Roberts to decide final plans for Central Barangaroo as objections pour in

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Roberts to decide final plans for Central Barangaroo as objections pour in

By Michael Koziol and Megan Gorrey

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts would need to override strenuous objections from the National Trust, local MP Alex Greenwich, the City of Sydney, Millers Point residents and other stakeholders if he is to approve controversial changes to the final piece of the Barangaroo mega-project.

The government has been inundated with objections to modified plans for Central Barangaroo – the middle section between Crown Sydney and Barangaroo Reserve – including a 20-storey building the National Trust has called “shocking”.

A concept design of Central Barangaroo included in documents submitted by developer Aqualand as part of their modification application.

A concept design of Central Barangaroo included in documents submitted by developer Aqualand as part of their modification application.Credit: Department of Planning portal

The Herald has confirmed Roberts will be the decision-maker on the proposed changes, rather than the Independent Planning Commission.

“Modification 9” would more than double the above-ground gross floor area of Central Barangaroo to 116,189sqm, increase the building heights on all three blocks and reduce the size of Hickson Park directly behind Crown. It is on public exhibition with submissions closing on Monday, just as Crown opens the gaming floor of its Barangaroo casino.

Independent MP for the state seat of Sydney Alex Greenwich opposed the plans in a scathing submission that called the modification “a second-rate proposal that should be outright rejected”.

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He said the “tower” would cast morning shadows over the Barangaroo waterfront and the planned Harbour Park, while the additional bulk of the development would overshadow much of Hickson Park during winter, as well as Fort Street Public School.

“This is a disgraceful betrayal of public trust ... It is an assault on the vision of creating a global harbour attraction to claim that sun is not needed in the morning,” Greenwich wrote.

“Modification 9 is nothing more than a final attempt to squeeze excess development onto the site for short term private profit at the utter detriment of the harbour, public open space, the heritage values at Millers Point and Observatory Hill, iconic views from across the city and Barangaroo itself.”

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An alternative view of the concept design included in documents supporting a modification proposal for Central Barangaroo.

An alternative view of the concept design included in documents supporting a modification proposal for Central Barangaroo.Credit: Department of Planning portal

The government’s development partner Aqualand unveiled plans for the 5.2 hectare site in April, including a two-hectare waterfront park, campus-style offices and a new cultural venue, as well as mid-rise buildings and a 73-metre building above the metro station.

National Trust NSW conservation director David Burdon said the changes were so significant they should require a fresh proposal rather than a modification.

“If I was designing my own house, when you do a modification to your design it’s for a minor amendment, it’s for a small change. And this is much more than a small change,” he said.

Though the residential building is only a quarter of the height of Crown’s adjacent tower, Burdon said it was nearly as tall as the much-maligned Blues Point Tower across the harbour and would block views of Observatory Hill from Pyrmont and Balmain.

Developer Aqualand’s depiction of the view impact of proposed buildings at Central Barangaroo, included in documents submitted to the Planning Department.

Developer Aqualand’s depiction of the view impact of proposed buildings at Central Barangaroo, included in documents submitted to the Planning Department.Credit: Department of Planning portal

He argued the building would not contribute to the community or amenity of the area because its apartments would likely be purchased by wealthy foreign buyers. “They’re people’s overseas pads, not regular people that will populate the street,” he told the Herald.

In a long statement, project director Rod McCoy said Aqualand’s Central Barangaroo proposal responded to the government’s policy of increasing the intensity of land use around new public transport infrastructure, which was generally considered best practice.

He said Barangaroo’s scale and mixed use made it “one of the most vibrant public places and one of the most connected and successful urban renewal projects in the world”.

McCoy said Aqualand was “conscious of the sentiments of the residents of Millers Point around perceptions of view loss”, but the building heights originally approved for Central Barangaroo in 2007 would have obscured some views anyway.

Residents’ groups, the City of Sydney and other stakeholders have complained the building would block views from Millers Point and Observatory Hill.

Residents’ groups, the City of Sydney and other stakeholders have complained the building would block views from Millers Point and Observatory Hill.Credit: Department of Planning portal

“We recognise that there is some sensitivity to the height of the proposed building at the northern end of the site from some local residents, and we’re listening to their concerns,” he said.

“That said, we do see this building as an opportunity to deliver world-class design that responds to the unique and special setting, and we think that many of the concerns can be addressed once the concepts for the site are revealed.”

The modification plans were lodged by government body Infrastructure NSW, which is managing Barangaroo, and will therefore be determined by Roberts as planning minister, or his delegate.

Roberts referred questions to Infrastructure NSW. A spokesperson said the body had engaged with stakeholders such as the National Trust and welcomed their feedback.

“Infrastructure NSW respects the planning process and the role it plays in ensuring the community are given the opportunity to have their say before any final decisions are made,” they said.

The Langham, a luxury boutique hotel on Kent Street, wants Roberts to refer the decision to the Independent Planning Commission. Manager Shane Jolly said the hotel was concerned about the heritage values of Millers Point, the loss of views and “a loss of visitation to this iconic area”.

Similar objections are being lodged by Friends of Sydney Harbour and the Millers Point Community Residents Action Group. The group’s president, Bernard Kelly, said the fact the application would be decided by the minister was “a clear indication [the government] is determined to steamroll this enormous project through before the state election”.

The City of Sydney is finalising a submission. Lord Mayor Clover Moore told a public meeting last weekend the council would object to the bulk and scale of the proposal as well as “the lack of any public benefit such as affordable housing”.

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