The Cutaway Modification 3 - Event Categories

Hi

My name is Michael Johnson, and I represent the owner Jackirmic By the Sea of Lot 14/5 Towns place Millers Point 2000. (SP 76902)
We object to the proposed DA The City of Sydney is considering DA SSD-47498458-Mod-3 (Applicant: Placemaking NSW), which seeks to allow 24-hour, seven-day use of the Barangaroo “Cutaway” event space.

The above proposal would significantly affect our enjoyment of living at the above address due to significantly increase noise, traffic both pedestrian and vehicle and late-night disturbance through our residential area which will harm local amenity.

We Support the Cutaway’s cultural use but oppose 24-hour operations and believe the existing hours of operations are in keeping with the area

Kind Regards
Michael and Jacki Johnson

I object to the proposed Cutaway Cultural Facility at Barangaroo.

I reside in Millers Point/Walsh Bay and object to the proposed project as it will accentuate the current issues and risks associated with elevated visitation at Barangaroo, Walsh Bay and Millers Point. Some of the major issues and risks include (and are not limited to):

- Noise pollution: a host of major events and subsequent noise from increased patronage has negatively impacted surrounding residences, which will only intensify if the proposed project ensues operations. Noise is generated by visitors and their vehicles alike, as well as from the service vehicles and workers who frequent the area prior, during and after an event. Noise levels have already increased beyond levels conducive for sleep during and after current operating hours.

- Congestion, traffic movements and demand for parking beyond current capacity levels: the proposed project will generate more car movements and entice greater demand for car parking in a location which is already subject to severe capacity constraints. This is in addition to the traffic implications and increased demand that will come from new residents and their visitors at the proposed new residences along the Barangaroo foreshore. The proposed project does not adequately address this problem.

- Significant health and safety risks: increase patronage and a significant rise in traffic volumes pose significant health and safety risks to residents, visitors and the broader community. Moreover, these events restrict residents and emergency services from moving in and out of the locality, which can prove to be fatal and disastrous in the event of an emergency. The proponent cannot guarantee that the level of risk pertaining to health and safety will not deteriorate as a result of the proposed project – as such it should not proceed.

- Littering and waste disposal: increased visitation equates to more littering during and following events which has a visual, health and environmental (waterways, etc.) implications on the immediate locality, as well as broader Sydney region. It is difficult to envisage that the proposed project will not accentuate this problem.

In all, it is anticipated the costs associated from this project on the local and broader community will outweigh the benefits of the selected few who utilise the proposed facility. As such, it is requested that the proposed project does not proceed.

I am a resident of Bettington Street in Millers Point.

I object to the proposed changes to the Cutaway operational hours for events.
I also object to the increase to the number of events, and permitted noise levels.

The Cutaway is located in close proximity to a number of residential premises. The increase in the number of noisy events and increased traffic and scarcity of parking spots will all have a hugely detrimental effect on all local residents and also to those who use the park as a place to enjoy a peaceful retreat into a natural environment.

Local residents and visitors have already paid a very heavy price (specially those of us who are disabled) by having the lift out of action for nearly two years to enable the creation of the Cutaway cultural facility. Bringing on Mod3 now will definitely prevent us from quietly enjoying living our lives in our own homes.

I wish to record my strong objection to the proposal to turn the Cutaway into a 24 hour destination.

The bedrooms in our apartment sit on top of Hickson Road, beside the Dalgety Road Bridge, and it is already impossible to sleep on Friday and Saturday night because of the unchecked and out of control hoons who constantly rev their cars through the canyons and tunnels directly below our windows.

When I say impossible to sleep, imagine going to bed in the pits at a Formula 1 grand prix.

Council and Government have apparently shown no interest in managing this circus.

And rather than manage the current disaster, we are faced with a proposal to dial it up a notch, so that the F1 event will continue all night, and every day of the week.

If you wanted to devise a scheme to make our city less liveable than it already is, then you would come up with this new Cutaway proposal.

It has not been possible to balance the interests of hoons, and rate-paying residents in the present circumstances. How on earth do you propose to balance those interests with even more hoons and drunks swelling the ranks? The short answer is that it will not be possible, no matter what management plan the promoter puts up. Talk is cheap.

See attachment

The Millers Point Community Resident Action Group (Inc.) (MPCRAG) have several concerns with the proposed modification to the operational conditions of the Cutaway located at 29-51 Hickson Road, Barangaroo.
We are concerned at the request for extended hours, extended number of events, the impact on residential amenity, the impact on the heritage properties, crowd control and movement, noise and disturbance to residential properties, (particularly in Merriman, High and Bettington Streets and Towns Place).
The MPCRAG request that a permanent decibel monitor be installed and a complaint mechanism be set up by Placemaking NSW.
Barangaroo can and should be a vibrant cultural precinct, but this must not come at the expense of our long-standing residential community who will have to deal with the late-night impacts.

I am the co-owner of 24/5 Towns Place, Millers Point and 307/21 Hickson Road, Millers Point.

I wish to formally lodge my objection to the proposed modification permitting the Barangaroo Cutaway to operate on a 24-hour basis. In my view, this proposal is unnecessary and would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the surrounding residential community.

Continuous operation throughout the night will inevitably result in increased noise from vehicular traffic and pedestrian activity, causing significant disturbance to residents. Moreover, extended hours of activity are likely to elevate the risk of antisocial behaviour and crime, thereby compromising public safety and adversely affecting property values in the area.

I respectfully urge the NSW Government/ City of Sydney to reject this modification in order to preserve the character, safety, and livability of Millers Point.

I am the owner of 24/5 Towns Place, Millers Point and 307/21 Hickson Road, Millers Point.
I am strongly objecting to the DA for 24 hour opening of the Barangaroo Cutaway. I believe it is totally unnecessary to be open for use for 24 hours and unfair to local residents who will be subjected to increased noise from traffic and pedestrians throughout the night. Late night, early morning activity is likely to increase the crime rate and this will have a negative impact on our property values as well.
Thanking you,
Suzanne Nicol

Dear Sir/Madam,
I strongly object to this project for numerous reasons. 24/7 operation near a residential area will disturb the neighbours amenity of enjoying their peace and quiet especially from a large event. All the hard surfaces reverberate noise in this area. Traffic congestion is already an issue late at night when Sydney Theatre finishes there is normally a traffic jam along Hickson Road and Towns Place with drivers becoming frustrated tooting their horns creating more noise.
There is a inconsistency with Planning Principles , the modification conflicts with the Sydney Local Environment al Plan (LEP and Development Control
Planning (DCP) there is no safeguard for residential amenity from noise, light and traffic impacts.
When the residents bought into Towns Place we were thrilled with the Headland Park, we think the new fit out at the Cutaway looks lovely but it should not be used for a 24/7 day a week function centre.

I thank you for your consideration
Ingrid Webster
6/5 Towns Place
Millers Point NSW 2000

I strongly object to this proposal to allow 24/7 operation of the Cutaway.
This proposal will have EXREMELY serious and unacceptable noise impact in close proximity to Towns Place Apartments, Dalgety Road and Hickson Road Millers Point.
Additionally, this will further exacerbate the traffic noise (both vehicular and pedestrian) that we currently experience in the precinct.
When New Years Eve events are held at Barangaroo Headland Park, the cacophony is such that, even with doors and windows closed, the volume from the PA systems overwhelms our apartment.
While I realise that the Cutaway is partially underground, the structure is comprised of hard surfaces. The sound will reverberate and doubtless be highly intrusive upon those residents in the near vicinity.
Pedestrian and traffic noise will be a nightmare for the residents.
24/7 operation is not acceptable or necessary in a residential area
The modification is in conflict with Sydney Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) objectives to "safeguard residential amenities from noise, light and traffic impacts".
The residents who bought into Towns Place Apartments many years ago were of the understanding that Barangaroo Reserve would only be operated and managed with time restricted events.
Allowing a 24/7 operation is in conflict with this commitment and will alter the peaceful enjoyment of our apartments at all times of the night and day.
Please listen to the people who live here.

The City of Sydney strives to create a city of villages including residential properties. That said ,residents need adequate sleep to maintain their health and sanity.The proposed changes to the Cutaway of 24 hr noise and vibration is not compatible with this aim.

We have received details of the above development application and would like to register our strong objection to this being approved by Sydney City Council.

The proposal to permit 24-hour, seven-day operation would have a serious and unacceptable impact on the residential properties in the surrounding precinct, particularly for residents of Towns Place, which sits directly adjacent to the main pedestrian and vehicular access points serving the facility.

Key concerns include:

1. Late-night noise and disturbance from large-scale events
The semi-enclosed Cutaway structure amplifies sound and reverberation. Unrestricted event hours will result in extended nighttime noise, particularly during crowd dispersal and vehicle movement, disrupting residents at 6–8 Towns Place—located within approximately 100 m of the facility.

2. Pedestrian traffic through a sensitive residential area at all hours
Patrons leaving the Cutaway access surrounding car parks via Dalgety Road and Towns Place, passing directly through a residential environment. Late-night foot traffic and congregation will unavoidably disturb residents’ quiet enjoyment.

3. Traffic congestion and safety impacts from car park access via Towns Place and Dalgety Road
The Wilson Barangaroo Reserve car park (≈ 300 spaces) and the Towns Place basement car park both rely on access at the Dalgety Road / Towns Place roundabout. Late-night arrivals and departures will introduce traffic noise, headlights, and safety risks into a purely residential setting.
Existing limits—6 am – 12 midnight—are reasonable and should remain.

4. Residential Expectations
Residents invested in Towns Place on the understanding that Barangaroo Reserve would be operated with managed and time-restricted event activity.
Allowing unrestricted 24-hour use would fundamentally alter the residential balance of the precinct and diminish its amenity, value and enjoyment.

5. Inconsistency with Planning Principles
The modification conflicts with the Sydney Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) objectives to:
• Safeguard residential amenity from noise, light, and traffic impacts;
• Ensure compatible land-use transitions between commercial and residential zones; and
• Limit late-night activity in residential areas.

6. Requested Outcome
We, the owners of a unit at 25A Towns Place, request that Council:
A. Refuse the proposed 24-hour operation under SSD-47498458-Mod-3
B. Maintain existing limits on hours and event numbers
C. Require that any future amendments include enforceable noise, traffic, and event-management plans with measurable compliance mechanisms.
We have always supported the cultural purpose of the Cutaway but oppose any dilution of the conditions designed to protect residential amenity.
Thank you for your consideration,
Yours faithfully,
Eddie & Carol

To: The Development Assessments Team
City of Sydney Council
GPO Box 1591
Sydney NSW 2001
By email: [email protected]
RE: Objection to Development Application SSD-47498458-Mod-3 – Barangaroo Reserve “Cutaway”
Event Space.
Applicant: Placemaking NSW
Executive Summary
The Owners – Strata Plan 76902 (Towns Place Apartments) strongly object to the proposed modification
(SSD-47498458-Mod-3) to the Development Approval for the Barangaroo Reserve “Cutaway” event
space, submitted by Placemaking NSW.
The proposal to permit 24-hour, seven-day operation would have a serious and unacceptable impact on
the residential amenity of the surrounding precinct, particularly for residents of Towns Place, which sits
directly adjacent to the main pedestrian and vehicular access points serving the facility.
Key concerns include:
• Late-night noise and disturbance from large-scale events and patron dispersal;
• Pedestrian traffic through a sensitive residential area at all hours;
• Vehicular congestion, light spill, and safety impacts from car park access via Towns Place and
Dalgety Road;
• Loss of amenity contrary to the intent of the original consent; and
• Non-compliance with the Sydney LEP and DCP objectives for residential protection.
We therefore request that Council retain the existing event and hour restrictions and refuse the
proposed 24-hour use.
1. Background and Context
The Barangaroo Reserve “Cutaway” was approved as a cultural and exhibition facility under conditions
that carefully balanced public activation with protection of residential amenity.
The proposed modification seeks to remove the differentiated event categories and their associated time
limits, replacing them with an unrestricted, 24-hour, seven-day operational framework. This represents a
significant escalation in intensity and is inconsistent with the original planning intent.
2. Adverse Impacts on Residential Amenity
a. Noise and Disturbance
The semi-enclosed Cutaway structure amplifies sound and reverberation. Unrestricted event hours will
result in extended nighttime noise, particularly during crowd dispersal and vehicle movement, disrupting
residents at 6–8 Towns Place—located within approximately 100 m of the facility.
b. Pedestrian Movements
Patrons leaving the Cutaway access surrounding car parks via Dalgety Road and Towns Place, passing
directly through a residential environment. Late-night foot traffic and congregation will unavoidably
disturb residents’ quiet enjoyment.
c. Vehicular Traffic and Car Park Operations
The Wilson Barangaroo Reserve car park (≈ 300 spaces) and the Towns Place basement car park both
rely on access at the Dalgety Road / Towns Place roundabout. Late-night arrivals and departures will
introduce traffic noise, headlights, and safety risks into a purely residential setting.
Existing limits—6 am – 12 midnight—are reasonable and should remain.
3. Breach of Reasonable Residential Expectations
Residents invested in Towns Place on the understanding that Barangaroo Reserve would be operated
with managed and time-restricted event activity. Allowing unrestricted 24-hour use would fundamentally
alter the residential balance of the precinct and diminish its amenity and value.
4. Inconsistency with Planning Principles
The modification conflicts with the Sydney Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control
Plan (DCP) objectives to:
• Safeguard residential amenity from noise, light, and traffic impacts;
• Ensure compatible land-use transitions between commercial and residential zones; and
• Limit late-night activity in residential areas.
No adequate mitigation or management strategy has been provided to justify the proposed expansion.
5. Requested Determination
The Owners – Strata Plan 76902 respectfully request that Council:
1. Refuse the proposed 24-hour operation under SSD-47498458-Mod-3;
2. Maintain existing limits on hours and event numbers; and
3. Require that any future amendments include enforceable noise, traffic, and event-management
plans with measurable compliance mechanisms.
Residents of Towns Place support the cultural purpose of the Cutaway but oppose any dilution of the
conditions designed to protect residential amenity.
Kate Maclachlan
Strata Managing Agent for the Owners Strata Plan 76902

P: 612 8354 6902
E: [email protected]

Dear Madam/Sir,
As an owner occupier of the Towns Place Community (see address and contact details below) I write to object in the strongest terms to the subject DA submission.
I stress that I support and applaud the initiative to develop the Cutaway’s cultural use but strongly oppose 24 hour operation on the grounds that:
• people leaving the venue late at night will generate traffic noise
• pedestrians will disturb the local amenity late at night
• contractors delivering and removing equipment will disturb our amenity
I have no problem with the previously agreed limits which I believe should remain.
Yours faithfully,
John Filmer
21/5 Towns Place
Millers Point
NSW 2000

Mobile: 0411 100 200
Email: [email protected]

I support the upgrade of the Cutaway and acknowledge the steps taken to improve the noise attenuation with the upgrade of the facility itself. Of particular note is the facility capacity which is noted as 2,995 persons.
My objection is to the proposed modification to General Events Category 3 from the currently approved 8am – 6pm 7 days to proposed 24 hours.
The submission appears only to consider the noise impacts of the facility itself whereas my objection is in relation to the egress of up to 2,995 persons that may occur at any time over a 24/7 period.
The proposed modification appears to justify the ability to handle this number of persons based on the proximity to the metro station and car parks in the area. I note that the Metro stops running at approx. 11pm and the carparks generally close around this time as well. Having this volume of people egress the site with no public transport or car parking available (and increased hours of carparking are not supported) will mean people spilling onto surrounding residential streets. We know from current experience that people walking the streets are making a lot of noise and this would only exacerbate it on a potentially 24/7 basis.
I would request before any recommendation is made in relation to the Modification that the proponent be compelled to do a full assessment which includes a noise and transport assessment of access and egress to/from the cutaway facility on the proposed 24 / 7 basis

I wish to voice my objection to the modifications to the project.
I agree that Barangaroo should be a vibrant cultural precinct but this should not be to the detriment to the local community that you may have forgotten but you actually have an obligation to also support.
It is outrageous to think that it is ok to adjust the application to now include 24 hour operation/access and no limits on use.
This would increase significantly on noise and traffic levels along with late night disturbances that are already at a level the at The Rocks police cant address and apologise, for not have resources to do so. ( As im typing this there is drag race between a hotted up car and motorcycle up Dalgety Road! at speed).
Please think again regarding this proposed change. It is not fair nor reasonable.

I am a resident of High Street, Millers Point and will be directly impacted by the behaviour of patrons attending events at the Cutaway Cultural Facility. Residents of Millers Point are entitled to a good night's sleep and to the preservation of the amenity of our heritage-listed area. I call on the government to ensure events conclude by 10 pm on week nights and 11 pm on weekends, and that event organisers have security staff on hand to ensure patrons leave the Barangaroo Station precinct in a quiet, orderly fashion, and do not party on until all hours on the Stargazer lawn or create a public nuisance. Events should not conclude after public transport has ceased. What is more important than the absolute decibel levels of sound is the type of events using the facility. Some events have a good track record with well-behaved patrons, and some are a magnet for excessive alcohol consumption and substance abuse. Music Festivals are a case in point. I call on the Government to ensure that event organisers booking the venue are required to demonstrate that the event attendees will behave in a socially responsible manner. I also call on the council to enforce local resident parking restrictions during events.

I support the proposal

I write in response to the proposed modification to extend the operational hours of The Cutaway cultural facility at Barangaroo. While I am generally supportive of extending the venue’s operating hours to encourage cultural activity and economic vibrancy, I strongly object to the proposal unless adequate measures are introduced to protect nearby residential amenity, particularly for residents of Merriman Street, Dalgety Road, Towns Place and the historic homes located between the Cuttaway and Circular Quay.

Conditional Support for Extended Hours:
Support for longer operating hours should only be granted on the condition that no patrons are permitted to access Level 1 or Level 2 via the lift after midnight. This restriction is essential to prevent late-night congregation and noise spillover into the open areas of Barangaroo Reserve and adjacent residential precincts. Staff and essential cleaning or security operations could continue internally, but public access to these levels from the major event space below must cease at midnight.

Impact on Residential Amenity

Residents in the historic precincts surrounding Barangaroo already experience significant amenity pressures from tourism, traffic, and event activity. The current proposal gives insufficient weight to these impacts, particularly in relation to late-night noise and crowd dispersal.

It is not only the potential noise from the events themselves that poses a problem but the secondary disturbance caused by large numbers of patrons leaving the venue after midnight. Experience has shown that the transition of large numbers of people from the Cutaway into nearby streets and parklands can cause unacceptable disruption to local residents during night hours.

Historical Precedent – AHA Conference Incident
Prior to the recent renovation of The Cutaway, a large-scale event — the AHA Conference — resulted in serious and wide-ranging disturbances to nearby homes. Patrons leaving the function spilled into Barangaroo Reserve and the adjoining streets, engaging in:
Public urination, defecation, and fornication;
Vandalism and littering;
Shouting, fighting, and ringing residents’ doorbells along Merriman Street;
Street racing, hooning, and other forms of antisocial behaviour.
These events caused distress to local families, damage to property, and lasting concern about future night-time uses of the venue.

Request for Stronger Conditions:
Accordingly, I request that any approval of the modification be subject to the following conditions:
- Lift access restrictions: No public access to Level 1 or Level 2 after midnight; only authorised staff and security permitted.
- Crowd dispersal management: All patrons leaving events after 10 pm must be directed and dispersed towards Barangaroo to continue on to late-night transport options. The properties in Barangaroo are purpose-built to buffer noise, and there is a safe pedestrian route via Wynyard Walk. By contrast, the heritage homes in Millers Point and Dawes Point are directly on the street and can never be soundproofed; these communities require stronger protection from late-night disturbances.
- Resident notification: Advance notice to residents of Merriman Street, Dalgety Road, and Towns Place for all events expected to end after 10 pm.
- Consideration given to restricting access to Bettington and Merriman Streets during major events as ticketholders descend on these streets hoping to find on street parking and cause a high level of disturbance to the residents and businesses as well as park/playground users. Special access conditions are already in place for Vivid and NYE but should be considered for all events over a certain size to preserve public and private amenity and safety and to support the use of public transport.

Conclusion
Barangaroo can and should be a vibrant cultural precinct, but this must not come at the expense of the local residential community which bears the brunt of late-night impacts. The proposed modifications must be balanced with enforceable safeguards that protect the amenity, safety, and dignity of residents. This is essential to ensure that the residential community remains liveable with a fair degree of peaceful enjoyment, without amenity, the vibrancy of the local community suffers as homes become unsuitable as primary residences. These State Heritage Listed homes contribute significantly to the cultural fabric of Sydney and this should be considered in any decision making regarding this proposal.