Residents call for Barangaroo scale back

Concerns are growing over Barangaroo with members of the public calling on the development to be scaled back and environmental concerns be addressed.

Last week, City of Sydney staff met with members of the public to discuss concerns surrounding Lend Lease’s application to amend the original concept plan for Barangaroo South.

The City of Sydney has submitted its recommended amendments of the design to the Department of Planning in hope it will be considered.

Director of City Planning, Graham Jahn, said the lack of transparency with the proposal is disappointing.

“Our main concerns are with the way the elements of the project, such as the scale of the towers and this idea of putting a hotel in the harbour has come about,” he said.

A proposal by Lend Lease to amend the approved concept plan for Barangaroo South is now being considered by the State Government.

Last week the NSW Government gave planning approval for $230 million worth of early work at Barangaroo.

Members of the public are calling on gross floor area of the buildings to be significantly scaled back.

“I think this development is a travesty of justice. Look what they did to Circular Quay with the toaster and this is going to be the same thing,” said Mike Perrot, Barangaroo Action group member.

Greens Councillor, Chris Harris said: “What is happening here now is gross over-development of the site. The premier is now making decisions on this site and she alone is the one who will be making the decisions.”

Under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act introduced by the NSW government, major projects are out of local council hands to be disapproved.

Council recommends the relocation of the hotel away from the harbour, building heights to be adjusted and environmentally-sustainable designs.

“We are not concerned particularly about height per se, but we are concerned about what [height] does. What effects it would have- visually, views, overshadowing and wind,” said Mr Jahn.

City Strategy and Design Director, Michael Harrison, said despite Lend Lease claiming Barangaroo South will be climate positive, it is not reflected in the planning approval process.

The City of Sydney recommends Lend Lease explain how the development will supply 100 per cent of its electricity from low carbon and renewable generation, and how it will reduce CO2 emissions.

“Claims the development will be carbon neutral, water positive and zero waste are simply false,”said De Brierley Newtown, Greens candidate for the seat of Sydney.

Plans for Barangaroo South are now available to be viewed by the public.

“We will know very shortly whether any of our recommendations have been incorporated,” said Mr Jahn.

by Sophie Cousins