I object to the proposal on the grounds of its proposed extension into the grounds of the Botanic Gardens and thereby reducing both the land available to these historic gardens and the open space available to both city workers and residents of nearby suburbs. Already significant areas of open space have been taken over in the Moore Park precinct and used for car parking and transport corridors. Enough is enough.

Furthermore we already have a large and underutilised Modern Art Gallery at Circular Quay in the MCA. We don't need another particularly as the motivation seems to be to compete with Melbourne.

I wish to object most strongly to the proposal. The reason for my objection is the proposed alienation of public open space owned by the historic Royal Botanic Gardens and constituting such a valuable asset for the whole community of Sydney. Open space is becoming more and more important as the Government pressures local Councils to increase housing densities leading to higher population competing for access to open space.

1. Loss of badly needed green space.
2. Parking already inadequate
3. Apparent conflict between moving Powerhouse Museum to Western Sydney and expanding Art Gallery in Central Sydney..
4. Money spent on football stadiums and museums would be better spent on Health and Education

Usage of green space within the city, seemingly as it appears an easy option, is not a sensible option. Usage of land already developed and under-utilised will enhance the city infinitely more than reducing green space, which will never be retrieved.

Protect the green land of Botanic Garden, Treasure the heritage

Whilst I believe the Art Gallery needs enlarging, it is vital that it be done well. The current plan typifies the Australian sprawl - a luxury we no longer adhere to. Vastly larger world galleries are more compact in their building footprint. Our green space is precious and can not be increased. This plan - from projecting right onto Art Gallery Road, overshadowing the historic original gallery, and spreading unnecessarily largely down the slope would be fine if land was unlimited. It should be stepped back, and shrunk in floor space but perhaps dug into the slope lower down for more levels. I am not architectural, but anyone can see this lovely plan is very unsuitable for the proposed site.

1. The proposed buildings are too large and take far too much
open space from the Domain.
2. The Art Gallery has already been enlarged several times and there is already the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay. The Sydney Modern Gallery should be located near Parramatta adjacent to the planned light rail and Western Sydney
Metro. This would recognise the booming growth of Western Sydney.

My main objections revolve around these points:
1. loss of green space.
2. The size of the footprint
3. The visual impact on the precinct - particularly the vistas down from Art Gallery Road, Mrs Macquarie's Road and from Woolloomooloo Gate.
4. Tree removals, plantings and relocations.
5. Building heights and the proximity of these buildings to the road.
6. Seawater Heat Exchange System - would require easements as the ducting and pump chamber cut through Trust land with impacts on Trust land from the pipe trenches.
7. Round-a-bout outside Woolloomooloo Gate.
8. The significant disruption to the Garden and Domain during construction.
9. Loss of parking spaces outside the Gallery (owned and controlled by the Trust) . The plan seeks to transfer ownership and / or control of a very significant part of that road to the Art Gallery.
10. No public transport requirement study or plan.

Why does the AGNSW need a "Modern"?. There is the edifice at circular quay. In my opinion no green space should be taken for any reason, particularly for a self-indulgent modern art gallery which will be seen by few, as opposed to open space which can be appreciated by many.

1.The proposed development removes existing open green space from continual, 24/7, public use by all citizens.
2. This is not unused space as has been claimed.
3. With the planned increase in the population of Sydney we need more open green space, not less.
4. The land to be taken includes 11,000 sqm of priceless land kept in trust for the people of NSW by the Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust. This should not be allowed.