The final stage of the project will see low-rise buildings comprising a mix of residential and retail including restaurants and bars, a hotel and community facilities built between the Crown Casino and Nawi Cove. Image: NSW Government.
The NSW Government has approved the final stage of the redevelopment of Sydney Harbour’s Barangaroo precinct.
The decision by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully will see the remaining area of the precinct bounded by the harbour on the western side, Nawi Cove on the northern edge, Hickson Rd on the eastern side, and Barton St on the southern edge, developed into a cultural, residential, business and retail hub.
The site is currently a large concrete pad, the remnants of the area which was once a container terminal. Most of the precinct has been redeveloped at the northern end with the restoration of the former pre-European shoreline, and the Crown Casino, office towers and restaurants at the southern end joining with King Street Wharf.
The State Government says the development will include a mix of residential and retail including restaurants and bars, a hotel and community facilities, which it says will make it a destination in its own right due to its proximity to the new Barangaroo Metro.
The site between Crown Casino and Nawi Cove is currently a concrete wasteland, the final remnant of the once sprawling container port. Photo: NSW Government.
It says at least 50 per cent of the area will be open space, including 800 sqm of community floor space and two new public plazas. No buildings will be taller than five stories so as not to obstruct views from Millers Point and Observatory Hill which sit above Hickson Road on the eastern side.
The government says when assessing the proposal, it evaluated the historic view impacts of the proposal, particularly between Observatory Hill and Sydney Harbour, and conditions on the project include incorporating the heritage impact statement into the consent.
The nearby Central Barangaroo foreshore will also have a separate 1.85-hectare waterfront public park for recreation, events and entertainment, currently known as Harbour Park.
Minister Scully said the renewal of the Barangaroo site had always been about providing greater access to Sydney’s harbour foreshore.
“It will create jobs and homes, enhance our cultural facilities, civic spaces and parkland, and create diverse experiences and destinations – all easily accessible by public transport,” he said.
“Detailed design work can now proceed on this prominent space under consent conditions to support design excellence to respect the surrounding area.
“This approval considers Barangaroo’s prominent position and is respectful of the contribution of the area to Sydney’s development and future.”
Concept art of the open public spaces with restaurants, hotels and bars. Image: NSW Government.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the project had been stuck in “planning purgatory for over a decade”, and this site had been a “blight on the harbour”.
“This is a fantastic outcome,” he said. “Now that planning approval has been granted, we can get on with the job of delivering the final piece of the Barangaroo puzzle.
“With the Barangaroo Metro station now open, the Pier Pavilion and the Cutaway nearing completion, Barangaroo Reserve, Marrinawi and Nawi Cove open, it will be fantastic to see the full vision for Barangaroo finally realised for locals and visitors to enjoy.”
The project will be managed by Australian property, hospitality and investment group, Aqualand.
Managing Director of Aqualand, Jin Lin said, “We know how important Barangaroo is to all of Sydney and we are honoured to partner with the NSW Government to deliver this critical and final piece of the city’s largest urban renewal project.
“We are committed to creating a world-class precinct that will complement the quality of Barangaroo South and Barangaroo Reserve and elevate the completed Barangaroo precinct to a new standard of excellence.”
