Much of the land had been the site of the NSW Railways central marshalling yards and freight consolidation centre . The Enquiry into the NSW industry , including rail/road competition ( 1978 – 80 ) , under Commissioner Gavan McDonell , found that this centre was inefficient , should be moved , and the land used for other public purposes . These recommendations were acted upon and by the mid-to-late 1980s , when the area had become largely derelict it was redeveloped as a pedestrian and tourist precinct as an initiative of then New South Wales Minister for Public Works , Laurie Brereton . The Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour was a venue of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games and a key meeting venue of APEC Australia 2007
APEC Australia 2007
APEC Australia 2007
Darling Harbour