Sydney International Convention, Exhibition & Entertainment Precinct

The Goldsborough Building is a heritage-listed building built in the 1880's which sits at the northern end of Darling Harbour. This building has been converted into appartments and many of the appartments have extensive views over Darling Harbour.
The proposed redevelopment of the Darling Harbour site includes a Hotel Complex comprising of 2 multi-story buildings which will severely obstruct most of the view currently enjoyed by the residents within the building.
I own an appartment on the top floor of the building which was purchased as an investment for my retirement, mainly because of its location and outlook. If current plans go ahead the view from the windows will be 2 large hotel complexes, not the beautiful view that is currently enjoyed.
This will also impact on the value of the residence which, I envisage, will drop dramatically with the loss of the view. Any rents from the property will likewise be affected.
I have browsed through the heritage impact assesment which is available on this website and can find no mention of the major impact this redevelopment will have on the Goldsborough Building (a heritage-listed building).
I have no issue with the majority of the new developments on this site. However, the positioning of the hotel complex (the tallest of the buildings in the whole complex) should not impact so severely on the nearby residences.

The proposed design will result in:

1. Severe shadowing on public areas of Darling Habour and surrounding residents (i.e. Novotel, Goldsbrough Apartments)

2. Unbearable reflection

This could be avoided by relocating the taller aspects of the design towards Tumbalong park.

Re SSD 5752 A high rise development on the foreshore of Darling Harbour.
High rise near the water is in general an anathema. Ecologically it tends to produce destructive wind patterns. Scenically it obstructs vision from all sites further inland.
In this case it totally obstructs the water view from my apartment in the old Goldsbrough building, decreasing the amenity and the value of the property. The same applies to most of the other apartments in the building.

It is clear that the demolition and replacement of the existing Entertainment, Exhibition and Convention Centres is unnecessary and wastefully expensive when those buildings could easily be refurbished and possibly extended. It should not proceed.
Further, the size and positioning of the new hotel complex (strangely hidden from this planning application) will result in the loss to the general public of views of a building of major historical importance, the Goldsbrough Mort wool building. This loss would be offensive to anyone interested in retaining the City's few industrial buildings in a manner that enables them to be enjoyed by the general public. This proposal should also be rejected.

I am the owner of one apartment in the Goldsbrough, a residential building of approximately 500 apartments, which is located directly behind the proposed ICC Convention centre.

OBJECTION 1: THE HEIGHT AND SCALE OF THE NEW ICC CONVENTION CENTRE IN RELATION TO RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURS.

My central objection is to the height of the proposed new ICC convention centre which is nearly to the top of the Goldsbrough's current height.

In the DA plans the proposed height is RL 50.3 which will block the entire view to Darling Harbour and the city from the Goldsbrough's eastern facing apartments. There is supposed to be a concept of view sharing in the city but in this case the whole of the eastern view of the Goldsbrough will be blocked out by the new ICC convention centre.

In place of the current city skyline and Darling Harbour view there will be a flat blank metallic wall in its place, which is the rear of the proposed ICC convention building.

OBJECTION 2: OVERSHADOWING OF THE GOLDSBROUGH FROM THE PROPOSED ICC AND LOSS OF WINTER MORNING SUNLIGHT.

The ICC shadow diagrams show that there will be significant overshadowing of the Goldsbrough from the new ICC and towers, taking away any morning sunlight.

From the Shadow analysis diagrams in the DA it shows a significant loss of sunlight on Pyrmont St in front of the building and the Eastern face of the Goldsbrough in winter. This is in direct contradiction on trying to make Sydney's buildings more environmentally friendly.

OBJECTION 3: THE GOLDSBROUGH BEING AN ICONIC AND HERITAGE PART OF DARLING HARBOUR WILL BE OBSCURED FROM THE PUBLIC VIEW.

The scale of the ICC and the position of the ICC will obscure the view of the Goldsbrough which is a building of iconic and heritage significance in Sydney.

As it stands, the Goldsbrough remains one of the last historic buildings in the Darling Harbour precinct that can be seen from the public areas. It is one of the remaining links to the area's historic past and one that has also been successfully reused as a modern building.

The new ICC will obscure the historic façade of the building from public view and one that has been part of the Darling Harbour landscape since Sydney's early days.


There are a number of other issues such as the removal of the convention centre walkway (which currently offers safe access to the Darling Harbour precinct for anyone coming from the Goldsbrough, the public parking or indeed Ultimo more generally.

In conclusion I urge that the above concerns are taken seriously as they have a major adverse impact on over 500 apartments in the Goldsbrough building alone not to mention neighboring buildings.

Best regards,
Lena Aahlby

as an owner of goldsbrough i am very concerned at the lack of consultation as we will be most affected. the view from the front of the building (golsborough) is hideous.The rear of the new development looks like the an advertisement for colorbond. Maybe they can get graffiti artists to tart it up. the archictects and or planners for the proposed development need to have a rethink or get new ideas from a different firm. A stepped development like the novotel would be a better idea. Also concerning is the height, removal walkway which is a good safety measure and obscuring the iconic landmark from public view.

I wish to OBJECT AGAINST the current proposed redevelopment of the Convention centre, Exhibition and Entertainment precinct. I own an apartment in the Goldsbrough and I feel the current proposal has a significant negative impact on all owners and residents of the Goldsbrough building.
In particular I am concerned with the removal of the current convention centre walkway which directly connects the Goldsbrough to Darling Harbour. This is a major access point for all residents to both Darling Harbour and the rest of the CBD.
The alternative access via the Western Distributor
- Does not provide direct undercover access to the Goldsbrough building
- Is poorly lit, and feels less secure particularly in the evening
- Is relatively narrow, especially given that around 7000 pedestrian traffic use the current walkway every day. (Let alone increased traffic on days Darling Harbour has events, or increased traffic after the redevelopment).

In my view this loss of our main safe access point to both Darling Harbour and the CBD will have a significant impact on all residents of the Goldsbrough and neighboring buildings, and an adverse impact on both rental yields and property prices in the Goldsbrough and surrounding area due to restricted access to Darling Harbour and the CBD. I urge that further consideration is given, and that this access path should be kept or improved, especially to allow for increased traffic in the area resulting from the successful redevelopment of the Darling Harbour area.

I object to the Goldsbrough building being obscured from public view as it is an iconic part of darling harbour. The Goldsbrough is one of the last historic buildings in the Darling Harbour precinct that can be seen from public areas. The proposed ICC will obscure the historic facade of the building.

I object to the ugly western facade of the proposed ICC.

I object to the overshadowing of the Goldsbrough from the proposed ICC and loss of winter morning sunlight which will result in increased heating costs for the apartments. This is in direct contradiction to the aim of making Sydneys buildings more environmentally friendly.

I object to the removal of the current convention centre walkway without a viable alternative public access. The walkway is the safest way to enter Darling harbour from the west, the public carparks and all the residential buildings on Harris St Pyrmont

I object to the height and scale of the new ICC convention centre in relation to residential neighbours. It will block the entire view to Darling harbour and the city from the Goldsbroughs eastern facing apartments. There is supposed to view sharing in the city

I am an owner of an apartment in the Goldsbrough Building. The current plan will significantly diminish the views of Darling Harbour and the City Skyline. This was the main reason that I purchased this property. With the significant lost of the views, this will significantly decrease the value of this property. My main objections are as follows:

1. Objection1. - Height of the new ICC Convention Centre.

The proposed height of the new ICC Convention Centre is the same height as the existing Goldsbrough Building. This will block the entire view of Darling Harbour and the city from the Eastern facing apartments. My apartment which is located on the 6th and 7th Floor falls right in the middle and therefore the view will be the back of the New ICC Convention Centre. Today, the view from my apartment is at a height where I can easily see over the current Convention Centre. With the new ICC Convention Centre, I will lose this view and have a view of a blank metallic wall, which in turn will lose one of the main assets of the property.

2. Objection 2 - The West / Rear facing facade of the New ICC Convention Centre.

At the proposed height of the New ICC Convention Centre, the new view that I will be faced with is a mainly grey metallic panel, which is in stark contrast with the current view. If the view is to be dominated by this metallic facade, at least efforts should be made to make the western face aesthetically appealing

3. Objection 3 - Removal of the current Convention Centre walkway.

The current Convection Centre walkway provide quick and safe access to Darling Harbour and the Car Park. With the proposed change, this access will be removed and no viable alternative will be constructed. The alternative access method from the Western Distributor will increase access time considerably and decrease safety, especially for Children and the elderly,

4. Objection 4 - Obscuring of a Sydney Icon.

The Goldsbrough building has been a Icon of the Darling Harbour landscape since most of us can remember. The building has significant heritage value to Sydney. With the new ICC Convention Centre, the Iconic Goldsbrough Building will be hidden from public view. It is also on of the last remaining buildings in the Darling Harbour precinct that can be seen clearly. With the blocking of the view, what message is being sent about the value of this Iconic Heritage buildings.

In summary, the height of the new ICC Convention Centre should be re-e valued as not to ruin the personal investments of hard working individuals who have purchased properties who will lose the current views which are a significant current asset of those properties. If it is not possible to change the height, significant effort has to be made to make the western facade aesthetically pleasing to the owners who will lose their current view.

Efforts need to be made to provide alternative, safe and fast access to Darling Harbour due to the removal of the current walkway, which are currently not addressed in the plan.

I am an owner of an apartment in the Goldsbrough Hotel. I strongly object to the development as it will interfere with the unobstructed views of the CBD and Darling Harbour.
The Goldsbrough has been a tourist attraction and popular place of residence for many years. The building has been in existence since 1935. If the new development for application no. SSD5752 were to go ahead it would not only prevent the views for residents and guests, but also the view of the Goldsbrough's beautiful facade from the city. The building is an iconic part of the area and the new development shows no respect or regard for it's significant heritage in Sydney.
The removal of the convention centre walkway does not allow for residents and guests of the hotel to easily access the harboruside carpark, shopping centre, darling harbour and as a thoroughfare to the CBD. It is estimated the pathway is used by 7000 pedestrians per day and many more during public event days.
The removal of the footbridge would compromise the safety of the public as it is lit up for 24 hours and allows for members of the public including families with young children to cross the road and rail tracks safely.
The new development would impede on the morning sunlight during winter. This would in turn increase the need for residents and guests to increase their use of air conditioning in order to stay warm. This would in turn create unnecessary pollution and does not allow the building to be environmentally friendly.
The new development looks aesthetically unpleasing from Goldbsrough. There is no regard for the impact the building will make on the area as it is too large for the area and will cast large unsightly shadows. Many tourists and locals enjoy the large amount of free sunlit filled space. The new development takes way from the area in which many people socialise and bring their families to enjoy the sun.

To Whom It May Concern,

I wish to inform that I strongly object to the height and scale of the newly planned ICC Convention Centre, which will reach to approximately the top of the Goldsbrough building. This will mean that I, along with many other apartment owners will completely lose our city skyline view, leading to a loss in property value of at least $25,000. Furthermore, extensive sunlight will also be lost, leading to further devaluation of my property which I will not tolerate under any circumstances.

I also object to the removal of the current convention centre walkway that safely enables pedestrians to go from Darling Harbour and across the light rail tracks to the Goldsbrough, as there is currently no other safe method available to cross the light rail tracks. However, I would be willing to accept an alternative bridge / walkway if it were created.

Please reconsider these plans so that the new ICC Convention Centre does not exceed the current one in terms of height. The Goldsbrough is an iconic, historic piece of Sydney's skyline which should not be hidden behind an enormous, modern building.

Thank you.

1. The current view from my unit, i.e. the city skyline and
Darling Harbour view, will be fully blocked out by the ugly flat back wall of the new ICC building made of aluminum and mainly Grey.

2. From the proposed plans it looks like the current overhead pedestrian walkway next to the Convention monorail station is being removed. Currently, for mu unit in the Goldsbrough, it is the easiest and safest access-walkway to/from Darling Harbour.

3. The ICC shadow diagrams show that there will be a complete overshadowing of mu unit, which is on the 2nd floor in the Goldsbrough, from the new ICC, taking away the sunlight. This will increase the heating costs in winter. Moreover, the permanent loss of life-valuable sunlight will badly impact the living in my apartment.

4. The outlook from my unit to Darling Harbour will be blocked by the Western (rear) face of the ICC. The western face could be architecturally articulated and made of materials that don't look like a metal barricade.

5. Most importantly, the overall facts above will significantly decrease the commercial value of mu unit.

Dear Sirs

I am an owner at the Goldsbrough, on 243 Pyrmont St, and have recently read a brief on the proposed development of this project.

Whilst I am very pro any development on the harbor as it will bring economic benefits to all residents of Sydney, the proposed development is very disappointing. This is akin to building a great wall of China without any given consideration to existing residents of the area.

Existing views which were paid for at a premium will be blocked out in entirety, to be replaced by a grey wall. There will be overshadowing, privacy, and reduced walkways into the city.

May I propose, to permit affected residents to trade into the new development via a 1-1 exchange? e.g. The owner be given a unit on the same floor of the new development they currently own, and of the same size, outlook, etc. Naturally they will have to trade in their existing unit back to the developer - without costs.

This will allow a project to go ahead, existing owners will not be worse off. The developer will have plenty of units left for their use, plus a great stock of units to consider as part of the development.

Dear Madam/Sir,

The purpose of this letter is to submit our objection to the proposed Development Application SSD5752 (Sydney International Convention Centre).

I am an owner of Unit 555/243 Pyrmont Street which is located directly behind the proposed development that will adversely affect amenities to our building as follows:

1. The height and scale of the proposed development is excessive (RL 50.3), blocking views and exacerbating visual bulk.

2. The loss of a public access walkway, which serves as a major thoroughfare for residents and guests of the Goldsbrough, with no viable alternative proposed.

3. Overshadowing of the Goldsbrough from the proposed development, and obscuring an iconic and heritage part of Darling Harbour from public view.

The present version of the proposed development significantly and adversely affects the amentity of the community and is clearly unacceptable. Fortunately, we are not alone in sharing our concerns and the community is grouping together in strong opposition to the current development proposal in seeking necessary concessions.

Yours Respectfully,

Steven Zabeti

I object to the convention Centre being so high that my three apartments no longer have the view I paid for. I object to being overshadowed. I object to no walk way to reach Darling Harbour. I object to the new buildings taking up so much of the parkland, the walking space (e.g. where the Christmas tree goes will disappear.) I object the Boulevard cutting out the fountains and diminishing the park, the relocation of stage. I object to the COMPLETE over building of the area which is a delightful space for people to come to. I object to those people already paying rates in the area being completely overlooked and ignored. The Convention centre is perfectly all right as it is, it does not need to go 3 floors higher.
The Goldsborough Mort building will already be overshadowed by the two new 40 story hotels. What are you trying to do, turn us into a dark slum. I object to this form. The average person has no idea how to upload pdf format and many in the hotel will be intimidated.l OR is this the reason you have it?

I am an owner of three apartments, on level, 8, 9,10 of the Goldsborough Mort Building. I live from the rent of these apartments. They will be completely overshadowed if the conference centre is raised three floors higher than it is already. I will lose the view I paid for if it is raised. I will be overshadowed by the two 40 storied hotels. Goldsborough Mort will become a dark slum. I object to there being no walkway across to Darling Harbour. I object to the buildings taking up so much of the park, the loss of the fountains, the loss(replacing them with a boulevard is not good enough. The loss of the park land for children and parents to walk in. The attractiveness of the area will be spoilt by OVER BUILDING.I object to the park being minimised and the stage being relocated. What was once a delight will become an over crowded money making area. There is not enough car parks organised for the new apartment buildings. There is no primary school in the area for families with children who may live there. There is no decent library. But mostly the Boulevard sounds horrendous and itt will only lead to shops not grass and park. Greed is getting the better of common sense here. Already there isnt enough parking.

As an owner of an apartment at the Goldsbrough, I strongly object to the proposed development of the Convention centre, Exhibition and Entertainment precinct. I initially purchased this on the surrounding at the time. It is incomprehensible to understand why any Body, Government or otherwise would want to rob or diminish the view from or to the Goldbrough from Darling Harbour or other aspects. It is an Iconic building with heritage status, so why would anyone intentionally allow a development to severley impact on this building and block valuable view?
There are over 500 residential apartment in the Goldbrough, so many owners and guests will be affected! The height of the proposed new ICC convention centre is to the top of the Godsbrough's current height, and this will block the entire view to Darling Harbour and the city from the apartments facing East! The current city skyline and Darling Harbour view will be replaced by a flat metallic wall being the rear of the ICC convention building.
The current overhead pedestrian walkway next to the Convention monorail station forms a very important thoroughfare for residents and guest of the Goldsbrough. If this is taken away, it will have a severe impact and affect all regular users from the public car parks on the Western side of Darling Harbour. As this is the best and safest walkway to enter the Darling Harbour precinct it would be highly irresponsible to remove this causing a total disaster for many of the pedestrians and visitors who regularly use this which is around 7,000 pedestrian movements on this walkway.
There will also be a major impact to the morning sunlight which will also increase heating costs for the apartments. As the height of the proposed ICC is nearly the height of the Goldsbrough, this will also impact on the aesthetics of the building forming a visual of a Grey Metal barricade from the Goldsbrough. Why should an Iconic and Heritage part of Darling Harbour be obscured from public view?
For all the reasons aforementioned (and more) I strongly urge the NSW Government to not go ahead with this proposed development, or at least to modify the height of the ICC so that it doesn't have any adverse affect or impact on the surrounding neighbors or at least, it minimizes such impacts.

I own an apartment at the Goldsbrough and I highly object to the proposed development of the Convention centre, Exhibition and Entertainment precinct. I cannot understand why the Government would condone or allow an Iconic building like the Goldbrough to have its views impacted by a development. Owners and Sydney visitors deserve to have this Iconic building with heritage status maintained without compromising its views thus causing severe impact to this building.
With over 500 residential apartment in the Goldbrough, many owners and guests will be affected! The height of the proposed new ICC convention centre is to the top of the Godsbrough's current height, and this will block the entire view to Darling Harbour and the city from the apartments facing East! The current city skyline and Darling Harbour view will be replaced by a flat metallic wall being the rear of the ICC convention building.
The current overhead pedestrian walkway next to the Convention monorail station forms a very important thoroughfare for residents and guest of the Goldsbrough. If this is taken away, it will have a severe impact and affect all regular users from the public car parks on the Western side of Darling Harbour. As this is the best and safest walkway to enter the Darling Harbour precinct it would be highly irresponsible to remove this causing a total disaster for many of the pedestrians and visitors who regularly use this which is around 7,000 pedestrian movements on this walkway.
There will also be a major impact to the morning sunlight which will also increase heating costs for the apartments. As the height of the proposed ICC is nearly the height of the Goldsbrough, this will also impact on the aesthetics of the building forming a visual of a Grey Metal barricade from the Goldsbrough. Why should an Iconic and Heritage part of Darling Harbour be obscured from public view?
For all the reasons aforementioned (and more) I strongly urge the NSW Government to not go ahead with this proposed development, or at least to modify the height of the ICC so that it doesn't have any adverse affect or impact on the surrounding neighbors or at least, it minimizes such impacts.

I own an apartment at the Goldsbrough and I strongly object to the proposed development of the Convention centre, Exhibition and Entertainment precinct. When I purchased this I did so on the basis of its surroundings at the time.

Too often we see developments take place with total disregard to the buildings and surrounding environment. I cannot understand why the Government would want to interfere with or compromise an Iconic and heritage building like the Goldbrough by development. Surely these sorts of things should be protected by Governments? Such development would severley impact on this building and block valuable views?
Many owners and guests of the 500 residential apartments will be affected if this development eventuates!
The height of the proposed new ICC convention centre is to the top of the Godsbrough's current height. This means that the whole of the Eastern view of the G oldsbrough will be blocked out by the new ICC conventione centre. The current city skyline and Darling Harbour view will be replaced by a flat metallic wall being the rear of the ICC convention building.
The existing verhead pedestrian walkway next to the Convention monorail station forms a very important thoroughfare for residents and guest of the Goldsbrough. If this is taken away, it will have a severe impact and affect all regular users from the public car parks on the Western side of Darling Harbour. As this is the best and safest walkway to enter the Darling Harbour precinct it would be highly irresponsible to remove this causing a total disaster for many of the pedestrians and visitors who regularly use this which is around 7,000 pedestrian movements on this walkway.
There will also be a major impact to the morning sunlight which will also increase heating costs for the apartments. As the height of the proposed ICC is nearly the height of the Goldsbrough, this will also impact on the aesthetics of the building forming a visual of a Grey Metal barricade from the Goldsbrough. Why should an Iconic and Heritage part of Darling Harbour be obscured from public view?
For all the reasons aforementioned (and more) I strongly urge the NSW Government to not go ahead with this proposed development, or at least to modify the height of the ICC so that it doesn't have any adverse affect or impact on the surrounding neighbors or at least, it minimizes such impacts.

Hi ,
I am the owner of a penthouse level 13 apartment in the Goldsborough building 243 Pyrmont st Pyrmont 2009. I object to the Darling Harbour redevelopment SSD 5752.In particular, the building of the hotel in front of the Goldsbrough.

As per the plans, the hotel will block the current harbour view from my apartment. This will result in a lower market and resale value for the apartment.Additionally,this will reduce the current rental as the Oaks group, who are my agents, will no longer be able to market it as a harbour view apartment. I believe both the oaks group and the Strata Managers (Whelan) have also objected to the proposal.