This is undeniably a significant project.
In making that argument, the Minister’s own Departmental advice to the Independent Planning Commission said the project would deliver major public benefits, improve access to transport, support civic and community events and boost tourism.
In making the recommendation to deem the project State Significant, the IPC advised the Minister that a Town Hall square:
- Would implement the strategic planning vision for the delivery of a major public open space in Sydney’s CBD, and is supported by State, metropolitan and local strategic planning frameworks"
- "Would deliver public benefits through the provision of significant civic and social infrastructure, creating opportunities for community, cultural and civic activities and enhancing the quality, accessibility and functionality of Sydney’s public domain" and
- "Has the potential to generate significant economic benefits through increased tourism, events, cultural activity and visitation to Sydney’s CBD".
I couldn't agree more.
Regardless of who assesses it, we remain confident in the merits of the proposal and see no planning reason why it should not ultimately be supported.
The City owns the buildings, has responsibly saved the money over a 40 year period to deliver the project debt-free, and has had some of the world’s leading designers and architects work on the plans.
Already hundreds of thousands of people commute through this busy hub each day, on train, bus, light rail and the new metro. We have also rezoned central Sydney to accommodate more space for more jobs. As our city continues to grow and we increase commercial density in the CBD, more public space for people is not a “nice to have”, it is essential infrastructure that we are committed to delivering.
People are excited by the opportunity to transform one of the busiest and most cluttered parts of our city into a beautiful and generous public space, shaded by an arch of native trees – somewhere to move through, meet friends, linger, or gather for major civic events.
This has, however, been an unusual intervention.
The Government generally takes planning decisions away from councils to speed up development, not slow it down, and in this case it stepped in before a DA even existed.
The decision is not a reflection on the City’s capability, as the Government has delegated assessment of over $2.6 billion worth of State Significant applications to the City in recent years. And we had already committed to having the project assessed by an independent planner and determined by the Central Sydney Planning Committee, which has a majority of members appointed by the NSW Government.
When we briefed the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces on the project last year, no concerns were raised. The Government also recently approved the City’s acquisition of the final property required to deliver the square.
Against that history, the timing and nature of this intervention inevitably raises questions, particularly as political attention begins to turn towards the next State election. It would be deeply disappointing if this intervention prevented meaningful progress until after the election, or if the Government ultimately rejects the proposal based on grounds outside the planning process.
The Minister must commit to the project receiving a transparent, genuine, fair and impartial assessment – and that the new process does not unnecessarily delay the project. The Government should hold themselves to the same assessment timeframe as they expect for councils.
Any unnecessary delay will increase costs, which would be unfairly borne by our ratepayers, and defer the significant public benefits this new square will deliver.
If the Government ultimately uses its powers to stop this project rather than simply scrutinise it, that would be a deeply concerning and regressive intervention in the delivery of important public infrastructure.
City building takes time. Visionary, transformative projects attract opposition. We have been here before.
When the transformation of George Street through light rail and pedestrianisation was proposed, there was a chorus of opposition and concern. Today, George Street is one of Sydney’s great public spaces and has fundamentally changed not only how we move around our city, but how we experience it.
There is more work to do, and we welcome the conversation and scrutiny that comes with a project of this significance.
But we will persist. We remain enormously excited about the opportunity to deliver a generous, green and distinctly Sydney civic space in the heart of our city – a place that will belong to everyone and serve generations to come.
