Barry O’Farrell rolls the dice on Barangaroo

The prospect of a second casino in Sydney is being politically contested as the NSW Government publicly endorses James Packer’s Barangaroo development plans.

As Mr Packer’s Crown Group announced plans to develop a hotel and casino estimated to be the size of three football fields within the Barangaroo site, the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said the proposal is exciting.

“I think it’s an exciting proposal which could add extra life to Barangaroo, give Sydney another world class hotel, generate jobs and boost tourism,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“It’s the sort of tourism-related investment we want in Sydney, but everyone’s aware there are a range of regulatory approvals needed before it could proceed.”

However, beyond regulatory approvals, the Lord Mayor Clover Moore is calling for Mr O’Farrell to consult with the public for their approval before any major changes are made to Sydney’s $6
billion-plus Barangaroo development.

“Everyone expects developments to go through a proper planning process – I call on the Premier to involve the public before further endorsing any more massive changes to this very significant
site,” Ms Moore said.

“Sydney needs a new, first class hotel – something that has long been identified for this site – but not in this proposed location.”

The $1 billion high-rise hotel and high rolling casino planned by the Crown Group is set to sprawl across 2.8 hectares of the middle part of Barangaroo, known as Barangaroo Central, according to
images prepared by Mr Packer’s architects.

However, this will squash visions of a cultural and recreational hub which have long been focussed on Barangaroo Central, along with some low-rise residential and commercial developments.

Ms Moore said: “All the research and work done so far shows that the public foreshore land in central Barangaroo should contain the cultural, educational facilities and, to complement the
Headland Park, a Domain style active recreation space for the 23,000 people who will work in the precinct and the 33,000 people who will visit the site each day.”

Yet, a Crown spokesman told Sydney Morning Herald that the complex would occupy 2.8 hectares of the 7-hectare central portion, leaving plenty of room for other activities.

Member of the Pyrmont Action Group, Elizabeth Elenius, said another casino in Sydney would be a travesty.

“The land at Barangaroo is for civic and open space purposes,” she said.

“I wouldn’t wish [a casino] on the residents of Millers Point or Barangaroo for anything. The Star already caters for high rollers. Why do we need another Casino?”

And what of the tourism and job creation potential that Mr O’Farrell said comes with the proposed casino?

The NSW Department of Planning has approved three large commercial towers at Barangaroo; a development which Greens Councillor, Chris Harris, said will generate 30,000 jobs as it stands.

“To say the Casino is going to bring jobs is an insult, he’s treating the public like fools,” Mr Harris said.

“This is the state government doing a favour for one of their billionaire mates at a huge cost to the community.

Mr Harris said any income made by a casino is income lost by the population.

“Mr O’Farrell is talking about building another edifice for people to lose their money. How an earth can a casino benefit the population?”

To this Ms Elenius said: “Surely the NSW Government is not so bankrupt that is has to
feed off people’s weaknesses for gambling?”

By Kristie Beattie