‘Not a real city’: Development decision exposes everything that’s wrong with Sydney

It’s a stunning photo of Sydney’s towering Barangaroo precinct - complete with the Harbour Bridge in the backdrop. But one detail has Aussies raging.

The approved plans for a prime parcel of land in Sydney’s bustling CBD, the final piece of the country’s most prominent urban renewal project, has been branded “a joke”.

On Monday, the New South Wales Government greenlit developer Aqualand’s application for a “world-class” precinct at Barangaroo comprising residential, commercial, retail, cultural and community spaces.

Renders of the sanctioned project reveal its stark difference to the glittering giants next door that came before it, including the 75-storey Crown Casino and the three International Towers, ranging from 168 metres to 217 metres.

In bizarre contrast, Barangaroo Central, as the new five-hectare development will be known, stands at a maximum of seven-storeys – and that’s sparked a swift backlash.

A render of the Barangaroo Central project as it sits among its towering neighbours.

A render of the approved development at Barangaroo Central – the last remaining site in the mega urban renewal project. Picture: Aqualand

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“It’s a joke,” Aks Walia, treasurer of the lobby group Sydney YIMBY, which aims to turn NIMBYism on its head, told news.com.au.

“This is severely underbaked, especially for a site in the middle of a city, on top of a new metro station, where people want to live. This undermines all of the government’s transport-oriented development goals.”

For more than a decade, a group of local residents joined forces with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the National Trust to declare war on Aqualand’s original proposal.

Opponents claimed the originally planned 50-storey residential building would block views of the harbour from Observatory Hill and heritage-listed terrace homes at Millers Point.

Rival developer Lend Lease and Crown were also opposed to the project because it would impede views from its properties.

The brawl went all the way to the Supreme Court and saw Barangaroo rapidly come to life surrounding the desolate concrete dust bowl.

“We’ve gone from 50-storeys down to 20 storeys as a compromise, and now to this,” Mr Walia said. “After 10 long years, this is it? Really?

“If we want to be a real city, the original plan is exactly the kind of development we should expect in the CBD. What we’ve got instead is what you’d expect in the outer suburbs.

“Why build a net metro station and then settle for this? It’s nonsensical. It’s a huge missed opportunity for density.”

The Millers Point Resident Action Group led the opposition to the development.

Sydney Lord Mayor was also opposed. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

Despite its incredible David and Goliath-like victory, the Millers Point Community Resident Action Group wasn’t celebrating yesterday.

“It still blocks the historical views from Balmain and Pyrmont to the heritage listed Millers Point and Dawes Point precinct,” the group said on its website.

And in an interview with the ABC, convener Bernard Kelly said he had “a mix of emotions” because some residents would still lose part of their views.

“That’s ridiculous,” Mr Walia said.

“The original [planning] documents with the first building envelope [modelled] shows that’s not true. It barely had an impact. It did block some views from the dilapidated end of Miller Street.

“Regardless, it’s the CBD of a global city. Are the views of a few more important than housing supply? Probably not.”

This is the view from Observatory Hill after the Barangaroo Central buildings have been increased to 50 storeys in height. pic.twitter.com/S4ewifCVny

— Nirgal451 🇦🇺🇺🇦 (@Nirgal451) February 17, 2025

The outcome is a “perfect example of NIMBYism” and should serve as a wake-up call, particularly to the government, which has pinned its hopes on density solving Sydney’s crippling housing supply shortage.

“It’s a concern because if we can’t get density here, what hope do we have elsewhere?” Mr Walia said.

“There’s no site better – in the city, on a metro, excellent connectivity, a big park next door, high amenity, major employment sites … it ticks every single box.”

The outcome undermines efforts by Premier Chris Minns to embraced density. Picture: Richard Dobson

Steve Kamper, Minister for Lands and Property, said the revised design balanced the views of NIMBY locals with ambitions to create “the cultural and civic heart of Barangaroo”.

Despite the hefty compromise, Mr Kamper insisted the project will be “world-class” and offer new residential, community, tourism and retail uses for the community, including two hectares of open public space and parklands.

“Central Barangaroo will also be the major stepping off point for the new Barangaroo Metro station, transporting thousands of workers, visitors and residents in and out of the precinct every day,” he said.

A render of the Barangaroo Central project as it sits among its towering neighbours.

Ian Devereux, group head of development and Aqualand, said the eight-year negotiation with opponents had allowed it to “get this precinct right for Sydney”.

And Tom Gellibrand, chief executive of Infrastructure NSW, said the approval means “the final piece of the puzzle can proceed”.

“Barangaroo is one of Sydney’s most significant renewal projects in decades, transforming a once-neglected and inaccessible part of the city into a dynamic cultural, residential, business and retail hub,” Mr Gellibrand said.

A render of the approved development at Barangaroo Central – the last remaining site in the mega urban renewal project. Picture: Aqualand

Ms Walia fears this sign of surrender by the NSW Government could have broad ripple effects and delay progress on boosting housing supply.

Premier Chris Minns is pursuing an ambitious agenda of planning policy overhauls to create multiple transport-oriented development hubs, allowing streamlined and rapid development.

But some local councils and NIMBY groups are fighting the plans.

“If we allow a similar scenario to play out, where we bow to pressure and underbake these sites, that’s not city planning – that’s a joke,” Mr Walia said.

“We can’t make this same mistake at Bays West and Burwood North, for example. Those are really crucial areas where density support by Metro West is possible. We can get lots of homes with access to the city in under 20 minutes and Parramatta in 10 minutes.

“But not if decisions like this are made.”

Originally published as ‘Not a real city’: Development decision exposes everything that’s wrong with Sydney