Barangaroo modification - what they're not telling you

The planning department has put a new modification to the Barangaroo concept plan on exhibition for public consultation.

The modifications relate specifically to the size and shape of Headland Park - the North Western tip of the peninsula.  The park is being redesigned to match the shoreline as it was in 1836.

The Planning Minister's media release describes the modification as "a recreation of the natural headland."  The concept plan modification will increase the size of the park and the Northern Cove.

What the media release doesn't say, but is clearly spelled out in the proposed modification letter is that the changes will also involve the removal of the harbour control tower and development land reserved for tourism and residential developments.  This comes after the previous round of plan modifications that increased the floor plan for commercial developments at the southern end of the site.

The harbour control tower was built in the 1970s and has been in constant use ever since as the main control centre for shipping movements in both Sydney Harbour and Port Botany.

The original Barangaroo concept plans retained the tower in the heritage section of the environmental assessment.  The new addendum to the heritage impact statement recognises that the tower is listed in the Heritage Act and goes on to state,

"It is recognised that the Control Tower may have some social significance due to its landmark presence in the landscape of Darling Harbour and Walsh Bay. However, this is not an established significance and is not considered to be of such strong importance to exclusively retain the structure within a new naturalised form and generously landscaped Headland Park."

Further drawings of the latest modifications can be found here (I see the new plans remove the tower but cruelly leave its shadow in place.)

Public comments about the modified plans can be made here until 6 March 2009.