Central Barangaroo Early Works Phase 2 - Excavation and perimeter wall

Submission on Central Barangaroo Early Works – Excavation and Perimeter Wall (SSD-46922214)
Planning and Assessment Department
NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

Date: 28 July 2025

Dear Sir/Madam,

We write on behalf of the Owners Strata Plan 76902, property address, 1 Towns Place, Millers Point, located in proximity to the Central Barangaroo development site. This submission pertains to the application for Early Works – Excavation and Perimeter Wall (SSD-46922214). We welcome the revitalisation of the Barangaroo precinct but wish to express serious concerns regarding the traffic, pedestrian, and cyclist management proposed in this application.

Our community has endured over six years of construction-related disruption along Hickson Road. The current proposal risks continuing this legacy of inconvenience and diminished amenity for local residents, workers, and visitors unless significant changes are made to the traffic and site access strategy.
Key Concerns and Recommendations:
1. Site Access and Traffic Impact
Despite assertions in the application that traffic disruption will be minimal, the submitted plans indicate construction vehicle access via multiple gates (AQL Gates 1, 2, and 3) across the single-lane sections of Hickson Road. This arrangement will inevitably result in:
- Stopping southbound traffic to accommodate the swept path of northbound trucks entering AQL Gates 1 and 2.
- Increased congestion at the Barton Street intersection due to Gate 3 exit movements.
- Heightened safety risks for cyclists and pedestrians due to multiple crossing points and reduced line of sight.

Recommendation: A single, consolidated site access/egress point should be established at the southern end of the site (between Barton Street and AQL Gate 2), where additional road width exists. This would enable a signalised intersection that can safely manage construction and public traffic for the duration of the multi-year program.
2. Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
While the application claims that “pedestrians and all passing vehicles will maintain priority over construction works,” past experience suggests otherwise. Over the last six years, construction vehicles have routinely been given right of way at the expense of both public traffic and pedestrian safety.

Recommendation: All pedestrian crossings should be consolidated and signal-controlled at the single access point proposed above. Work Zones 2 and 3 should be eliminated, as they sit within the narrowest, single-lane section of Hickson Road and pose significant safety risks.
3. Loading and Work Zones on Hickson Road
The proposal includes multiple on-street Work Zones for loading and unloading (Zones 1, 2, and 3). This approach is not appropriate for a high-volume pedestrian and traffic corridor like Hickson Road.

Recommendation: All truck loading/unloading should occur within the boundaries of the 5.2-hectare project site. Internal haul roads and loading areas should be utilised to manage logistics operations without impacting public road space.
4. Modelling and Enforcement
The proposal lacks sufficient modelling of how traffic and pedestrian flows will be affected if construction vehicles genuinely give way to public users. There is also concern that traffic controllers will continue past practices of prioritising construction traffic unless strictly directed otherwise.

Recommendation:
- Independent modelling should be undertaken to verify claims of “minimal traffic impact.”
- Clear enforcement protocols must be established to ensure priority is maintained for public road users and pedestrians, as per the stated objectives of the Traffic and Pedestrian Management Plan.
Conclusion
We support the continued development of Barangaroo and recognise the economic and urban value of the Central Barangaroo precinct. However, we urge the Department to require the proponent to reconsider and revise its traffic and site access strategy to protect the amenity, safety, and accessibility of the broader community.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. We would welcome further dialogue to ensure the project progresses in a way that respects and protects all stakeholders.

Sincerely,

Kate Maclachlan
Strata Managing Agendt for the Owners Strata Plan 76902
Licensed Senior Strata Manager

P: 612 8354 6902
E: [email protected]

Formal Objection to Central Barangaroo Early Works Planning Submission
To:
NSW Department of Planning and Environment

Subject: Objection to Central Barangaroo Early Works Planning Submission

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am an Owner / Resident at Apt 9, 25A Hickson Road and write to formally object to the proposed Central Barangaroo Early Works Planning Submission. After reviewing the submission and its implications I have identified several critical concerns that I believe warrant immediate reconsideration of the proposed plans.
KEY OBJECTIONS
1. Traffic and Road Safety Concerns
Inadequate Road Capacity: Hickson Road is a narrow, single-lane road in each direction with speed humps and a 40 km/h limit. It is misclassified as a sub-arterial road and cannot safely accommodate the proposed volume of construction traffic.
Swept Path Conflicts: Large construction vehicles will require both lanes to turn into the site, forcing southbound traffic to stop at multiple points (AQL Gate 1, AQL Gate 2, Barton Street).
Work Zones in Critical Areas: Work Zones 2 and 3 are proposed within the single-lane section of Hickson Road, which will severely disrupt traffic flow and create safety hazards.
2. Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
High Pedestrian Volumes Ignored: The western footpath of Hickson Road is heavily used by commuters from Barangaroo Station. The submission underestimates this usage and fails to provide adequate safety measures.
Inadequate Pedestrian Management: Claims that pedestrians will be prioritized are not credible based on past experience. No clear modelling has been provided to show how pedestrian safety will be maintained.
Cyclist Infrastructure Overlooked: The separated cycleway on the eastern side of Hickson Road is not shown in the plans and its interface with construction traffic is not addressed.
3. Construction Access and Loading
On-Street Loading is Unsafe: Loading and unloading within Hickson Road work zones is inappropriate. The site is large enough to accommodate all such activities internally.
Multiple Access Points Create Chaos: The use of three separate gates (AQL 1, 2, and 3) increases traffic conflict points. A single, consolidated access point at the southern end of the site is recommended.
4. Environmental and Operational Impacts
Dust and Mud Control Measures Are Weak: Wheel washing is not mandatory, and cattle racks are ineffective. This will lead to dirty roads and environmental degradation.
Understated Construction Duration and Impact: The 28-month excavation program likely underrepresents the full construction timeline and traffic impact, especially if building works begin concurrently.
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully request the Department to:
i. Eliminate work zones in the single-lane section of Hickson Road.
ii. Require a consolidated site access point at the southern end.
iii. Mandate internal loading/unloading within the site.
iv. Commission independent modelling of traffic and pedestrian impacts.
v. Require a revised traffic and pedestrian management plan that prioritizes safety and minimizes disruption.
I urge the Department to consider the significant and ongoing disruption this proposal poses to our community. I welcome the opportunity to engage further on this matter and request that my concerns be formally recorded and addressed.

Sincerely,

Ms Joanne Lim
Owner / Resident
9/25A Hickson Road, Millers Point, Sydney 2000

Central Baranagroo Early Works - Excavation & perimeter wall - SSD- 46922214

Please see attached (i) letter & (ii) statements & responses documents in relation to the Traffic & Pedestrian Management Plan - which we do not support

Dear Planning Team,
Please find attached the submission letter from the owner of 65-69 Kent St, Millers Point objecting to the project.
Please feel free to contact myself or the owner directly if you have any queries.
Kind Regards,
Lisa Ayoub on behalf of Mr J B Garner & Ms J E Garner

I am a resident of High Street, Millers Point and I will be directly impacted by the Central Barangaroo Development. I welcome the commencement of the project. That said, my experience during the construction of the Barangaroo Metro Station was that resident parking in High Street was taken up by large 4WD commercial vehicles all displaying valid Mobility Parking Permits. It was evident that subcontractors were abusing the Mobility Parking Scheme and that enforcement by council rangers was impossible as the permits were valid. I suggest a better approach would be for the Developer to appoint a community liaison officer with a brief to educate and discourage subcontractors from abusing the Mobility Parking Scheme. I understand that this approach was very effective when Mirvac constructed the Harold Park Development and I encourage Aqualand to do the same.
Regards,
Robert Carrick | 12 High Street, Millers Point, NSW, 2000 | M: 0421 058 734