise level means—
(a) a noise level of 85dB (A) (LA10, 15mins), or
(b) if some other noise level is prescribed by the regulations, that other level,
being, in either case, a noise level determined in accordance with—
(c) Australian Standard AS 1055.1—1997, Acoustics—Description and measurement of environmental noise, Part 1: General procedures, as in force from time to time, or
(d) Australian Standard AS 1259.1—1990, Acoustics—Sound level meters, Part 1: Non-integrating, as in force from time to time, or
(e) Australian Standard AS 2659.1—1988, Guide to the use of sound-measuring equipment, Part 1: Portable sound level meters, as in force from time to time.
(c) action of the kind that may be taken following a complaint under section 79 of the Liquor Act 2007, or
(d) any other action of a kind prescribed by the regulations.
s 48A: Ins 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [7].
Division 6
Ancillary functions
Division 6 Ancillary functions
Division 6 Ancillary functions
49
Amendment of Environmental Guidelines
49 Amendment of Environmental Guidelines
49 Amendment of Environmental Guidelines
(1) The Authority may, with the consent of the Minister, amend the Environmental Guidelines.
(2) Before the Minister gives consent to a proposed amendment to the Environmental Guidelines, the Authority must—
(a) give public notice of its intention to amend the Guidelines, and
(b) publicly exhibit the proposed amendment for a period of not less than 28 days.
(3) During the period of public exhibition referred to in subsection (2) (b), any person may make a written submission to the Authority concerning the proposed amendment.
(4) When submitting an amendment to the Minister for approval, the Authority must give the Minister a report that includes a summary of public submissions and responses by the Authority.
(5) The Environmental Guidelines may be amended only if—
(a) the proposed amendment will improve the environmental outcomes provided for in those Guidelines, and
(b) the Minister for Planning has been consulted on the proposed amendment.
(6) Any member of the public is entitled to inspect, free of charge, at the office of the Authority during ordinary business hours, a copy of the Environmental Guidelines and a copy of the report referred to in subsection (4).
s 49: Am 2008 No 114, Sch 2.32 [1].
50
Annual state of environment report
50 Annual state of environment report
50 Annual state of environment report
(1) The Authority must produce an annual report as to the state of the environment in Sydney Olympic Park, and in particular in relation to the following environmental sectors—
(a) land,
(b) air,
(c) water,
(d) biodiversity,
(e) waste,
(f) noise,
(g) Aboriginal heritage,
(h) non-Aboriginal heritage,
with particular reference, with regard to each such environmental sector, to—
(i) management plans relating to the environment, and
(j) special projects relating to the environment, and
(k) the environmental impact of activities at Sydney Olympic Park, and
(l) environmental impacts from the operation of buildings at Sydney Olympic Park.
(2) In preparing the report, the Authority must make reasonable endeavours to obtain information in relation to any land, building or facility that is not owned or under the control of the Authority and that is relevant for the purposes of this section.
(1) For the purposes of the Public Works Act 1912, any acquisition of land under this Act is taken to be for an authorised work, and the Authority is, in relation to that authorised work, taken to be the Constructing Authority.
(2) Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Public Works Act 1912 do not apply to or in respect of works constructed under this Act.
53
Dedication of land
53 Dedication of land
53 Dedication of land
(1) The Authority may, by notification published in the Gazette, declare that it proposes to surrender land described or referred to in the notification to the Crown to be dedicated—
(a) for any public purpose specified in the notification, or
(b) if so specified in the notification, as a public road.
(b) on revocation of the reservation, it may be dedicated under that Act for the public purpose specified in the notification or under section 12 of the Roads Act 1993 as a public road.
(3) The Authority may, in a notification published under subsection (1), limit the description of, or reference to, land to a specified depth below the surface of the land. If the description or reference is so limited, subsection (2) does not apply to land below the specified depth.
(4) The Authority may, by notification published in the Gazette, declare any elevated or subterranean structure owned by the Authority that continues the line of a public road to be a public road. On the publication of the notification in the Gazette, the structure, except in relation to any vesting of the structure, is taken to be a public road.
s 53: Am 2017 No 17, Sch 4.93 [1].
54
Acquisition of property by gift, devise or bequest
54 Acquisition of property by gift, devise or bequest
54 Acquisition of property by gift, devise or bequest
(1) The Authority may acquire by gift, devise or bequest any property for the purposes of this Act and may agree to carry out the conditions of any such gift, devise or bequest.
(2) The rule of law against remoteness of vesting does not apply to any condition of a gift, devise or bequest to which the Authority has agreed.
(3) The Duties Act 1997 does not apply to or in respect of any gift, devise or bequest made or to be made to the Authority.
55
Dealings with certain property acquired by gift, devise or bequest
55 Dealings with certain property acquired by gift, devise or bequest
55 Dealings with certain property acquired by gift, devise or bequest
(1) The Authority must not sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of or deal with property acquired by gift, devise or bequest except—
(a) if the property has been acquired subject to a condition to which the Authority has agreed under section 54 (1), in accordance with the condition, or
(b) in any other case, with the approval of the Minister.
(2) Despite subsection (1) but subject to subsection (3), if the Authority decides that any property that has been acquired by the Authority subject to a condition to which the Authority has agreed under section 54 (1) is not required for the purposes of the Authority, the Authority may—
(a) sell the property and retain the proceeds of the sale as property of the Authority, or
(b) exchange the property for other property, or
(c) if the Authority is of the opinion that the property is of no commercial value, dispose of the property without valuable consideration,
in contravention of the condition.
(3) The Authority must not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of any property under subsection (2) except with the consent of the Minister and in accordance with any condition the Minister may impose upon the grant of that consent.
(4) The Minister may consent to the sale, exchange or disposal of property for the purposes of this section and may impose any condition the Minister thinks fit upon the grant of that consent.
56
Exercise of Authority’s functions
56 Exercise of Authority’s functions
56 Exercise of Authority’s functions
The Authority, in the exercise of its functions, may arrange for the use of the services of any other person.
57
Delegation of Authority’s functions
57 Delegation of Authority’s functions
57 Delegation of Authority’s functions
(1) The Authority may delegate to an authorised person any of its functions, other than this power of delegation.
(2) A delegate may sub-delegate to an authorised person any function delegated by the Authority if the delegate is authorised in writing to do so by the Authority.
(3) In this section, authorised person means—
(a) a member of staff of the Authority, or
(b) a subsidiary corporation referred to in section 58, or
(c) a council or the general manager of a council, or
(d) a person or persons—
(i) approved by the Minister, or
(ii) approved by the Authority, or
(iii) prescribed by the regulations.
s 57: Am 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [4]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [6].
58
Subsidiary corporations
58 Subsidiary corporations
58 Subsidiary corporations
(1) In this section—
private corporation means a corporation within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, whether formed in or outside New South Wales.
subsidiary corporation means a private corporation in which the Authority has a controlling interest.
(2) The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister—
(a) in relation to private corporations—
(i) form, or participate in the formation of, a private corporation, and
(ii) acquire interests in a private corporation, and
(iii) sell or otherwise dispose of interests in a private corporation, and
(b) in relation to subsidiary corporations—
(i) form, or participate in the formation of, a subsidiary corporation, and
(ii) acquire an interest in a private corporation so that, as a result of the acquisition, the corporation becomes a subsidiary corporation, and
(iii) sell or otherwise dispose of any interest in a subsidiary corporation so that, as a result of the sale or disposal, it ceases to be a subsidiary corporation.
(3) The Minister must not give such an approval except with the concurrence of the Treasurer.
(4) A private corporation in which the Authority has an interest (including a subsidiary corporation) is not, and does not represent, the Crown.
s 58: Am 2001 No 34, Sch 4.62 (am 2001 No 112, Sch 2.10 [2]).
59
Joint ventures
59 Joint ventures
59 Joint ventures
The Authority may carry on a joint venture (within the meaning of the Government Sector Finance Act 2018) in accordance with Part 6 of that Act.
s 59: Subst 2018 No 70, Sch 3.58.
Part 5
Management of Authority
Part 5 Management of Authority
Part 5 Management of Authority
60
Ministerial control
60 Ministerial control
60 Ministerial control
The Authority is subject to the control and direction of the Minister in the exercise of its functions.
61
Board of Authority
61 Board of Authority
61 Board of Authority
(1) There is to be a Board of the Authority.
(2) The Board is to consist of the following members—
(a) the Chief Executive or a member of staff of the Authority nominated by the Chief Executive,
(b) not less than 3 persons appointed by the Minister.
(3) The Minister must ensure that at least one member of the Board is appointed from the private sector.
(4) Of the members appointed by the Minister, one is to be appointed by the Minister as Chairperson of the Board.
(5) The Minister may appoint a member as Deputy Chairperson of the Board.
(6) Schedule 4 has effect with respect to the constitution and procedure of the Board.
s 61: Am 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [5]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [6] [7].
62
Committees
62 Committees
62 Committees
(1) The Board may establish one or more committees to assist it in connection with the exercise of its functions.
(2) The Board must establish a committee to be known as the Advisory Committee for Millennium Parklands. The Advisory Committee for Millennium Parklands may make recommendations to the Board with respect to the care, control and management of the Millennium Parklands.
(3) A committee has such functions as are conferred on it by or under this Act and as the Board may from time to time determine in respect of it.
(4) At least one member of a committee must be a member of the Board, but otherwise a member of a committee need not be a member of the Board.
(5) Before appointing a person (other than a member of the Board) as a member of the Advisory Committee for Millennium Parklands, the Board must consult with the Minister administering this Act and the Minister for the Environment.
(6) A committee member holds office for such period as may be specified by the Board, but the Board may terminate the appointment of a committee member at any time.
(7) The proceedings of a committee are to be presided over by the member of the committee who is a member of the Board or, if there is more than one such member, by the member determined by the Board.
(8) Subject to subsection (7), the procedure for the calling of meetings of a committee and for the conduct of business at those meetings is to be decided by the Board or (subject to any decision of the Board) by the committee.
(9) A committee member is entitled to be paid such remuneration (including travelling and subsistence allowances) as the Minister may from time to time determine in respect of the member.
s 62: Am 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [6].
63
Chief Executive
63 Chief Executive
63 Chief Executive
(1) The Chief Executive is responsible for the day-to-day management of the affairs of the Authority in accordance with the specific policies and general directions of the Board.
(2) Any act, matter or thing done in the name of, or on behalf of, the Authority by the Chief Executive is taken to have been done by the Authority.
s 63: Am 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [7]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [7].
Section 59 of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 provides that the persons so employed (or whose services the Authority makes use of) may be referred to as officers or employees, or members of staff, of the Authority. Section 47A of the Constitution Act 1902 precludes the Authority from employing staff.
s 64: Rep 2006 No 2, Sch 4.68 [2]. Ins 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [8].
65
Rangers
65 Rangers
65 Rangers
(1) The Authority may appoint a person employed in the Public Service to be a ranger for the purposes of this Act.
(2) Rangers may include persons who are engaged by the Authority to provide services to the Authority. Such persons are subject to the control and direction of the Chief Executive while they are exercising the functions of a ranger.
(3) A ranger may exercise such functions as are conferred on a ranger by the regulations.
(4) The Authority is to provide each ranger with an identification card.
(5) An identification card is a card that—
(a) states that it is issued under this Act, and
(b) gives the name of the person to whom it is issued, and
(c) describes the nature of the powers conferred, and
(d) states the date (if any) on which it expires, and
(e) is signed by the Chief Executive, or a delegate of the Chief Executive.
(6) In the course of exercising the functions of a ranger under this Act, the ranger must, if requested to do so by a person affected by the exercise of any such function, produce the ranger’s identification card to the person.
s 65: Am 2006 No 2, Sch 4.68 [3] [4]; 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [7]; 2011 No 62, Sch 1.22; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [7] [9].
66
Obstructing or impersonating rangers
66 Obstructing or impersonating rangers
66 Obstructing or impersonating rangers
(1) A person who, without reasonable excuse, resists, obstructs, or attempts to obstruct, a ranger in the exercise of his or her functions is guilty of an offence.
(2) A person who impersonates a ranger is guilty of an offence.
(3) A person who threatens, intimidates or assaults a ranger in the exercise of his or her functions is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
Part 6
Miscellaneous
Part 6 Miscellaneous
Part 6 Miscellaneous
67
Use of name
67 Use of name
67 Use of name
A person, other than the Authority, must not use the name “Sydney Olympic Park” for a commercial purpose without the written consent of the Authority.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
68
Arrangements for use of copyright
68 Arrangements for use of copyright
68 Arrangements for use of copyright
(1) A public authority must not make any arrangement with an Olympic organisation for use of any matter for which the Olympic organisation owns or controls the copyright without the written consent of the Authority.
(2) An arrangement made in contravention of this section is void.
(3) In this section—
Olympic organisation means the International Olympic Committee or Australian Olympic Committee Incorporated.
public authority means—
(a) a Public Service agency, or
(b) a statutory body representing the Crown, or
(c) a State owned corporation, or
(d) any other public or local authority constituted by or under an Act.
s 68: Am 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [10].
69
Public inspection of drawings
69 Public inspection of drawings
69 Public inspection of drawings
Any person may inspect a drawing that is referred to in this Act and that is deposited in the office of the Authority without charge during the ordinary office hours of the Authority.
70
Disclosure of information
70 Disclosure of information
70 Disclosure of information
A person must not disclose any information obtained in connection with the administration or execution of this Act (or any other Act conferring or imposing functions on the Authority) unless that disclosure is made—
(a) with the consent of the person from whom the information was obtained, or
(b) in connection with the administration or execution of this Act (or any such other Act), or
(c) for the purposes of any legal proceedings arising out of this Act (or any such other Act) or of any report of any such proceedings, or
(d) in accordance with a requirement imposed under the Ombudsman Act 1974, or
(e) with other lawful excuse.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.
71
Misuse of information
71 Misuse of information
71 Misuse of information
(1) If, through association with the Authority, a person has knowledge of specific information relating to proposals made, or to be made, by the Authority in respect of the acquisition, development or disposal of land and that information is not generally known but, if generally known, might reasonably be expected to affect materially the market price of that land, the person contravenes this subsection if the person—
(a) deals, directly or indirectly, in that or in any other land for the purpose of gaining an advantage for the person by the use of that information, or
(b) divulges that information for the purpose of enabling another person to gain an advantage by using that information to deal, directly or indirectly, in that or in any other land.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
(2) If, through association with the Authority, a person is in a position to influence proposals made, or to be made, by the Authority in respect of the acquisition, development or disposal of land and does influence the proposals by securing the inclusion or alteration of any matter in, or the exclusion or omission of any matter from, the proposals, the person contravenes this subsection if—
(a) the person does so for the purpose of gaining an advantage for the person, or
(b) the person does so for the purpose of enabling another person to gain an advantage.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
(3) If—
(a) a contravention of subsection (1) occurs and an advantage referred to in that subsection is gained from any dealing in land to which the contravention relates, or
(b) a contravention of subsection (2) occurs and an advantage referred to in that subsection is gained from any dealing in land to which the contravention relates, being an advantage that would not have been gained if the proposals concerned had not been influenced,
any person who gained that advantage is, whether or not any person has been prosecuted for or convicted of an offence in respect of a contravention of subsection (1) or (2), liable to another person for the amount of any loss incurred by that other person by reason of the gaining of that advantage.
(4) If a loss referred to in subsection (3) is incurred by reason of an advantage gained from a dealing in land, the amount of the loss is the difference between the price at which the dealing was effected and—
(a) in the case of any dealing to which subsection (1) relates, the price that, in the opinion of the court before which it is sought to recover the amount of the loss, would have been the market price of the land at the time of the dealing if the specific information used to gain that advantage had been generally known at that time, or
(b) in any case to which subsection (2) relates, the price that, in the opinion of the court before which it is sought to recover the amount of the loss, would have been the market price of the land at the time of the dealing if the proposals concerned had not been influenced.
(5) An action to recover a loss referred to in subsection (3) may not be brought more than 5 years after the dealing in land in relation to which the loss was incurred.
(6) For the purposes of this section, a person is associated with the Authority—
(a) if the person is a member of the Board, or a member of a committee of the Board, or a member of staff of the Authority, or a person of whose services the Authority makes use, or who is otherwise appointed, employed or engaged, pursuant to this Act, or
(b) if the person is an employee of the Department within the meaning of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 or a person who is a member of a committee or subcommittee established by or under that Act, or
(c) if the person is an officer or an employee of a council, or
(d) if the person acts or has acted as banker, Australian legal practitioner, auditor or professional adviser or in any other capacity for the Authority, the Minister, the Department of Planning and Environment or a council, or
(e) where the person, so associated by virtue of paragraph (d), is a corporation, if the person is a director, manager or secretary of the corporation.
s 71: Am 2006 No 58, Sch 3.15; 2008 No 114, Sch 2.32 [1]; 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [4]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [6] [11] [12].
72
Personal liability
72 Personal liability
72 Personal liability
A matter or thing done or omitted to be done by the Authority, the Board, a member of the Board, a member of a committee of the Board, the Chief Executive or a person acting under the direction of the Authority, the Board or the Chief Executive does not, if the matter or thing was done or omitted to be done in good faith for the purpose of executing this or any other Act, subject a member of the Board, a member of the committee of the Board, the Chief Executive or the person so acting personally to any action, liability, claim or demand.
s 72: Am 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [7]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [7].
73
Financial year
73 Financial year
73 Financial year
(1) The financial year of the Authority is the year commencing on 1 July.
(2) However, the financial year of the Authority is to be the annual reporting period (if any) for the Authority if the Treasurer has made a determination under section 2.10 of the Government Sector Finance Act 2018 for that period to be different from the period referred to in subsection (1).
s 73: Am 2018 No 70, Sch 4.100.
74
Seal of Authority
74 Seal of Authority
74 Seal of Authority
The seal of the Authority is to be kept by the Chief Executive, or by a member of staff of the Authority authorised in that behalf by the Chief Executive, and may be fixed to a document only—
(a) in the presence of the Chief Executive or that member of the staff, and
(b) with an attestation by the signature of the Chief Executive or that member of staff of the fact of the fixing of the seal.
s 74: Am 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [7] [8]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [6] [7].
75
Recovery of money
75 Recovery of money
75 Recovery of money
Any charge, fee or money due or payable to the Authority may be recovered as a debt.
76
Act to bind Crown
76 Act to bind Crown
76 Act to bind Crown
This Act binds the Crown in right of New South Wales and, in so far as the legislative power of the Parliament of New South Wales permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.
77
Proceedings for offences
77 Proceedings for offences
77 Proceedings for offences
Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations are to be dealt with summarily before the Local Court.
s 77: Am 2007 No 94, Sch 4.
78
Liability of vehicle owner for certain parking offences
78 Liability of vehicle owner for certain parking offences
78 Liability of vehicle owner for certain parking offences
(1) This section applies to any offence against this Act or the regulations that arises from the parking of a vehicle on land at Sydney Olympic Park, other than a road (which in this section is referred to as a parking offence).
Note.
Parking offences that occur on roads, including roads at Sydney Olympic Park, are subject to Division 2 of Part 7.3 of the Road Transport Act 2013.
(2) If a parking offence occurs in relation to a vehicle, the person who at the time of the occurrence of the offence is the responsible person for the vehicle is taken to be guilty of the parking offence in all respects as if the responsible person were the actual offender guilty of the offence, unless—
(a) in a case in which the offence is dealt with by penalty notice, the person satisfies an authorised officer, or
(b) in any other case, the court hearing the proceedings for the offence is satisfied,
that the vehicle was, at the relevant time, a stolen vehicle or a vehicle illegally taken or used.
(3) Nothing in this section affects the liability of an actual offender in respect of a parking offence but, if a penalty has been imposed on, or recovered from, any person in relation to a parking offence, no further penalty can be imposed on or recovered from any other person in relation to the offence.
(4) Despite subsection (2), the responsible person for a vehicle is not guilty of a parking offence by the operation of that subsection if—
(a) in a case in which the offence is dealt with by penalty notice—the responsible person—
(i) within 21 days after service on the responsible person of a penalty notice for the offence, gives an authorised officer an approved nomination notice containing the name and address of the person who was in charge of the vehicle at all relevant times relating to the offence, or
(ii) satisfies the authorised officer that the responsible person did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained that name and address, or
(b) in any other case—the responsible person—
(i) within 21 days after service on the responsible person of a court attendance notice for the offence, gives the informant an approved nomination notice containing the name and address of the person who was in charge of the vehicle at all relevant times relating to the offence, or
(ii) satisfies the court hearing the proceedings for the offence that the responsible person did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained that name and address.
(4A) Despite any other provision of this Act, an approved nomination notice may be provided by the responsible person for a vehicle served with a penalty notice within 90 days of the notice being served on the person if the approved nomination notice is provided in the circumstances specified in section 23AA or 23AB of the Fines Act 1996.
(4B) If the responsible person for a vehicle supplies an approved nomination notice to an authorised officer or an informant for the purposes of this section, an authorised officer or informant may, by written notice served on the responsible person, require the responsible person to supply a statutory declaration for use in court proceedings that verifies the nomination contained in the approved nomination notice.
(5) A person must not, in an approved nomination notice or a statutory declaration supplied under this section falsely nominate another person as the person who was in charge of the vehicle at the time the offence occurred.
Maximum penalty—
(a) if the offence relates to a vehicle registered otherwise than in the name of a natural person—10 penalty units, or
(b) in any other case—5 penalty units.
(6) A statutory declaration under subsection (4B), if produced in any proceedings against the person named in the declaration and in respect of the parking offence concerned, is evidence (unless contrary evidence is adduced) that the person was in charge of the vehicle at all relevant times relating to the parking offence.
(7) An approved nomination notice or a statutory declaration that relates to more than one parking offence does not constitute an approved nomination notice or a statutory declaration under, or for the purposes of, subsection (4) or (4B).
(8) The provisions of this section are in addition to and not in derogation of any other provisions of this or any other Act or of any instrument in force under this or any other Act.
(9) In this section—
approved nomination notice has the same meaning as in section 38 of the Fines Act 1996.
authorised officer means—
(a) a person authorised by the Authority to exercise the functions of an authorised officer under this section, or
s 78: Am 2005 No 11, Sch 3.44 [3]; 2013 No 19, Sch 4.75 [7]; 2016 No 13, Sch 2.13 [1]–[8].
79
Penalty notices
79 Penalty notices
79 Penalty notices
(1) An authorised officer may issue a penalty notice to a person if it appears to the officer that the person has committed a penalty notice offence.
(2) A penalty notice offence is an offence against section 67, or an offence against the regulations, being an offence that is prescribed by the regulations as a penalty notice offence.
(3) The Fines Act 1996 applies to a penalty notice issued under this section.
Note.
The Fines Act 1996 provides that, if a person issued with a penalty notice does not wish to have the matter determined by a court, the person may pay the amount specified in the notice and is not liable to any further proceedings for the alleged offence.
(4) The amount payable under a penalty notice issued under this section is the amount prescribed for the alleged offence by the regulations (not exceeding the maximum amount of penalty that could be imposed for the offence by a court).
(5) This section does not limit the operation of any other provision of, or made under, this or any other Act relating to proceedings that may be taken in respect of offences.
(6) In this section, authorised officer means a person authorised in writing by the Authority as an authorised officer for the purposes of this section.
s 79: Am 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [8] [9]. Subst 2017 No 22, Sch 3.76.
80
Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2
80 Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2
80 Amendment of Schedules 1 and 2
(1) The regulations may amend Schedule 1 or 2—
(a) by omitting any matter, or
(b) by inserting any matter, or
(c) by altering any matter.
(2) The regulations may omit Schedule 1 or Schedule 2, or both, and insert instead a Schedule that specifies or describes land, or Schedules that specify or describe land, at or in the vicinity of Homebush Bay, or Sydney Olympic Park as it was constituted at any time before any such regulation took effect.
(3) Land that is not included in Schedule 1 or 2 on 1 July 2001 cannot be included in a Schedule by a regulation without the consent of the owner of the land.
(4) A regulation made for the purposes of this section may declare—
(a) that specified land is a road within the meaning of this Act, and
(b) that the Authority has the functions under Division 4 of Part 4 in relation to the land so specified.
81
Amendment of Schedule 3
81 Amendment of Schedule 3
81 Amendment of Schedule 3
The regulations may amend Schedule 3 to add to the land for the time being described in that Schedule—
(b) land of a public or local authority constituted by an Act of Parliament, or
(c) other land in respect of which the owner of the land has consented to its inclusion in Schedule 3.
s 81: Am 2017 No 17, Sch 4.93 [2].
82
Regulations
82 Regulations
82 Regulations
(1) The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.
(2) In particular, regulations may be made for or with respect to the following—
(a) the functions of the Authority and any member of staff of the Authority, including rangers,
(b) the fees and charges that may be imposed for the purposes of this Act,
(c) regulating or prohibiting the use by the public of any land within Sydney Olympic Park,
(d) regulating or prohibiting the use of facilities of the Authority, or in Sydney Olympic Park, and the provision of services by or on behalf of the Authority, or in Sydney Olympic Park,
(e) requiring the payment of fares or other charges for the use of any facility operated or service provided by or on behalf of the Authority, or in Sydney Olympic Park,
(f) authorising a person granted a lease, licence or other authority by the Authority to require the payment of fares or other charges for the use of any facility operated or service provided under the lease, licence or other authority,
(g) ensuring the proper conduct and safety of persons on any land within Sydney Olympic Park or while using any facility or service referred to in paragraph (e) or (f),
(h) providing for the removal of trespassers and persons causing nuisance or annoyance to others while within Sydney Olympic Park,
(i) conferring on the Authority any function that may be exercised by a council in relation to a public place.
(3) The regulations may create an offence punishable by a maximum penalty of 50 penalty units.
s 82: Am 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [4]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [6].
83
Repeal of Homebush Bay Operations Act 1999 No 77
83 Repeal of Homebush Bay Operations Act 1999 No 77
(4) Except to the extent otherwise provided by this Act or the regulations, the functions conferred on the Authority by or under this Act do not affect the provisions of any agreement entered into by the Olympic Co-ordination Authority before the commencement of this Act in relation to land within Sydney Olympic Park.
s 83: Am 2011 No 62, Sch 5.
84
84
84–87 (Repealed)
88
Savings, transitional and other provisions
88 Savings, transitional and other provisions
88 Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 8 has effect.
89
Review of Act
89 Review of Act
89 Review of Act
(1) The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.
(2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 5 years from the date of assent to this Act.
(3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 5 years.
Schedule 1
Sydney Olympic Park
Schedule 1 Sydney Olympic Park
Schedule 1 Sydney Olympic Park
(Section 4 (1))
The land that is shown coloured blue on the drawing marked “Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Olympic Park, Drawing Number HS-J-L-006” dated 29 May 2001 and deposited in the office of the Authority.
Schedule 2
Sydney Olympic Park Development Area
Schedule 2 Sydney Olympic Park Development Area
Schedule 2 Sydney Olympic Park Development Area
(Section 4 (1))
The land that is shown coloured yellow on the drawing marked “Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Olympic Park Development Area, Drawing Number HS-P-P-1100” dated 29 May 2001 and deposited in the office of the Authority.
Schedule 3
Millennium Parklands
Schedule 3 Millennium Parklands
Schedule 3 Millennium Parklands
(Section 4 (1))
The land that is shown coloured mauve on the drawing marked “Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Millennium Parklands Including Bicentennial Park, Drawing Number HS-J-L-005” dated 29 May 2001 and deposited in the office of the Authority.
Schedule 4
Constitution and procedure of Board
Schedule 4 Constitution and procedure of Board
Schedule 4 Constitution and procedure of Board
(Section 61 (6))
sch 4: Am 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [13].
Schedule 5
Hill Road Upgrade Map
Schedule 5 Hill Road Upgrade Map
Schedule 5 Hill Road Upgrade Map
section 37A
sch 5: Rep 2011 No 62, Sch 5. Ins 2023 No 20, Sch 1[2].
Schedule 6
Schedule 6
Schedules 6, 7 (Repealed)
sch 6: Am 2006 No 58, Sch 4. Rep 2011 No 62, Sch 5.
sch 7: Rep 2006 No 58, Sch 4.
Schedule 8
Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 8 Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 8 Savings, transitional and other provisions
(Section 88)
sch 8: Am 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [9]–[11]; 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [10].
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from legislation.nsw.gov.au, CC BY 4.0.
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act
1 Name of Act
1 Name of Act
This Act is the Sydney Olympic Park Authority Act 2001.
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
This Act commences on 1 July 2001.
3 Objects
3 Objects
3 Objects
The objects of this Act are to make all reasonable attempts to—
(a) ensure that Sydney Olympic Park becomes an active and vibrant centre within metropolitan Sydney, and
(b) ensure that Sydney Olympic Park becomes a premium destination for cultural, entertainment, recreation and sporting events, and
(c) ensure that any new development carried out under or in accordance with this Act accords with best practice accessibility standards and environmental and town planning standards, and
(d) ensure the protection and enhancement of the natural heritage of the Millennium Parklands.
s 3: Am 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [1] [2].
4 Definitions
4 Definitions
4 Definitions
(1) In this Act—
Authority means the Sydney Olympic Park Authority constituted by this Act.
Bicentennial Park Trust means the Bicentennial Park Trust constituted by the Bicentennial Park Trust Act 1987.
Chief Executive means the Chief Executive of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority.
Environmental Guidelines means the Environmental Guidelines for Sydney Olympic Park prepared by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and dated February 2008, as amended from time to time under this Act.
exercise a function includes perform a duty.
function includes a power, authority or duty.
Millennium Parklands means the land described in Schedule 3.
Minister for Planning means the Minister administering the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
OCA means the Olympic Co-ordination Authority constituted by the .
Millennium Parklands governance: objects, plan of management obligations, public notice and exhibition requirements, restrictions on sale and compulsory acquisition and detailed rules about leases and licences (ss 28-37).
Roads and traffic: the Authority is roads authority for vested public roads (s 39), controls provision, opening and realignment of roads within the Park (s 38), must prepare traffic management plans in consultation with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and obtain TfNSW consent (s 41), and has powers to remove vehicles and regulate parking (ss 44, 46, 78).
Event noise and liability carve‑outs: section 48A provides a statutory bar on criminal, civil and specified noise abatement action relating to noise from major events, subject to limits (see s 48A(1)-(4)).
Commercial and corporate powers: power to form or invest in private corporations and subsidiary corporations with Ministerial and Treasurer concurrence (s 58), and to carry on joint ventures under the Government Sector Finance Act 2018 (s 59).
Delegation, enforcement and offences: the Authority may delegate functions (s 57), authorise officers to issue penalty notices (s 79), create offences by regulation (s 82), and recover fees and charges as debts (s 75).
The Act states its objects in s 3: to make reasonable attempts to ensure Sydney Olympic Park becomes an active, vibrant and premium destination for cultural, entertainment, recreation and sporting events; to ensure development accords with accessibility, environmental and town planning standards; and to protect and enhance the natural heritage of the Millennium Parklands (s 3). The statutory machinery gives effect to those objects by centralising title, planning control and management in the Authority, subject to Ministerial oversight (s 60), Minister for Planning approval for master plans and contributions plans (ss 18(4), 23), and a range of public consultation and Environmental Guidelines requirements (s 18(5), s 49).
The Act also contains transitional and savings provisions transferring assets, staff and functions from predecessor bodies (Schedules and Sch 8, Part 2), and a schedule and regulation power permitting amendment of the land described in Schedules 1-3 (ss 80-81). The Act binds the Crown (s 76) and provides that proceedings for offences are to be dealt with summarily in the Local Court (s 77).
Main concepts
The Act organises a set of interlocking legal concepts: vesting of land, a corporate statutory authority, planning and consent authority roles, public‑land management and protective constraints, traffic and roads authority functions, regulatory and enforcement powers, and public consultation and environmental oversight. Each concept is embedded in cross‑references to other Acts, creating practical interfaces that determine who decides, who pays and what behaviour is authorised or prohibited.
Vesting and proprietary framework
Vested estate: Sydney Olympic Park is vested in the Authority for an estate in fee simple (s 7). Section 10 qualifies the vesting , vested lands remain subject to existing trusts, interests and encumbrances unless extinguished by the Act; certain pre‑existing pipelines, cables and apparatus remain outside the vesting (s 10(2)). Section 12 declares that no compensation is payable as a consequence of the vesting operations in Part 3.
Planning, master planning and Environmental Guidelines
Master plan: the Authority must prepare and maintain a master plan for Sydney Olympic Park (s 18(1)), which can cover development, transport, roads, waterfronts, parklands and public domain matters (s 18(2)). The master plan requires public notice of a draft (s 18(3)), has no effect unless approved by the Minister for Planning (s 18(4)) and must be consistent with the Environmental Guidelines and the Millennium Parklands plan of management (ss 18(5)-(6)). The Environmental Guidelines are prepared by the Authority and may be amended with Ministerial consent after public exhibition (s 49).
Consent authority: the Minister for Planning is the consent authority for any development within Sydney Olympic Park (s 22(1)); in determining applications the Minister must consider consistency with the Environmental Guidelines (s 22(2)). The Minister may prepare and approve contributions plans under s 94 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for developments for which the Minister is the consent authority (s 23).
Council and local‑government functions
The Authority may exercise functions of a council within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993 to any necessary extent in relation to Sydney Olympic Park (s 19(1)). The regulations may specify the other Acts under which those functions operate and the functions may be modified by regulation (s 19(2)-(3)). The Authority may, by determination, exercise a function to the exclusion of a council (s 19(4)), subject to notification obligations (s 19(6)).
Millennium Parklands special status
Objects and protections: the Authority’s objects in relation to the Millennium Parklands focus on maintenance, protection, public enjoyment and compliance with a plan of management (ss 28-29).
Non‑disposal and acquisition protections: the Authority must not sell, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the Millennium Parklands (s 31(1)), and the Parklands cannot be compulsorily acquired except by an Act of Parliament (s 31(2)).
Leases and licences: the Authority may grant leases, easements and licences in the Millennium Parklands with Ministerial approval and subject to detailed public notice and submissions procedures (s 32). Leases are limited in maximum aggregate term (s 32(10)), with limited exceptions (s 32(11)). The Authority must include tender provisions in the plan of management where relevant (s 32(3)).
Roads, traffic and TfNSW interface
Roads control: a road within the Park cannot be provided, opened, dedicated, closed or realigned without Authority consent (s 38(1)). The Authority is the roads authority for public roads vested in it (s 39).
Traffic management plans: the Authority must prepare traffic management plans (s 41(1)), may control traffic and temporarily close roads in accordance with such plans (s 41(2)), but must prepare plans in consultation with TfNSW and obtain TfNSW consent (s 41(5)). TfNSW consent is taken to satisfy Roads Act and road transport legislation consent requirements in relation to matters addressed in the traffic management plan (s 41(6)).
Event noise and legal shields
Major‑event noise: s 48A creates a statutory bar on criminal, civil and specified noise abatement action in relation to noise from Sydney Olympic Park during a major event, and declares the noise not to be a public or private nuisance, with a key exception where noise exceeds the maximum permissible noise level at the closest residential facade (s 48A(1)-(3)). The provision also preserves operation of specified planning and Authority functions (s 48A(4)) and defines “major event” and measurement standards (s 48A(5)).
Commercial powers and corporate structures
Subsidiaries and joint ventures: the Authority may form or participate in private corporations and subsidiary corporations with Minister and Treasurer approval (s 58), and may undertake joint ventures under the Government Sector Finance Act 2018 (s 59). Section 58 states that a private corporation in which the Authority has an interest does not represent the Crown (s 58(4)).
Transparency, information control and insider‑type rules
Public inspection and reporting: plans, guidelines and certain drawings must be publicly available (ss 34(5), 49(6), 69). The Authority must produce an annual state of environment report with specified environmental sector coverage (s 50).
Information offences and misuse provisions: s 70 restricts disclosure of information obtained under the Act subject to prescribed exceptions and prescribes a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units or six months imprisonment. Section 71 creates criminal and civil consequences for persons associated with the Authority who misuse non‑public information or improperly influence proposals related to acquisition, development or disposal of land; maximum criminal penalties are 20 penalty units and civil liability for loss is created (s 71(1)-(4)).
Rule‑making and regulatory scope
The Governor may make regulations for matters necessary to carry out the Act (s 82(1)), and regulations may create offences up to 50 penalty units (s 82(3)). Regulations may also amend Schedules 1-3 subject to owner consent and other safeguards (ss 80-81).
These concepts interlock to centralise strategic control over the Park’s land and development in a single statutory authority, while subjecting certain decisions to Ministerial approval, public consultation and cross‑agency consent (notably TfNSW and the Minister for Planning), and protecting designated natural heritage through statutory constraints.
Who it affects
The Act affects a range of stakeholders through property, regulatory and administrative mechanisms. The statutory language identifies who holds rights, who must act, who pays, and who may be constrained.
Primary public actors and decision‑makers
The Authority (SOPA): created by the Act (s 5) and vested with fee simple ownership of Sydney Olympic Park (s 7). The Authority is the primary manager, developer and regulator within the Park, with powers to grant leases, licences and easements (s 32), to prepare master plans (s 18), to exercise council functions (s 19), to be roads authority for vested roads (s 39), to prepare and administer traffic management plans (s 41) and to enforce offences (s 25, s 79). The Authority is subject to Ministerial control (s 60).
The Board and Chief Executive: Board members (including private sector appointment requirement, s 61(3)) make governance decisions; the Chief Executive manages day‑to‑day affairs (s 63), can be the Authority’s representative and may delegate authority (s 57). Appointed members are part‑time (Sch 4 cl 3) and subject to pecuniary interest disclosure rules (Sch 4 cl 8).
State Ministers and agencies
Minister for Planning: the Minister is the consent authority for development on land within the Park (s 22), must approve master plans (s 18(4-5)) and contributions plans (s 23), must concur with plan of management adoptions for the Millennium Parklands (s 35(6)), and must consent to amendments of Environmental Guidelines (s 49(1)). The Minister has control and direction of the Authority in exercise of its functions (s 60).
Transport for NSW (TfNSW): must be consulted and must consent in writing to traffic management plans; TfNSW consent is treated as satisfying statutory consents under the Roads Act and road transport legislation for matters dealt with in traffic management plans (s 41(5)-(6)). Section 45 makes the Authority an authorised person for the purposes of the Transport Administration Act so TfNSW may delegate functions to the Authority.
Other agencies: the Act cross‑references the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Local Government Act 1993, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, Conveyancing Act 1919 and others. These cross‑references import roles for various Ministers and statutory offices, for example the Minister for the Environment must concur in adoption of the Millennium Parklands plan of management (s 35(6)).
Private landowners, developers and tenants
Owners of land within Schedule 1/2/3: where land is included in the Schedules the Authority holds title (s 7) or the land is subject to special management rules; regulations may amend Schedules subject to owner consent (s 80(3)). Owners of major development sites not owned by the Authority within the Development Area must notify the Authority before lodging a development application where thresholds are met (s 27).
Lessees, licensees and prospective investors: the Authority may grant leases and licences (s 32), but leases of parts of the Millennium Parklands are subject to prior public notice, consultation and Ministerial approval and have term limits (ss 32(1)-(10)). The Authority may enter into joint ventures and form private corporations (ss 58-59) subject to Ministerial and Treasurer concurrence.
Residents, event organisers and visitors
Event organisers and commercial operators: the Act provides the Authority scope to promote, organise and conduct major events and commercial activities (s 13), and s 48A provides a statutory limitation on noise claims arising from major events subject to the maximum noise threshold at the closest residential facade. The Act authorises the Authority and lessees to require payment of fares or charges and to regulate use of facilities (s 82(2)(e-f)).
Local residents and neighbourhoods: residents in the vicinity of the Park are affected by traffic management plans (s 41), by noise regime carve‑outs for major events (s 48A), and by the Authority’s planning and development decisions where the Minister for Planning is the consent authority (s 22). The Act prescribes consultation procedures for plans and for proposed leases over the Millennium Parklands including public exhibition and minimum 28‑day submission periods (s 32(4)-(7), s 34(5)).
Councils and local government officers
Local councils: the Authority can exercise council functions in relation to the Park and may, if it determines, exercise a function to the exclusion of a council (s 19(4)-(6)). Where functions are delegated to councils by TfNSW consent is required (s 19(7)). The Act also transfers some staff and assets from predecessor bodies to the Authority (Sched Part 2, cl 3-9), affecting local government operational arrangements.
Public authorities and agencies using Olympic intellectual property
Public authorities wishing to arrange use of Olympic organisation copyright must obtain written consent of the Authority (s 68(1)). Contracts made in contravention are void (s 68(2)).
Persons associated with the Authority
Board members, staff, contractors and advisers: are subject to pecuniary interest disclosure rules (Sch 4 cl 8), insider/misuse provisions (s 71) and provisions protecting good‑faith acts from personal liability (s 72). Rangers may be appointed from Public Service staff and private staff who are engaged to provide services and must carry identification (s 65).
Those fined, prosecuted or affected by enforcement
Individuals and bodies committing offences under the Act or regulations can be fined or dealt with by penalty notices (ss 42, 66, 67, 70, 71, 79, 82). Proceedings for offences are dealt with summarily in the Local Court (s 77).
Overall, the Act centralises control over land and development at Sydney Olympic Park in a Crown statutory body, aligns planning decisions under the Minister for Planning, creates interfaces with TfNSW for traffic matters and imposes public consultation and environmental reporting obligations. It affects private developers, tenants, event operators, nearby residents and multiple State agencies through a combination of property vesting, delegated powers, consent authorities and offence regimes.
Key duties and rights
The Act sets out duties the Authority must perform, rights conferred on it and procedural rights for the public and third parties. It also specifies limitations on certain actions concerning the Millennium Parklands and prescribes processes for planning, leasing and regulatory compliance.
Principal duties of the Authority
Promote and manage development and use: the Authority must promote, co‑ordinate and manage the orderly and economic development and use of Sydney Olympic Park, including provision and management of infrastructure, and to promote and conduct cultural, sporting, commercial, residential and transport activities (s 13(1)(a)-(b)).
Protect Millennium Parklands: the Authority must protect and enhance natural and cultural heritage of the Park, in particular the Millennium Parklands (s 13(1)(c)); specific objects for the Millennium Parklands are in s 28.
Prepare and maintain master plan: the Authority must prepare and maintain a master plan for Sydney Olympic Park (s 18(1)), and consider Environmental Guidelines before carrying out development (s 20).
Maintain water reuse and encourage renewable energy: the Authority must maintain and extend the Water Reclamation and Management Scheme "to the greatest extent practicable" and encourage renewable energy (s 48).
Prepare traffic management plans: the Authority is required to prepare traffic management plans for all roads within the Park (s 41(1)) and may control and regulate traffic under those plans (s 41(2)).
Produce environmental reports: the Authority must produce an annual state of environment report covering specified environmental sectors and endeavour to obtain relevant information from land/buildings not owned or controlled by the Authority (s 50).
Duties in relation to the Millennium Parklands
Prepare plan of management: the Authority must prepare or ensure preparation of a detailed plan of management for the Millennium Parklands in accordance with Ministerial directions (s 34(1)-(2)).
Public participation and Ministerial adoption: the plan of management must be publicly exhibited, submissions referred to the Advisory Committee for Millennium Parklands (s 35(3)), and cannot be adopted by the Minister unless the Minister for the Environment concurs and the plan is consistent with Environmental Guidelines (s 35(5)-(6)).
Restrictions on disposal: the Authority must not sell, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the Millennium Parklands (s 31(1)); the Parklands cannot be compulsorily acquired except by Act of Parliament (s 31(2)).
Rights and powers of the Authority
Ownership and commercial rights: the Authority holds fee simple title to the Park (s 7) and may acquire land by agreement or compulsory acquisition per the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (s 51). The Authority may recover charges, fees and monies as a debt (s 75).
Granting leases, licences and easements: the Authority may grant leases, licences and easements in the Millennium Parklands with Ministerial approval and subject to public notice and consultation procedures (s 32). The Chief Executive may grant licences of 5 years or less without Ministerial approval (s 32(12A)).
Exercise of council functions: the Authority may exercise functions of a council with respect to specified Acts (s 19(1)) and may delegate or revoke determinations to exercise such functions (s 19(3)-(6)).
Roads and traffic powers: as roads authority for vested roads (s 39) the Authority controls roads within the Park, and may temporarily close roads and control traffic in accordance with traffic management plans (ss 38-41).
Enforcement: the Authority may exercise functions of a council under Part 9 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (s 25) and authorise officers to issue penalty notices (s 79).
Procedural rights for third parties and the public
Public exhibition and submissions: draft master plans, amendments to Environmental Guidelines and plans of management are subject to public notice and exhibition and specified minimum submission periods (s 18(3), s 49(2)-(3), s 34(5), s 35(1)-(3), s 32(4)-(7)).
Access to documents: copies of plans, Environmental Guidelines and certain deposited drawings must be available for inspection and, in some cases, free of charge (ss 34(5), 49(6), 69, 35(7)).
Right to make submissions: any person may make written submissions on proposed leases/licences of the Millennium Parklands (s 32(6)) and on plans of management (s 35(2)).
Nomination procedure for parking offences: responsible persons for vehicles have limited defences by nominating the person in charge under approved forms and within statutory timeframes (s 78(2)-(5)).
Limitations and checks
Ministerial approvals and consents: certain actions by the Authority require Ministerial approval, for example amendments to the Environmental Guidelines (s 49(1)), grants of leases/easements/licences over the Millennium Parklands (s 32(1)), and master plan approval (s 18(4)).
TfNSW consent for traffic plans: traffic management plans require written consent of TfNSW and that consent substitutes for other statutory consents in respect of matters covered by the plan (s 41(5)-(6)).
Restrictions on disposal and compulsory acquisition: the prohibition on sale and mortgage of Millennium Parklands (s 31(1)) and the requirement that compulsory acquisition can only occur by Act of Parliament (s 31(2)) operate as significant constraints on the Authority and third parties.
Sanctions and remedies contained within the Act
Criminal and civil remedies: various offence provisions carry monetary penalties expressed in penalty units (for example, s 42 offences carry a maximum of 20 penalty units; s 67 misuse of name carries 200 penalty units), while s 71 creates civil remedies for loss resulting from information misuse or improper influence, with a five‑year limitation (s 71(5)).
In sum, the Act sets mandatory duties for plan‑making, environmental reporting and parkland protection, confers proprietary and regulatory rights on the Authority, creates procedural rights for public participation and embeds multiple Ministerial and agency checks.
Penalties and enforcement
The Act contains offence provisions, allows the Authority to authorise officers to issue penalty notices, and permits regulations to create further offences. It specifies maximum penalties for a number of offences and sets the Local Court as the forum for summary proceedings.
Specified offence provisions and penalties in the Act
Road closure offences: s 42 creates offences for bringing a vehicle onto a road closed under the Act, refusing to remove a vehicle when directed, entering a road closed to pedestrians, and damaging/removing signs or barriers. The maximum penalty for each is 20 penalty units (s 42(1)-(3)).
Obstructing, impersonating or assaulting rangers: s 66 creates offences for resisting or obstructing a ranger, impersonating a ranger, or threatening/intimidating/assaulting a ranger; maximum penalty 20 penalty units.
Use of name: s 67 prohibits use of the name "Sydney Olympic Park" for commercial purpose without the Authority’s written consent, with a maximum penalty of 200 penalty units.
Disclosure of information: s 70 criminalises unauthorised disclosure of information obtained in connection with administration of the Act, except in prescribed cases; maximum penalty of 20 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.
Misuse of information and improper influence: s 71 creates offences for persons associated with the Authority who deal in land or divulge information for the purpose of gaining advantage (s 71(1)) and for persons who influence proposals for personal advantage (s 71(2)), each with maximum penalty 20 penalty units. Section 71 also creates civil liability to compensate for loss resulting from an advantage gained (s 71(3)-(4)), with a 5‑year limitation on bringing such an action (s 71(5)).
False nomination: s 78(5) makes it an offence to falsely nominate another person in approved nomination notices or statutory declarations in parking matters; maximum penalties vary by registration status of vehicle , 10 penalty units (if registered to a body corporate) or 5 penalty units otherwise.
Penalty notices: s 79 authorises the issuing of penalty notices by authorised officers for specified penalty notice offences (s 79(1)-(2)). Amount payable under a penalty notice is prescribed by regulation not exceeding the maximum penalty that could be imposed by a court (s 79(4)). The Fines Act 1996 applies to penalty notices issued under s 79(3).
Regulations may create offences: s 82(3) authorises the creation of offences punishable by up to 50 penalty units.
Enforcement mechanisms and processes
Authorised officers and rangers: the Authority may appoint rangers (s 65) and authorise officers to issue penalty notices (s 79(6)). Rangers receive identification cards and certain protections exist for rangers (ss 65-66).
Proceeding in Local Court: s 77 provides that proceedings for offences against the Act or regulations are to be dealt with summarily before the Local Court.
Civil remedy for misuse of information: s 71(3)-(4) provides that a person who gains an advantage from misuse of information may be liable to another person for the amount of loss incurred , the amount is defined as the difference between the actual dealing price and the market price that would have obtained had the non‑public information been known (s 71(4)).
Recovery of charges: any charge, fee or money due to the Authority may be recovered as a debt (s 75), providing a civil enforcement mechanism against debtors.
Delegation and administrative enforcement
Delegation: the Authority may delegate functions to authorised persons (s 57). Delegates may sub‑delegate if authorised.
Exercise of council enforcement powers: the Authority may exercise council functions under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, Part 9 (s 25), which typically includes investigation, enforcement notices and penalties in relation to development compliance.
Removal of vehicles: the Authority may direct removal of unattended vehicles that are unlawfully standing, dangerous or obstructive (s 44); s 44(3) imports the procedural regime of s 143 of the Road Transport Act 2013.
Limits and qualifications
Penalty unit framework: the Act expresses fines as penalty units; the monetary value of a penalty unit is determined by general law (not in the Act text) and may change with subsequent legislative adjustments.
Summary jurisdiction: all offences are summary matters for the Local Court (s 77), shaping evidentiary and procedural approaches and potentially limiting maximum sentences and fines compared with indictable jurisdiction.
Regulatory discretion and Ministerial control: many enforcement powers, and the creation of offences by regulation, entail discretion by the Authority and the Executive consistent with s 60 ministerial control and with the range of delegation options in s 57.
In short, enforcement is a blended regime of statutory offences with prescribed penalties, administrative penalty notices under s 79, civil remedies for misuse of information, capacity to recover debts and delegated enforcement powers modelled on council enforcement under the EP&A Act. The Act also gives the Authority and the Minister structured discretion to set conditions and to create further offences and penalties by regulation.
How it interacts with other laws
The Act is designed to operate alongside a network of existing New South Wales and Commonwealth legislation. It specifically incorporates, cross‑references and modifies the operation of other Acts, creating a set of statutory interfaces that determine competence and procedure.
Express cross‑references and incorporated frameworks
Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act): The EP&A Act is central. The Act imports EP&A definitions for Division 2 purposes (s 17(2)), makes the Minister for Planning the consent authority for development within Sydney Olympic Park (s 22(1)), requires the Minister for Planning to consider consistency of development with the Environmental Guidelines (s 22(2), s 18(5)), enables the Minister to prepare contributions plans under s 94 of the EP&A Act for developments where the Minister is consent authority (s 23), allows delegation of Part 4A certification functions to the Authority (s 24) and permits the Authority to exercise council enforcement functions under Part 9 of the EP&A Act (s 25).
Local Government Act 1993: the Authority is to take into account principles of ecologically sustainable development as defined in the Local Government Act 1993 when exercising functions (s 15), and s 19 provides the Authority may exercise functions of a council within the meaning of that Act. Plan of management procedures for the Millennium Parklands apply sections 36-36N of the Local Government Act (with specified exceptions) as if the Millennium Parklands were community land and the Authority were a council (s 34(4)).
Roads Act 1993 and Road Transport Act 2013: roads within the Park are subject to the Roads Act and road transport legislation, but provision, opening, dedication, closure or realignment require the Authority’s consent (s 38). The Authority is roads authority for vested public roads (s 39). Traffic management plans require TfNSW consent and that consent is taken to satisfy Roads Act and road transport legislation consent requirements for matters covered by traffic management plans (s 41(5)-(6)). Section 44 imports provisions of the Road Transport Act 2013 procedural regime for removal of unattended vehicles (s 44(3)).
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974: Silverwater Nature Reserve (Newington Nature Reserve) is dedicated under the National Parks and Wildlife Act and is expressly not vested in the Authority (s 9). The plan of management for the Millennium Parklands may incorporate a plan prepared by the Chief Executive of the Office of Environment and Heritage under that Act for the Newington Nature Reserve (s 34(3)), and the Authority must consult that Chief Executive in preparing buffer management proposals (s 34(6)).
Conveyancing Act 1919: the Authority may impose restrictions or positive covenants in accordance with ss 88D and 88E of the Conveyancing Act (s 32(9)). Easements include easements without dominant tenements referred to in s 88A of the Conveyancing Act (s 32(13)).
Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991: the Authority’s powers to acquire land by compulsory process are governed by that Act (s 51).
Public Works Act 1912: acquisitions by the Act are taken to be authorised works for the purposes of that Act and the Authority is the Constructing Authority; however, particular sections of the Public Works Act do not apply to works constructed under this Act (s 52).
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and EP&A Act s 121B: section 48A (noise protections for major events) expressly states it does not limit operation of the POEO Act in specified respects or the functions of the Authority under ss 19 and 25, and does not apply to or in respect of noise that exceeds the maximum permissible level at the closest residential facade (s 48A(3)-(4)). Section 48A defines noise abatement action to include POEO Act notices and EP&A Act s 121B orders (s 48A(5)).
Government Sector Finance Act 2018 and Government Sector Employment Act 2013: joint ventures are to be carried out under Part 6 of the Government Sector Finance Act (s 59). Staffing provisions for the Authority reference the Government Sector Employment Act and Government Sector Finance Act for financial year determination (ss 64, 73).
Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth): s 58 defines private corporation as within the meaning of the Corporations Act and contains rules for formation and acquisition of interests in private corporations and subsidiary corporations with Minister/Treasurer concurrence (s 58(2)-(3)).
Modification and saving provisions
Transfer and transitional provisions: Schedules and Part 2 of the Act provide for vesting of assets, rights and liabilities transferred from predecessor bodies such as the Olympic Co‑ordination Authority and dissolution of the Bicentennial Park Trust, with non‑compensation clauses and validation provisions (Pt 2 cl 3-9).
Regulatory amendment of Schedules: the regulations may amend Schedules 1-3 and may declare specified land to be a road or confer Division 4 functions on the Authority for specified land (s 80(1)-(4), s 81). Notably, land not included in Schedules on 1 July 2001 cannot be included by regulation without the owner’s consent (s 80(3)).
Operational consequences and potential conflicts
Concentration of planning decision‑making: the Minister for Planning is the consent authority for developments in the Park (s 22), which centralises planning consent under the EP&A Act regime and modifies the usual role of local councils; s 19 allows the Authority to exercise council functions, which interacts with the Local Government Act.
TfNSW interface: traffic management plans require TfNSW consent which then is treated as satisfying other statutory consents relevant to roads and road transport (s 41(5)-(6)), effectively creating a statutory shortcut for certain traffic decisions.
Environmental and conservation overlay: the Act requires consistency with Environmental Guidelines and the Plan of Management for Millennium Parklands; adoption of those plans requires concurrence of the Minister for the Environment (s 35(6)) and incorporates elements of the National Parks and Wildlife Act and Local Government Act frameworks (s 34).
Overall, the Act is drafted to sit as an integrative statute overlaying existing planning, roads, environmental and public sector legislation, while preserving specific protections (for example Millennium Parklands non‑disposal) and inserting the Authority as the central decision maker for property, planning and operational management within the Park.
Amendment history
The Act’s text includes amendment notes and inserted sections showing its legislative evolution. The schedule and marginal notes indicate multiple amendments across years; the following summarises amendments explicitly noted in the Act text.
Key amendments and insertions (per in‑text amendment notes)
2001 commencement: Act commenced 1 July 2001 (s 2).
2004-2015 series: multiple amendments between 2004 and 2015 amend functions, delegation and other operational matters. Examples shown in marginal notes include:
s 13: amended 2006 No 2 Sch 4.68; 2009 No 96 Sch 26; 2010 No 4 Sch 1; 2015 No 58 Sch 3.89.
s 18: amended 2008 No 114 Sch 2.32; 2010 No 4 Sch 1.
s 19: amended 2011 No 41 Sch 5.57; 2020 No 30 Sch 4.106.
s 21: amended 2004 No 91 Sch 2.77; 2008 No 114 Sch 2.32; 2015 No 58 Sch 3.89.
2005-2013 transport and road amendments: s 41 amended 2005 No 11 Sch 3.44; 2011 No 41 Sch 5.57; 2013 No 19 Sch 4.75; 2020 No 30 Sch 4.106. Section 42 and 43 show similar amendment notes aligning the Act with updated roads or transport legislation.
2006-2009 staff and governance amendments: s 64 repealed 2006 and reinserted 2015 No 58 Sch 3.89; s 57 amended 2009 No 96 Sch 26.
2010 noise protections: s 48A (Legal proceedings and other noise abatement action) was inserted by 2010 No 4 Sch 1[7].
2017 delegations and subsidiary modifications: s 32 amended by 2017 No 63 Sch 1.19 to allow Chief Executive or designated staff to grant short licences without Minister approval (s 32(12A)). Section 79 was substituted 2017 No 22 Sch 3.76.
2018-2020 finance and structural updates: s 59 substituted 2018 No 70 Sch 3.58 to align joint ventures with the Government Sector Finance Act 2018; s 73 amended 2018 No 70 Sch 4.100; further amendments in 2020 No 30 Sch 4.106.
2022 enforcement update: s 25 was amended 2022 No 59 Sch 2.46 to explicitly enable the Authority to exercise council enforcement functions under the EP&A Act Part 9.
2023 Hill Road upgrade special provisions: s 37A introduced by 2023 No 20 Sch 1 to create special provisions for Hill Road upgrade land, including suspension of s 31 disposal prohibitions for that land (s 37A(2)).
Repeals and transfers noted in the Act
The Act repealed and replaced prior statutes for the precinct: s 83 declares the Act is made in replacement for the Homebush Bay Operations Act 1999 and provides transitional continuity for agreements entered into by the Olympic Co‑ordination Authority (s 83(3)-(4)). Schedules and Part 2 also provide for transfers of assets and staff from predecessor bodies (for example clauses in Sch 8 Part 2 concerning OCA and the Bicentennial Park Trust).
Dissolution of trusts: the Bicentennial Park Trust is dissolved and staff were transferred to the Authority (Sched 8 Pt 2 cl 7-8). The State Sports Centre Trust was dissolved and its assets transferred by amendments consequent on the Public Sector Restructure Act 2009 (Sched 8 Pt 3 cl 14-16).
Form and scope of amendments
Amendments frequently update cross‑referenced Acts, align enforcement powers with updated road and transport legislation, adjust delegation and staff arrangements, and insert new operational exemptions (e.g., 48A noise immunity). The in‑text notes identify the amending Act number and schedule; the Act provides no exhaustive amendment history beyond these marginal notes.
Implication for users
Users should pay attention to the in‑text amendment marginalia for the sections they rely on (for example s 32(12A) for short licences, s 48A for event noise rules, s 25 for EP&A Act enforcement powers). The Act also contains regulation‑making powers (s 82) and specific transitional provisions in Schedule 8 that continue to affect operation and interpretation.
This summary is limited to the amendment annotations contained within the Act text provided. For a complete legislative history, including full amending statutes, commencement dates and any subsequent modifications not annotated here, consult the consolidated statute record and legislative databases.
Litigation history
The Act, as supplied, contains no judicial decisions, case citations or summaries of litigation. The statutory text and schedules include validation and transitional clauses (Sched 8 and Pt 2) that validate certain transfers, proclamations and actions (for example cl 12 validating the Silverwater Nature Reserve proclamation) but do not record judicial determinations.
What the Act records relevant to litigation:
Transfer and validation clauses: Part 2 clauses confirm vesting of assets from predecessor bodies and validate certain prior acts and proclamations (Pt 2 cls 3 and 12). These provisions are framed to pre‑empt challenges to transfers and to avoid contractual or default events arising solely from legislative transfer; for instance, Pt 2 cl 3(2) states the operation of the clause is not to be regarded as a breach of contract or an event of default, and cl 3(5) states no compensation is payable in connection with a transfer.
Civil remedies embedded in the statute: s 71(3)-(4) expressly creates civil liability for persons who gain an advantage from misuse of inside information related to the Authority’s land proposals. That provision sets damages measurement and a 5‑year limitation (s 71(5)). If litigated, these are statutory causes of action created by the Act itself.
Offences and summary jurisdiction: s 77 indicates offences under the Act are to be dealt with summarily in the Local Court, meaning any prosecution for matters such as s 70 disclosure or s 66 obstructing rangers is to follow summary procedure.
Practical note for researchers and practitioners
The Act does not list case law. To identify litigation under or about the Act (for example judicial review of planning or administrative decisions, prosecutions under s 70 or s 71 civil claims), a search of court databases, LEAP/Westlaw/LexisNexis and tribunal records is required. This statutory text itself provides the legal causes of action and offences that could give rise to litigation, but contains no judgments or reported cases.
Gotchas
The Act contains detailed procedural and substantive constraints that can catch practitioners and stakeholders unaware unless they check specific provisions. The following are concrete pitfalls and practical traps rooted in the Act’s text and structure.
Master plan and Environmental Guidelines: effect and approval
Master plan has no operative effect without Ministerial approval (s 18(4)). Draft master plans require statewide newspaper notice (s 18(3)). The Minister for Planning may not approve a master plan unless it complies with requirements of the environmental planning instrument referred to in s 18(7) and the master plan is consistent with the Environmental Guidelines (s 18(4)-(5)). Practitioners should not assume a draft or Authority‑endorsed master plan alone authorises development; Ministerial approval is required before it has legal effect.
Minister for Planning is the consent authority
The Minister for Planning is the consent authority for any development carried out by any person on land within Sydney Olympic Park (s 22(1)). This centralises development consent and overrides typical council development control processes. Developers accustomed to lodging applications with council must be aware to engage with the Minister’s consent processes and the Authority’s notification requirements (s 27) for major sites in the Development Area.
Major site notification requirement
A person cannot lodge a development application for certain major sites not owned by the Authority within the Sydney Olympic Park Development Area unless they first notify the Authority in writing (s 27). The thresholds are area of not less than 10,000 m2, or built space of not less than 20,000 m2. Failure to notify may render an application premature or procedurally problematic.
Public consultation and administrative process traps
Leases, licences and other interests over the Millennium Parklands require public notice, exhibition on the land and written notifications to adjoining owners and a 28‑day submission period (s 32(4)-(7)). The Authority must consider submissions before granting the interest (s 32(7)). These procedural obligations can delay transactions and must be planned into project timetables.
Amendments to Environmental Guidelines cannot be made without Ministerial consent and public exhibition (s 49). The Authority may only amend the Guidelines if the proposal will "improve the environmental outcomes provided for in those Guidelines" and after consultation with the Minister for Planning (s 49(5)). Commercial proponents reliant on more permissive guidelines should note the evidentiary requirement for 'improvement'.
Millennium Parklands disposal and lease term limitations
The Authority must not sell, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the Millennium Parklands (s 31(1)) and compulsory acquisition of the Parklands can only occur by an Act of Parliament (s 31(2)). For leased areas within the Parklands, leases cannot have a term that together with any option exceeds 25 years (s 32(10)), except limited grandfathered leases (s 32(11)). These constraints restrict long‑term real estate strategies like securitisation or long leasehold financing.
Short‑term licensing vs Ministerial approval
The Chief Executive or a designated staff member may grant licences for terms of 5 years or less without Ministerial approval (s 32(12A)). Parties seeking longer terms will face the Ministerial approval requirement, and practitioners must plan for this approval gate.
Noise immunity for major events and the 85 dB exception
Section 48A provides significant protection from criminal, civil and specified noise abatement action in relation to noise from major events, and declares such noise not to constitute a nuisance (s 48A(1)-(2)), but this protection does not apply where noise exceeds the maximum permissible noise level at the closest residential facade (s 48A(3)). Careful measurement standards and methodology are prescribed by reference to Australian Standards in s 48A(5). Operators who rely on s 48A must ensure they stay within the defined maximum permissible levels or risk standard abatement action.
Roads, private roads and closures
A road within the Park cannot be provided, opened, dedicated, closed or realigned except with Authority consent (s 38(1)). Private roads within the Park (defined in s 4) cannot be provided, opened, closed or realigned, or used for other purposes, except with Authority consent (s 40). Traffic management plans can apply to private roads only with owner/occupier consent and cannot authorise closure of a private road unless the owner/occupier has consented (s 41(3)-(4)). Practitioners dealing with land rights and easements should not assume normal council or private processes apply.
Information misuse and insider‑type civil liability
Persons associated with the Authority are prohibited from dealing in land or divulging specific non‑public information to gain advantage (s 71(1)-(2)). A person who gains an advantage through such conduct is liable to compensate others for loss (s 71(3)-(4)), with a five‑year limitation (s 71(5)). This creates an insider‑trading‑type civil exposure for directors, staff, advisers and others associated with the Authority; compliance systems and material‑information controls are necessary.
Use of name and Olympic copyright
Use of the name "Sydney Olympic Park" for a commercial purpose requires written consent of the Authority (s 67) and misuse carries a high penalty (200 penalty units). Public authorities must not arrange use of Olympic organisation copyright without written consent of the Authority (s 68(1)-(2)). Failure to secure appropriate consents renders arrangements void (s 68(2)).
Delegation and agency consent interplay
Many functions are subject to delegation and cross‑agency consent. For example, traffic management plans require TfNSW consent (s 41(5)), TfNSW can delegate functions to the Authority (s 45), and the Authority may exercise council functions in lieu of a council (s 19(4)). Practically, this can produce overlapping approvals and the need to secure multiple consents before projects commence.
Regulations can alter Schedules and create offences
Regulations may amend Schedules 1-3 (s 80) and may create offences punishable by up to 50 penalty units (s 82(3)). Notably, a regulation cannot include land into Schedule 1 or 2 if not included on 1 July 2001 without the owner’s consent (s 80(3)). However, a regulation may declare land to be a road and confer Division 4 functions on the Authority (s 80(4)). Users should monitor regulatory instruments for substantive changes.
In all, the Act contains multiple procedural gates, cross‑agency consents and statutory prohibitions that can affect project timelines, commercial rights and risk allocations; practitioners should check sections cited above early in project planning.
How to comply
Compliance under the Act requires procedural discipline, early consultation with the Authority and relevant Ministers/agencies, attention to environmental and noise standards, and adherence to public exhibition and disclosure rules. The following practical checklist maps statutory obligations to concrete actions with section citations.
(a) a road within Sydney Olympic Park that is subject to a lease to the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales, or part of such a road, or
(b) a road (not being a public road within the meaning of the Roads Act 1993) that is prescribed by the regulations, or part of such a road.
ranger means a person appointed as a ranger under section 65 (1).
road means—
(a) a road within the meaning of section 4 (1) of the Road Transport Act 2013, or part of such a road, and
(b) a road related area within the meaning of section 4 (1) of the Road Transport Act 2013, or part of such a road related area.
Silverwater Nature Reserve (or Newington Nature Reserve) means the lands dedicated as Silverwater Nature Reserve for the purposes of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 by proclamation published in Government Gazette No 121 of 15 September 2000 at page 10588, and any modification to those lands, or the boundaries of those lands, proclaimed from time to time under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
Sydney Olympic Park means the land described in Schedule 1.
Sydney Olympic Park Development Area means the land described in Schedule 2.
TfNSW means Transport for NSW constituted under the Transport Administration Act 1988.
Note.
The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.
(2) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.
s 4: Am 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [1] [2]; 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [3] [4]; 2011 No 41, Sch 5.57 [1]; 2013 No 19, Sch 4.75 [1]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [1] [2]; 2020 No 30, Sch 4.106[1]; 2025 No 48, Sch 2.17.
Part 2 Constitution of Authority
Part 2 Constitution of Authority
Part 2 Constitution of Authority
5 Constitution of Authority
5 Constitution of Authority
5 Constitution of Authority
(1) There is constituted by this Act a corporation with the corporate name of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority.
(2) The Authority may also be called SOPA and the use of that name has the same effect for all purposes as the use of its corporate name.
6 Status of Authority
6 Status of Authority
6 Status of Authority
The Authority is, for the purposes of any Act, a statutory body representing the Crown.
Part 3 Vesting of land
Part 3 Vesting of land
Part 3 Vesting of land
7 Vesting of Sydney Olympic Park
7 Vesting of Sydney Olympic Park
7 Vesting of Sydney Olympic Park
The lands comprising Sydney Olympic Park are vested in the Authority for an estate in fee simple, subject to this Part.
8 Vesting of certain roads
8 Vesting of certain roads
8 Vesting of certain roads
(1) Roads vested in Authority Without limiting section 7, the roads and lands shown coloured brown on the map marked “Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Olympic Park Road Transfers, Drawing number HS-P-P-1082” dated 29 May 2001, deposited in the office of the Authority, are vested in the Authority for an estate in fee simple.
(2) Roads vested in Auburn Council The roads and lands shown coloured green on the map marked “Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Olympic Park Road Transfers, Drawing number HS-P-P-1082” dated 29 May 2001, deposited in the office of the Authority, are vested in the Auburn Council for an estate in fee simple.
(3) Road status not affected This section does not cause a road to cease to be a road.
9 Silverwater Nature Reserve
9 Silverwater Nature Reserve
9 Silverwater Nature Reserve
Silverwater Nature Reserve is not vested in the Authority.
10 Nature of vesting
10 Nature of vesting
10 Nature of vesting
(1) Lands vested in the Authority by this Part are vested subject to any trusts, obligations, estates, interests, charges and rates existing in respect of them immediately before the lands were vested in the Authority, except as provided by this Act.
(2) This Part does not operate to vest in the Authority any pipeline or cable, or any apparatus used in connection with any pipeline or cable, that—
(a) was situated on or in any part of the principal trust lands within the meaning of the Bicentennial Park Trust Act 1987 immediately before they were vested in the Authority, and
(b) was laid or constructed by or on behalf of the Australian Gas Light Company, the Electricity Commission of New South Wales, the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board, the Sydney County Council or C.S.R. Chemicals Limited.
(3) However, the encumbrances that are highlighted in orange in the list of encumbrances specified on the map marked “Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Redundant Encumbrances, Drawing number HS-J-L-007” dated 29 May 2001, deposited in the office of the Authority, are extinguished by this section.
11 Preservation of rights under existing agreements
11 Preservation of rights under existing agreements
11 Preservation of rights under existing agreements
Except to the extent otherwise provided by this Act or the regulations, the rights of any person under an agreement entered into with OCA that is in force immediately before 1 July 2001 are not affected by this Act.
12 No compensation payable
12 No compensation payable
12 No compensation payable
No compensation is payable to any person as a consequence of the operation of this Part.
Part 4 Functions of Authority
Part 4 Functions of Authority
Part 4 Functions of Authority
Division 1 Principal functions
Division 1 Principal functions
Division 1 Principal functions
13 Functions—generally
13 Functions—generally
13 Functions—generally
(1) The Authority has the following functions—
(a) to promote, co-ordinate and manage the orderly and economic development and use of Sydney Olympic Park, including the provision and management of infrastructure,
(b) to promote, co-ordinate, organise, manage, undertake, secure, provide and conduct cultural, sporting, educational, commercial, residential, tourist, recreational, entertainment and transport activities and facilities (including the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre),
(c) to protect and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of Sydney Olympic Park, particularly the Millennium Parklands,
(d) to provide, operate and maintain public transport facilities within Sydney Olympic Park,
(e) to liaise with and maintain arrangements with Olympic organisations, such as the International Olympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee Incorporated.
(2) (Repealed)
s 13: Am 2006 No 2, Sch 4.68 [1]; 2009 No 96, Sch 26 [3]; 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [5]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.89 [3].
14 Other functions
14 Other functions
14 Other functions
(1) The Authority has such other functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act.
(2) The Authority may do all such supplemental, incidental or consequential acts as may be necessary or expedient for the exercise of its functions.
15 Exercise of functions—principles of ecologically sustainable development
15 Exercise of functions—principles of ecologically sustainable development
15 Exercise of functions—principles of ecologically sustainable development
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.
16 Land on which Authority’s functions may be exercised
16 Land on which Authority’s functions may be exercised
16 Land on which Authority’s functions may be exercised
The Authority, with the consent of the Minister, may exercise its functions (other than its functions under Divisions 2–5) on or in relation to land outside Sydney Olympic Park.
Division 2 Local government and environmental planning functions
Division 2 Local government and environmental planning functions
Division 2 Local government and environmental planning functions
17 Interpretation: Division 2
17 Interpretation: Division 2
17 Interpretation: Division 2
(1) For the purposes of this Division, development is carried out by the Authority if the development is carried out by, for or on behalf of the Authority.
(2) Words and expressions used in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and in this Division have the same meanings in this Division as they have in that Act.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to the extent that the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires.
18 Master plan
18 Master plan
18 Master plan
(1) For the purpose of assisting it in the exercise of its functions under this Act, the Authority is to prepare and maintain a master plan for Sydney Olympic Park.
(2) The master plan may make provision for or with respect to the following—
(a) the development and use of land and buildings,
(b) the provision of public transport services,
(c) the management of roads,
(d) the protection, enhancement and use of waterfront areas, parklands and areas of natural vegetation,
(e) the use and management of the public domain.
(2A) Provisions of the master plan may apply to the whole or any part of Sydney Olympic Park.
(3) The Authority, in preparing the master plan, must ensure that public notice of the draft plan is given in a newspaper circulating throughout the State.
(4) The master plan has no effect unless it is approved by the Minister for Planning. The Minister may not approve the master plan unless it complies with the requirements of the environmental planning instrument referred to in subsection (7).
(5) The Minister for Planning must not approve the master plan, or any amendment of the master plan, unless that Minister has considered whether the master plan or the amendment is consistent with the Environmental Guidelines.
(6) The master plan for Sydney Olympic Park must be consistent with the plan of management for the Millennium Parklands under Division 3 of this Part.
(7) An environmental planning instrument (within the meaning of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979) or the regulations made under that Act, or both, must make provision for or with respect to the application and effect of the master plan and public exhibition requirements for the master plan.
s 18: Am 2008 No 114, Sch 2.32 [1]; 2010 No 4, Sch 1 [6].
19 Authority’s functions as a local government council
19 Authority’s functions as a local government council
19 Authority’s functions as a local government council
(1) The Authority, in relation to Sydney Olympic Park, has and may exercise to any necessary extent the functions of a council (within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993) under—
(a) sections 24, 25, 26 and 46 of this Act, and
(b) a provision of any other Act or a statutory instrument that is specified by the regulations,
and, for the purpose of the exercise of those functions, Sydney Olympic Park may be taken to be an area (within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993).
(2) The regulations may specify a provision of any other Act or a statutory instrument as in force for the time being or as in force at a date specified by the regulations.
(3) A function conferred on the Authority under this section is subject to such modifications (if any) as may be specified in the regulations.
(4) If the Authority so determines, it may exercise a function conferred on it under this section to the exclusion of a council.
(5) The Authority may revoke a determination under this section.
(6) The Authority must notify the making or revocation of a determination under this section to any council affected by it.
(7) Subsections (1) and (2) do not extend to a function the exercise of which is delegated to a council by TfNSW unless TfNSW consents to the exercise of the function by the Authority.
s 19: Am 2011 No 41, Sch 5.57 [2]; 2020 No 30, Sch 4.106[2].
20 Development to be consistent with Environmental Guidelines
20 Development to be consistent with Environmental Guidelines
20 Development to be consistent with Environmental Guidelines
Before carrying out any proposed development, the Authority is to consider whether the proposed development is consistent with the Environmental Guidelines.
21 Environmental planning instruments and development control plans
21 Environmental planning instruments and development control plans
21 Environmental planning instruments and development control plans
The Authority may, at the request of the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment, provide resources or undertake work in relation to the preparation of environmental planning instruments and development control plans under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.