Thankyou Sandy.

Is it blocking some rich wankers view?

IDK. It's behind the historic coal loader dock (very tall concrete structure) so you can't see it from immediately next to it.

I have to wonder about what’s happened in the lead up, there must have been some sort of negotiation or demand?

Sounds like it. According to the NSW gov's press release:

The owners have previously been issued two Unsafe Vessel Notices (UVN) under section 46 of the Marine Safety Act requiring the owners to make in situ repairs to the vessel and to secure a dry dock for major works to repair the vessel’s hull.

In situ repairs and maintenance have been going on for years (the non-cosmetic repairs I mention in the article). The last I heard dry-docking was planned for later this year, but the only dry-dock big enough is run by the navy and they have other priorities too.

"Major works to repair" in drydock is interesting wording. Major works to make the ship pretty in drydock is definitely true (lots of cleaning back, priming and painting). We all want the drydock.