Bicentennial Marker at Sydney Olympic Park earmarked for removal in skyscraper plan

Residents are battling against plans to flatten a historic landmark in order to build a skyscraper on its site at Sydney Olympic Park, where a “mini-city” is set to be created.

Residents are battling against plans to flatten a historic landmark in order to build a skyscraper on its site at Sydney Olympic Park, where a “mini-city” is set to be created.

A cone-shaped earth mound, created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival in Australia, has been earmarked for removal as part of a master plan to create 13,000 new homes in the Olympic Park precinct over the next 25 years.

The mound – known as Bicentennial Marker – is among a group of five prominent hills, which stand between 10 and 25m tall and which are positioned to resemble the Southern Cross from the air.

Installed ahead of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the mound’s peak offers 360-degree views of Olympic Park and the surrounding area.

But new rezoning plans show a skyscraper up to 36 storeys tall could soon be built on the Australia Ave site, as part of plans to create a new “tower zone”.

An aerial photo of the Bicentennial Marker.

Nearby residents have reacted by starting a petition, which says the plan would “erase” one of the suburb’s prominent landmarks and “rob the community of public green space”.

“The Bicentennial Marker, an important part of Sydney’s Olympic legacy and a valued green landmark, would be permanently lost to this development,” the petition states.

A concept image showing the future skyscraper (circled) earmarked for the site of the Bicentennial Marker.

“Increased density will place further pressure on local resources, potentially impacting traffic, parking, and access to public spaces for all residents.

“(The) development would reduce natural light, block current views and compromise the privacy of residents facing the Bicentennial Marker.”

Resident Adam Tedja noted the five hills had been designed to resemble the Southern Cross, and removing one would “destroy its original intention and vision”.

In a statement, a Sydney Olympic Park Authority spokeswoman said the Bicentennial Marker was proposed for removal “to provide a site for much-needed housing development in Sydney”.

The marker is one of five prominent hills in Sydney Olympic Park.

“The redevelopment of the Bicentennial Marker will improve connectivity within Sydney Olympic Park via a cycling and pedestrian bridge over Sarah Durack Ave,” she said.

“This bridge will connect the southern neighbourhood of Sydney Olympic Park to the urban centre and across Australia Ave to Bicentennial Park

“The skyline will naturally evolve with proposed changes in (the master plan) as does any growing metropolitan city to evolve with the changing needs of the community.”

The master plan for Olympic Park has been described as creating a new “mini-city”, which would include a new library, shops and outdoor dining precincts.

A concept image of the overall master plan precinct.

The state government has also proposed that Olympic Park become “car-lite”, with a focus on footpaths and dedicated cycle lanes.

But its vision has not impressed everyone, with the petition having attracted 97 submissions at the time of publication.

“While development is part of growth, it must be targeted and respectful of existing green spaces that provide a sense of history and community,” the petition states.