Central Barangaroo Development

In June 2021, Rod McCoy of Aqualand presented to the community. This was our take of what Rod said at that meeting:

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• 52% of the Central Barangaroo land will be devoted to “open space” – this will be a combination of open grassed parkland, pavilions, roads, walkways, etc. This is a good thing.  The 52% number has always been the target – what we need to be conscious of down the track is how INSW may wish to “commercialize” the open space to the detriment of public access. This open space will be to the west of the CB buildings.

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• The built element will be a combination of commercial and residential above ground and retail below ground, with a close link to the Sydney Metro station. In Rod’s view this will ensure the area is more lively and people-friendly.

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• Rod spoke very highly of the owners of Aqualand who seek to build a community connection wherever they do business. At the appropriate time, we will offer an invitation to the Lin family to visit Millers Point and help them understand our neighbourhood and for them to meet some of their future neighbours.

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• There will be eight buildings of varying heights (so as to avoid the "pancake effect").  Rod characterized the architectural style of the commercial buildings to be more in line with the timber building in Barangaroo South (occupied by Accenture). The heights of the buildings are to be revealed in the near future.

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• The residential component will have 100 apartments at the northern end of CB.

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• It was apparent from Rod’s comments that he thinks the architectural standards of CB will be higher than that at Barangaroo South, with architectural elements including articulation and spaces between buildings a key feature.

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• There will be a bridge connecting High St (at the southern end) over Hickson Rd to CB.

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• The Dalgety Wool Store building at Munn St (adjacent to the Palisade Hotel) is also owned by Aqualand and will be developed into a flash hotel. This will be a separate approval process to CB but it is clear that Aqualand will want its design to fit nicely with CB.

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• Heights and bulk of CB buildings will be a key issue as viewed from High St, Kent St, and critically Observatory Hill – iconic views to the west including Balmain East and Goat Island must be protected.

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• The retail element underground (35,000 sqm – mid-size shopping centre) will be a combination of cafes, restaurants, delis, Woolworths, homewares, etc.  It will be operated by Scentre Group.

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• There will be a substantial amount of excavation for the project, not dissimilar to the Sydney Metro hole in the ground.  Waste material will exit the area via Hickson Rd and trucks will not come into Walsh Bay or Millers Point. We highlighted the importance of ensuring any artifacts/relics are ideally represented/featured in any future development.

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• There will be 400 car spaces, mainly for apartment residents and maybe for the commercial and retail buildings (service vehicles, etc). There will be no parking available for shoppers.

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• Finally, we raised with Rod the opportunity that CB represents in connecting with the CBD – a connection that was envisaged in the Harbour Village North Study of 2012 – direct (pedestrian tunnel) access between CB and the CBD. He sees the inherent benefit in that, but acknowledged that is a NSW Government responsibility.