Barangaroo forums just for show?

The Barangaroo Delivery Authority has announced four public forums they say will help shape the harbourfront development.

But secretary of the Barangaroo Action Group, Trevor Simpson, said the meetings are just for show.

“It’s an all ticketed affair,” he said, “they only invite people they want to invite.”

“It’s like the one they had three months ago – you couldn’t get in there.”

CEO of the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, John Tabart, countered that the meetings would consult the widest group possible, and not just the views of one group.

“All you have to do is send your name in and we’ll make sure that the opportunities are there, until we of course fill the space,” he said.

“Most people that want to will be able to get to a place or a space where it’s on.”

Greens Councillor Chris Harris said developments costly enough to qualify for Part 3A approval status, overseen by the State Government, tend to be guided by profit more than community interests.

“If it’s a typical part 3A process – I think the consultation will be a total and complete sham,” he said.

Mr Tabart said the meetings would help determine a few spaces in Barangaroo that don’t have a designated purpose yet.

“Education; arts; other public uses could be determined,” he said, “Some people have talked about things such as an Indigenous space that would offer the opportunity for Indigenous activities to occur.”

“We expect that these series of works will tell us … whether there are some strong views that need to be addressed, or whether there are some very great ideas which we haven’t incorporated into Baranagaroo yet that really need to be considered.”

He said proposals for major changes, such as those from the Action Group, were not part of the approved concept plan.

“There is not yet an application for a planning scheme amendment or for an amendment to the concept plan,” he said.

The community consultation meetings will take place in the City, Parramatta and Caringbah across May.

The Barangaroo Delivery Authority is planning workshops in Sydney’s north and other locations in the following months.

An online forum will be launched this week.

By Lawrence Bull