Environmental impacts of Barangaroo

By Simon Black

Concerns about the environmental impacts of the Barangaroo Foreshore Development are at the front of community and Council objections to the site.

While the site proudly claims to be ‘climate positive’ on the Lend Lease website and has a section devoted to its sustainability initiatives Greens Councillor Chris Harris says the idea of a sustainable Barangaroo is all spin.

“It appears that claims that the development will be carbon neutral, water positive and zero waste are simply false,” he writes on his website.

“The BDA have engaged in deception since day one in relation to the type and scale of development on the site.

“It appears that they are also seeking to mislead the public on the sustainability aspects at Barangaroo.”

Barangaroo Delivery Authority representative Julian Brophy rejected the allegations made by Cr Harris and told City News the BDA was proud of the site’s initiatives which would see it generate and export more water than it uses, send no waste to landfill, and be carbon zero.

“When completed, Barangaroo will set new standards in sustainability becoming one of the world’s first climate positive precincts,” he said.

“This is the first time in Australia that a zero carbon solution has been established on a precinct scale. The commitment to onsite renewables is the largest commitment to solar panels for a new mixed use precinct in Australia.

“Beyond this exceptional building performance, the remaining carbon from energy, transport and waste is to be offset by new renewable energy off site.”

The site has also drawn fire over the construction of a subterranean car-park on the site of a former gasworks, leading to the possibility of contaminants leaking into the surrounding area and harbour.

Greens MP Sylvia Hale lobbied the Upper House of Parliament earlier this month for the release of reports regarding the area and its impact.

“The Barangaroo site and the land immediately adjoining it is on top of what was the former Australian Gas Light Company gasworks,” she said.

“The site was investigated by the Department of Environment and Climate Change [DECC] and found to pose a significant risk of harm.”

Lord Mayor Clover Moore also broke ranks with the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, of which she is a member, to criticise the development’s shadowing effects on the surrounding suburbs.