The NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved a $63.5 million public domain package for Mirvac's Harbourside Shopping Centre redevelopment at Tumbalong/Darling Harbour, delivering 11,200 square metres of new public walkways, pedestrian bridges and an elevated park.

The approval follows the commission's December 2023 consent for the $2 billion mixed-use residential and commercial tower designed by Snøhetta and Hassell, advancing the precinct's transformation into a contemporary waterfront destination.

The public domain works span 11,200 square metres across the 20,500-square-metre site and will establish new connections between the harbour foreshore, surrounding streets and neighbouring precincts.

Along the Darling Harbour foreshore, the approved Waterfront Promenade redevelopment will feature a wide, planted walkway with multiple seating areas adjoining the podium's retail tenancies. Ground floor works also include two through-site links and an arrival point located on Darling Drive.

At first floor level, a new 3,500-square-metre Waterfront Garden with grassed areas and tree planting will connect to the ground floor via steps leading to the waterfront and Pyrmont Bridge. The garden will also link with the existing elevated pedestrian bridge to the north of the site, which will be reinstated as part of the works.

A second new elevated walkway will span Darling Drive, connecting the site to Bunn Street to the west and improving pedestrian connectivity across the precinct.

In a presentation to the commission, Mirvac outlined their vision for the site as "a living waterfront that connects the threads of time, place, Country, and neighbourhood to return to Tumbalong, where all are welcome."

The developer described the design as a "layered and tactile terrain that harbours inspiration and a heightened sense of belonging," with Connecting with Country, designing for dignity and community engagement serving as guiding principles for the public domain.

The design team collaborated with cultural design and research consultant Danièle Hromek (Djinjama) and Indigenous planting specialist Clarence Slockee (Jiwah) to embed Wangal and Gadigal ways of thinking and narratives throughout the design.

The commission's approval includes conditions addressing concerns raised by members of the public, who lodged more than 50 objections during the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure's assessment. Sixteen written submissions were received during the commission's public consultation period.

According to a statement published by the commission, "key issues raised by the community include the project's consistency with the concept approval, reinstatement of the north bridge (pedestrian bridge) and potential associated impacts, view loss, operations noise, events and security and lighting."

The commission's conditions include requirements for an Events and Operational Management Plan for the Waterfront Garden, an updated landscape plan and verification of compliance with the project's Wind Impact Assessment.

The project is scheduled to open in the latter half of 2027, completing the transformation of the former 1980s shopping centre into a mixed-use precinct that integrates residential living, commercial activity and enhanced public spaces along Sydney's harbour foreshore.

The approval demonstrates how major urban renewal projects can deliver significant public benefits alongside private development, creating accessible waterfront spaces whilst respecting cultural heritage and addressing community concerns through the planning process.

 

Source: ArchitectureAU

 

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