GREATER GREENSPACE FOR COCKLE BAY

The proposal was initiated by Darling Park, GPT Wholesale Office Fund, Canada’s Brookfield Properties and AMP Capital Whole Office Fund back in 2014, and officially submitted in 2016. The 42-storey office tower and the retail precinct will be constructed over Sydney’s Western Distributor freeway.

The revisions have arisen on the back of proposals to take community consideration in mind and consider the visual impact of the tower and shading. Proposals for a town hall square and residential spaces have also been put forward. The most significant changes see the retail complex cut to 14,000 square metres, with public space greatly increased to 15,000 square metres.

The unused space above the freeway is the key focus of the plan, transforming it into thriving, mixed-use public space. This plan will greatly increase Darling Harbour’s capacity to host public events, with the area to accommodate up to 20,000 people for large events such as New Year’s Eve, VIVID and Chinese New Year. Cockle Bay Park will be a key community space, as the only green area in the Darling Harbour waterfront.

“While the revised plans reduce bulk and scale, consolidate open space to provide a new public park, and improve connections to the city, the proposal remains a tower on the public waterfront and overall it will contribute to the erosion of this important inner city public domain,” said independent MP Alex Greenwich in his submission. 

The initial proposal was written off as it “fails to address the appropriate provision of public benefits, services, and infrastructure”, according to director of city planning, Andrew King. 

The new adjustments and a clear proposal that is centred around public benefits hope to see the plans finally approved.

“The amended concept proposal will facilitate the reconnection of the city centre and Darling Harbour through the creation of significant new publicly accessible open space that will span the Western Distributor,” the proposal states.

The plans hope to build on Darling Harbour’s thriving community and make it an even more popular and dynamic place for city workers, the Sydney community, and visitors alike to enjoy the public space, retail and eateries.

With foundational design ideas proposed by FJMT, Tony Caro Architecture and Aspect Studios, the final design is subject to the results of an upcoming design competition.