Central Barangaroo finally gets green lit after decade-long planning battle

A 104,000 sqm concrete slab “wasteland” that has been left vacant at Central Barangaroo for more two decades, will finally be built into a world-class commercial hub, with construction set to start by the end of the year.

Central Barangaroo will host luxury residential apartments, a hotel and more than 50 retail stores. Picture: Supplied

A 104,000 square metre concrete slab “wasteland” that has been left vacant at Barangaroo for more two decades, will finally be built into a commercial hub after getting approval from the NSW government, with construction set to start by the end of the year

The Aqualand mega-project, touted as a multi-billion economic boost to Sydney, has been languishing in the state’s planning system for over 10 years, after complaints from local groups and a high stakes Supreme Court battle with Crown and Lendlease over the building’s design.

Contention around the height of parts of the project and the blocking of harbour views have finally been put to rest after all parties agreed to a concept proposal which reduced the height at the northern part of the block from eight storeys down to five, preserving existing water views from Observatory Hill.

The Aqualand mega-project for Central Barangaroo that has been languishing in the state’s planning system for over 10 years has finally been approved. Picture: Supplied

According to plans from the government’s development partner Aqualand, Central Barangaroo will host luxury residential apartments, a hotel and more than 50 retail stores including various restaurants and bars. At least 50 per cent of the site will be public open space, including a 270 metre waterfront boardwalk and a 1.8 hectare entertainment area.

With the concept approvals finally given the green light, Aqualand will finally lodge detailed development applications, which the government believes are likely to be approved quickly.

Aqualand estimates construction on the site will begin at the end of the year with the first stage to be completed by 2030.

Central Barangaroo is expected to generate $2.26 billion in economic activity during construction alone. Picture: Supplied

The development is expected to generate $2.26 billion in economic activity during construction alone, which once completed is estimated to provide a further $134.1 million each year. Aqualand Group Head of Development, Ian Devereux said the approval was the culmination of years of negotiations with residents and stakeholders.

“Over the past eight years, we have listened to and worked with multiple stakeholders to get this precinct right for Sydney … more than 20 years after the shipping facilities were removed,” he said.

Sydney’s business leaders have been calling for the NSW government to approve the Central Barangaroo project. Picture: Supplied

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the next step of the project would be doing detailed design work as to how the individual buildings would look.

“The renewal of the strategically important Barangaroo site has 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.”

Lands and Property Minister Steve Kamper said now that the concept approval had been granted, the government wanted to get on with delivering “the final piece of the Barangaroo puzzle”.

“Under the former Government this project was stuck in planning purgatory for over a decade, and this site had been a blight on the harbour for many years before that,” he said.

Contention around the height of parts of the Central Barangaroo project and the blocking of harbour views have finally been put to rest. Picture: Supplied

Sydney’s business leaders have been calling for the NSW government to approve the site for years, with many previously saying the fact a Metro line had been planned and delivered in the time it took to approve the site was an embarrassment.

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said the approval was a “great win for Sydney”.

“The Barangaroo Metro will no longer sit on the edge of a vacant field,” he said.

“Sydney will have a fantastic mixed use development delivering permanent jobs and much needed economic activity.”

Originally published as Central Barangaroo finally gets green lit after decade-long planning battle