The Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority was an agency of the Government of New South Wales from 1970 to 1999.
[1] The redevelopment plans, drawn up by architect and town planner John Overall, would have seen large-scale demolitions within the historic district and the construction of large multi-storey tower blocks, with only a handful of historic buildings deemed to be particularly significant to be retained.
They met with large-scale community opposition, including significant street protests (led by The Rocks Residents Group) and a two-year Green Ban from the Builders' Labourers Federation between 1971 and 1973.
This resulted in a 1974 review of the scheme which ended the original proposal for a precinct of high-rise towers.
The agency continued for many years, developing various projects while also assuming a greater focus on conservation.