Sydney Modern Gallery

I am looking forward to the construction of a new separate building known as the 'Sydney Modern' and the associated works.

Sydney Modern is firstly a crucial and critical move forward by the AGNSW and for the people of NSW, all Australians, and international visitors. It is an embarrassment that the AGNSW has such little exhibition space in comparison with their counterparts in other States.
Firstly, the building is very beautiful, with a light footprint on land that doesn't have any real purpose, even decorative. Secondly, the new building will bring an enormous number of new visitors to the city and State. Thirdly, looking to the future, the opportunities it provides will have a huge cultural impact on generations to come, even once we have all departed this earth. The people of NSW need a fantastic building for the art that they own, and this stunning building will provide that.

Very exciting to know that there will be a much needed extension to the gallery!

The plan to extend the Art Gallery of NSW on its present site (Sydney Modern) will be, if carried out, a planning mistake of historic magnitude. Future generations will look back at the stripping of land from the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain as a major blunder at a time when green space and tree cover in Sydney are under threat. This act would be seen to prove that our governments had no interest in the importance of green space, heat island effect and urban tree cover.

The land proposed to be stripped from Botanic Gardens and Domain was reserved as open space for the people of Sydney during the earliest for the Colony. It was not meant for building. An enlarged AGNSW is simply in the wrong place

This proposal continues the current destruction of trees and green space as a result of Light rail and WestConnex. Recently the Total Environment Centre identified 70 green spaces under threat throughout Sydney. We must not let this iconic green space be lost when there is an abundance of alternative, less harmful solutions.

If there is a need for an extension to the Gallery, it does not have to be on the current site. Many world-leading galleries have multiple locations. It would be far better to have it closer to the population centre of Sydney. If it makes any sense for Powerhouse to move to Parramatta, why not build an extension to the AGNSW there?

The current site has probably the worst public transport of any major gallery in Australia and it is difficult to think of another such poorly placed gallery globally. Yet there is no public transport requirement study or plan.

So, in conclusion, building on such an iconic and important piece of green space must be prevented.

I strongly object to this plan due to yet again green open space being taken from the Gardens. It is not unused land as many people access it to jog or just sit and enjoy the view which will be totally blocked by the new gallery.
The new building is too close to the road and the the new entry area is hardly inspiring & open to sun & rain.
Mrs Macquaries Rd is busy now & no plans have been made to increase parking or provide extra public transport.
During a building phase anyone trying to access one of the premier views in Sydney will find it chaotic as Mrs Macquaries Rd will be certainly blocked at certain times during the day.
Too many mature trees are being removed.
Some plans do not even show that the new gallery is right next to the Botanic Gardens and Domain. We do exist & our land is not just there for the taking.
Surely the Gallery could be built on the other side down the hill
towards the Domain Parking Station if they need to build in the area at all.

This project is very important for Sydney and will add so much value to the city, NSW and the people of Australia. It will give tourists a high quality destination and will give Australia great credibility in the global cultural landscape. The design is beautiful and I implore all critics to understand the facts and not let the fear of change cloud them. The Gallery is a place of diversity, comfort and belonging. Culture is imperative for the wellbeing of all citizens. This project must move forward and we must trust all the research has been done to ensure its excellence.

The proposed extension will be a significant contribution to the cultural life of Sydney, NSW and Australia. It will expand the ability of the AGNSW to provide stimulating and contemporary exhibitions that engage a wide array of our community.

The design is respectful of the landscape and the existing building. It sits on unused oil tanks that until ~10 years ago were unused but today are the site of personal training boot camps; not a wide communal use. It also will open up a narrow entry to the Domain and Botanic Gardens. Currently it is a narrow and unwelcoming set of overgrown stairs; as a regular user of these stairs, it is a regular sight to see confused tourists unsure of where to go (and whether it is safe). The design opens this space up, making it welcoming and increasing how pleasantly it links Woolloomooloo to the city. Ultimately, this design turns a thoroughfare that is not well maintained into an open space that will be much used. It provides a significant and iconic use of the disused oil tanks. And much needed space for the AGNSW. It is a modest and respectful design. Yet it will still leave the AGNSW with significantly less space than like institutions in other states. But it will bring many many visitors who can engage with contemporary and australian indigenous art, helping promote an understanding of who we are as a nation. It will also promote people to come to the gallery through the gardens, significantly lifting foot traffic and visitors.

There should be a large focus on public transport, discouraging private cars; cars currently make the crossing of the street difficult.

This project must go ahead.

As a long-time friend and supporter of the RBG Sydney I wish to voice a strong opposition to the submitted proposal. I do not oppose expansion of the Art Gallery of NSW. I was on a technical reference committee of the RBG for 10 years when the concept of expansion of the AGNSW was first raised with some interesting concept level alternatives none of which involved encroachment on the RBG.
There are three main and in my view overwhelming arguments against this proposal.
1. It encroaches physically, but more importantly, visually, upon the RBG, especially the Woolloomooloo gate. Upon leaving the hustle of College and Mary Sts or walking into the Domain from Macquarie St a sense of solitude and quite, which the current AGNSW does not interfere with, due to the serenity and classicism of its exterior, descends. Upon passing the AGNSW and walking or driving over the Cahill expressway bridge, everything becomes garden and green, there are no clashing built forms and a sense of enclosure prevails. The current position of the Domain and Trust offices is unfortunate but their 19th C character, again, does not overwhelm. Everything past the AGNSW becomes garden and green and special because it is rare. RBG Syd is a precious relict of Old Sydney and one of the great 19th C botanic gardens of the world matched only by Kew for scenic beauty and Central Park NY for institution (although far exceeding it in scenic beauty). This institution should never be impinged or encroached in this manner. No-one would ever think of encroaching a modern building in Kew or CPNY. The drive down Art Gallery Road to Mrs Macs Point is one of the great visual sensory pleasures of Sydney and is unique in the world. Its beauty lies in the lack of built environment and tranquility in contrast to the hubub of the world outside its borders. To disrespect these borders and bring built, busy, visually clashing modern life within the borders of one of the oldest institutions in Sydney is a disaster. The worst tryst and irony is that it will be planned and done by people who respect art. The current visual lines and sensory effect of this peninsular is a piece of historic landscape art that deserves as much respect as the pieces in their proposed galleries.
2. A modern art gallery must, by nature, be modern. The current design severely clashes not only with the current AGNSW but with the 19th C aesthetic of the RBG. While it is hard to find consensus when it comes to artistic merit the series of, basically flat roofs, intersecting at odd angles, might be modern, but it clashes very loudly with the order and serenity of the 19th C garden and its buildings, almost as if the architects delight in mocking such an old thing as a 19th C garden. The contrast between the formal Woolloo gates and this collection of modern flat roof structures now directly opposite it, will be stark.
3. There much better solutions to this space problem.
- The use of the old fuel bunkers is sensible and hidden; do not ruin any view lines. There was a suggestion to use them to store water for the RBG but would make an interesting gallery space.
- The garden over the Cahill (everyone should remember what that development did to the RBG) is a quite lead-in, even putting structures over it would detract from the solitude of the AGNSW facade surrounded, as it is, by green.
- To the south of the current AGNSW, in the Big Match lawn is a space that is completely under-utilised, does not connect to or impinge upon the RBG space physically or visually. A multi-story development in this space up to or even over Sir John Young crescent and the Cahill southern approaches would have no visual effect upon the RBG and would actually provide more useful gallery space for the AGNSW than the proposed single story flat roof structures. This space to the south of the AGNSW is already alienated from the RBG and Domain and allows the AG NSW ample space to expand.

I strongly urge the planning panel to reject this application. This is a critical piece of infrastructure in a critical visual position in Australia's oldest city and needs to be done well as it can never be returned to open green space. Expansion of the AGNSW in this direction is unnecessary, very harmful to the RBGS and there are much better alternatives for both of these institutions.

To whom it may concern,

I would like to express my 100% support on the development of the Sydney Modern expansion at the AGNSW. The plans and community consultations have been inclusive and have thoroughly explained the planning.

I hold my head high knowing that the State government is supporting this development. For too long now we have seen other State Gallery's and Museums develop and lead the cultural best practice charge.

Time to join them - and from the plans - surpass them.

I fully support the development of the Sydney Modern expansion at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This project will improve the cultural precinct of Sydney and provide a cultural meeting place for interstate and international visitors.

This is a step in the right direction and the support for this project illustrates a forward-thinking vision for the future of Sydney. Our State gallery will now be comparable in size to QLD and VIC, and with the vision of the Gallery executive team and board, we will be the leading example of promoting art and ideas.

I am a resident of Elizabeth Bay, I often visit the gallery sometimes once or twice a week , I believe the gallery needs the expansion.
The gallery does not have enough exhibition space or day to day space ,the gallery struggles to provide for all the children that wish to visit as there is no space for them inside they are often kept grouped outside waiting for entrance no matter what the weather is like because of this space problem the gallery must limit the number of school visits.
Many wonderful works are held in storage with long times between being able to be hung.
The gallery is a muched loved and used space with the central grand court being the only large area to take big groups and get togethers such as art after hours . The crowds can be overwelming if your elderly or disabled so some extra space would be very welcome.
I was thrilled to know the gallery would be expanding as it is open to all that want to wander the permanent collection without any entrance charge.
I know many are concerned regarding losing land from the botanical garden however as a walker of the area daily and having studied the plan and model consider the area being built on is the least used and most abandoned part of the garden. I believe that this space will be properly used by far more people than it is currently .
Many thanks
Chrissie Jeffery

I object to this proposal and urge DPE & the Minister to defer any decision and to require its re-consideration, due to:
a) its irreversible adverse impact on the Domain's landscape character, which is open, grassed and available to all users (not just art lovers);
b) its irreversible adverse impact on the Domain's open space (ditto);
c) its irreversible adverse impact on the open landscape character north of the gallery over the RMS Land Bridge, thus conserving existing Domain views to and from the harbour to this ridge line of open space (and the gallery as an object set in open space surrounds)(I reject that artworks 'need' a harbour view!);
d) its failure to seriously consider locating the bulk of desired new gallery space inside the WW2 oil tanks (only), with no new buildings anywhere near Mrs Macquarie's Road, i.e protruding into either open space or views currently available to pedestrians from the eastern footpath across the land bridge;
e) its failure to seriously consider a separate annexe building/ facility for Sydney Modern, e.g. in Barangaroo's 'hole in the ground' / box-without-a-function; or (better) in Western Sydney, where arguably 50% of AGNSW visitors live/ might find easier to visit - e.g. a Parramatta site - I could cite national or international examples, such as the National Gallery of Victoria for its 'modern' annexe on a separate downtown site; Hobart's MONA (quite 'away' from the city and TMAG's downtown 'offer' and arguably complementary to it) or the Tate and Tate Modern in London - this 'modern annexe' trend is global, and appears, in this SSD, to have been summarily dismissed, I suggest highly questionably;
f) its failure to consider extending the gallery footprint east, not north, 'filling up' the Domain land to abut the Eastern Distributor trench, relocating Brett Whiteley's 'matchsticks' sculpture; and if necessary, removing the mature Moreton Bay fig on the south side of the Gallery - considerable space is on this eastern and south-eastern side of the existing gallery, with no adverse impact on the open space and views on the north;
g) its blithe ignoring of the proposal's causing the loss of future rental or any other income from its own lands to the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney & Domain Trust, for 'taking' its land, for no recompense, the lack of any future rent, lease payments (at market rates), etc - i.e. 'free' land for AGNSW at no cost - that is simply indefensible. If the AGNSW can raise funding to cover Sydney Modern's construction cost, it can also raise funds for new or other land, i.e. a new site for this proposal;
h) the seeming absence of a business case, existing or projected visitor numbers, any discussion whatever of the people of Western Sydney, who lack any major Art Gallery (no disrespect to Campbelltown, Blacktown, or Liverpool/Casula's Powerhouse is meant by this - the total disparity of Arts funding from East: West, and the AGNSW's 'thinking' in this regard, is indefensible.

I would like to lodge my objection to the Art Gallery of NSW Expansion - Sydney Modern - State Significant Development (SSD) 14-6471 for the following reasons:

Firstly, the proposed development results in a very significant reduction in public open green space in the Domain. This is despite a requirement of the most recent Management Plan that there should be no net loss of open space with any new development.

Secondly, the current landscaped `green' entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Point, with its distinctive stand of trees, will be removed by the proposed development. We will also lose important public views over the adjacent Domain to the Harbour beyond.

Thirdly, the loss of open space around the Art Gallery building itself dramatically changes the setting of this historic building especially our current ability to view the whole building. The `shelter' structure proposed is adjacent to the existing Gallery and makes no attempt to be sympathetic in form or alignment.

Fourthly, the proposed `Entrance Plaza' and the adjoining `Entrance Pavilion', opposite the Woolloomooloo Gate, are only setback by respectively 5.8m and 10m from Mrs Macquarie's Road.The Entrance Pavilion itself rises 7 to 8m above the road. These two buildings are too far forward and combined with the height of the Entrance Pavilion impact significantly on important public views from the north.
Significantly the proposal needs to be set back behind the building line of the front facade of the historic Art Gallery building if we are going to preserve the current important entry experience to this historic building.

Finally the footprint for the proposal is more than double the footprint of the current Art Gallery of NSW. It is an extremely large building sited in historic open space which needs to be protected. A new important modern public Art Gallery, like Sydney Modern, needs to be sited elsewhere where it is not required to trade-off one significant public asset to gain another.

I have also been working with a group who have developed more detailed grounds of objection; David Chesterman, Ros Andrews, Gillian Appleton and Bruce Donald. I have reviewed their objections and support them.

I believe the Sydney Modern project is an extraordinary and needed addition to Sydney both architecturally and culturally.
It's sympathetic use of its potential site is quite simply stunning.
As someone who uses the Botanical Gardens and the Harbour foreshore in that area daily, I feel very strongly that this project will externally consolidate what is currently a very odd and unappealing area between The AGNSW, Botanic Gardens, The old tanks and Woolloomooloo, and the buildings contents will be a light Internationally for Australia and Australian artists. Who knows perhaps it can also bring some much needed International attention to the incredibly talented living artists we have here in Sydney, NSW and the country also.
The addition to the Tate Modern in London and The addition of the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town to name just two hugely successful new International project are illustrating the general publics appetite for Art and indeed the local communities interest and excitement for new, contemporary, usable spaces.
The AGNSW is doing such a great job I can only imagine what they can achieve with a resource like the Sydney Modern.
Very Best.

No loss of green space is acceptable.

The size of the footprint is a landgrab

There is negative visual impact on the precinct - particularly the vistas down from Art Gallery Road, Mrs Macquarie's Road and from Woolloomooloo Gate.

The loss of 140 of 220 trees in the development footprint is unacceptable.

Of particular concern is the large number of trees that will be removed opposite Woolloomooloo Gates on Mrs Macquaries Road to make room for the Pavilion.

The significant disruption to the Garden and Domain during construction.

Loss of parking spaces outside the Gallery.

Mrs Macquaries Road / Art Gallery Road provide the only vehicular access to Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

There is no public transport requirement study or plan.

No loss of green space is acceptable.

The size of the footprint is a landgrab

There is negative visual impact on the precinct - particularly the vistas down from Art Gallery Road, Mrs Macquarie's Road and from Woolloomooloo Gate.

The loss of 140 of 220 trees in the development footprint is unacceptable.

Of particular concern is the large number of trees that will be removed opposite Woolloomooloo Gates on Mrs Macquaries Road to make room for the Pavilion.

The significant disruption to the Garden and Domain during construction.

Loss of parking spaces outside the Gallery.

Mrs Macquaries Road / Art Gallery Road provide the only vehicular access to Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

There is no public transport requirement study or plan.

Artspace is Australia's leading interdisciplinary space for the creation and presentation of contemporary art. A site where artists across generations test new ideas and shape public conversation through rigorous exhibitions, performances, artist residencies, and public programs. Artspace's mission is to enhance our culture through a deeper engagement with contemporary art.

Established in 1983, we are dedicated to the presentation of contemporary and experimental art in a critical context, Artspace has been clearly defined over time as an alternate space supporting contemporary artists and their practice, operating as an adjunct site to the AGNSW and playing a vital role within the ecology of the contemporary art industry.

Situated in the East Sydney precinct and within a short 5-minute walk from the AGNSW, the Directors and Executive Management of Artspace are committed to supporting the proposed development of Sydney Modern. The opportunity to revitalize and enrich a major cultural site in Sydney will not only bring excellence in contemporary art and art practice to audiences across NSW but situate Sydney as a major destination for art internationally.

Over the past three years Artspace have been in discussion with the AGNSW looking at ways to capitalize on our close proximity, leverage knowledge, resources and audiences to raise the profile of Sydney as a major cultural destination and provide greater opportunity for the artists we work with. The shared vision between Artspace and AGNSW is to connect our two landmark cultural sites in the East Sydney precinct through offering an integrated community outreach, education and learning space for experimentation and risk across all areas of contemporary art practice, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of youth audiences across secondary education.

The development of Sydney Modern will allow us to clearly define our institutional relationship to one another, as well as deliver significant long-term benefits to artists and audiences for contemporary art both locally, nationally and internationally. Artspace is an exploratory site directly supporting the development of artists and their practice without constraint or delineated outcomes. Our neighbors AGNSW and Sydney Modern provide the artists who we work with a natural career progression, giving them access to audiences, public programming, the opportunity for acquisition, and the subsequent gravitas associated with an esteemed institution.

The expansion of the AGNSW with the development of Sydney Modern will deliver the following benefits to Artspace, and the livelihood of the Australian contemporary art sector as a whole:

* Demonstrate leadership and vision internationally in the development of a major new cultural destination located in Sydney;
* Develop a currently underused public site into a world-class art museum facility within a complimentary landscaped environment, whilst preserving and enhancing the site's origins;
* Increase in audiences by having the capacity and space to deliver larger, ambitious exhibitions accompanied by expansive public programs that drive a deeper and more enriching engagement between audiences and contemporary art;
* Increased opportunities for Australian artists across all generations, with additional exhibition space for expanded programs, and dedicated facilities to allow them greater access and opportunity to connect with audiences;
* An increased connection with the local community in which AGNSW is situated adjacent to Woolloomooloo and the East Sydney precinct, an area with a broad socio-economic demographic and rich in cultural diversity;
* An increase in collaborative partnerships both nationally and internationally that share knowledge and build capacity across the sector;
* A growth in economic impact to the local area, and to the wider Sydney and NSW economy with increased audience visitation for Sydney Modern based exhibitions, events, programs;
* An increased capacity to host major events both public and private with the provision of expansive world-class facilities; and,
* A growth in benefaction and philanthropy, as expanded supporter networks gain increased insight and disseminate knowledge about the benefits and outcomes of directly supporting and sustaining a vibrant contemporary art sector.

Artspace highly commend the development and expansion of AGNSW and Sydney Modern to the Department of Planning and Environment for a State Significant Development Application.

It would be a great shame to build over the open land surrounding the art gallery. Open space and trees are a great boost to people's well being.

It would be a great shame to build over the open land surrounding the art gallery. Open space and trees are a great boost to people's well being.

Great to see that Sydney will get an Art Gallery that it deserves as a world class city.