Image: Toby Peet/NSW Government
The NSW government has scaled back plans for a 24/7 trading schedule at a new $100 million inner-city cultural venue after community objections over late-night noise.
The trading plan for The Cutaway cultural hug in Barangaroo has been walked back after the site was put forward for 24/7 operations as part of a push from the Minns government to revitalise Sydney’s nighttime economy.
Set to be completed later this year, The Cutaway will be fitted with multiple event spaces, including room to host art installations, performances, festivals, concerts, gala dinners, fashion shows and events such as Vivid.
Less than a year since the proposal was made, plans have been scrapped, with events capped at midnight, save for exceptions for major events like New Year’s Eve.
President of the Millers Point Community Resident Action Group, Anne Crabb, told the Sydney Morning Herald the scale and design of the venue amplified concerns of noise, crowd control, and disruption to the residents of the nearby high-rises.
“Unlike current 24/7 venues such as The Crown casino and The Star, this is a huge and open cavernous space located on the harbourfront,” she said.
“Barangaroo can and should be a vibrant cultural precinct, but this must not come at the expense of our long-standing residential community who will have to deal with the late-night impacts.”
Strata representatives from neighbouring towers have also raised concerns, with Strata managing agent Kate Maclachlan warning that the semi-enclosed structure could amplify sound and create “reverberation” impacts.
“Disappointing” says Business Sydney exec
In response, placemaking NSW has reduced operating hours from 8am to midnight, with noise controls applied from 10pm.
Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolau said the decision to wind back the 24-hour operations was “disappointing”.
“If you choose to live in Barangaroo – in the heart of a global city – a level of noise should be expected,” he said.
“We desperately need to ensure there are enough venues and facilities that are open 24/7.
“The venue could have hosted overnight concerts, creative events or live broadcasts of international sporting competitions. At the very least we should have given it a trial.”
Placemaking NSW’s revised plans said the midnight closing time would provide “a more clearly defined and constrained operating regime that balances the role of The Cutaway as a thriving, unique and industry-leading cultural venue with the need to protect the amenity of surrounding residential areas.”
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, a spokeswoman said operations would begin with a three-month trial and that trading hours “may be further relaxed to support what Sydneysiders and visitors are seeking”, with changes subject to final approval from the Department of Planning.
Currently more than 85 per cent complete, the fist events at The Cutaway are expected to start by July.
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