Barangaroo - Getting the balance right

It’s hard to fathom the rationale behind some of the recent actions taken by the New South Wales Government in relation to the Barangaroo precinct.

I know there are many who disagree but I think the proposed development is exciting.  Yes it pushes some boundaries but often to achieve greatness we need to be stretched beyond our comfort zone. Barangaroo will deliver much-needed office space for our city and create enhanced public gardens and shared spaces along the Harbour.

What isn’t so exciting is the way development has been mired in bureaucratic controversy.  Late night and last minute shenanigans at the highest levels of government have severely undermined the credibility of the development in the eyes of the public.

There are groups who disapprove of elements of the Barangaroo design.  It’s a public space and the development will have an impact on the environment and surrounding areas.  As such those concerns must be recognised and addressed.  Developments nearly always involve elements of compromise.

What has been exposed by the Barangaroo debacle is the murky world of planning oversight and approvals in New South Wales.  A lack of clarity around the processes and decisions related to planning is bad news for all parties.

The tragedy is that legitimate developments like Barangaroo might be tainted or at worst completely derailed, not because it is unsatisfactory, but rather because the bureaucracy has failed.  And that’s bad news for our economy, our environment and our city.