Plans for 27/7 trading at a new events venue in Barangaroo, Sydney, have been scrapped following concerns about noise complaints from local residents.
The space is already more than 85% complete, and the first events at the venue, named The Cutaway, are scheduled to begin this July.
The NSW Government is majorly scaling back the plans for the $100 million space’s 24/7 trading, despite being put forward for those hours as part of the Chris Minns government’s aim to revitalise the state’s night-time economy.
The NSW Government recently axed the remaining remnants of the state’s controversial lockout laws, and The Cutaway would have represented a new era of cultural venues in Sydney.
City Hub reports that the venue will include space for live performances, festivals, concerts, art installations, fashion shows, and gala dinners, and will also serve as an additional space for Vivid.
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Due to concerns about noise complaints, the 24/7 trading schedule is no longer in place, with events now capped at midnight, except for exceptions such as New Year’s Eve.
Anne Crabb, the President of the Millers Point Community Resident Action Group, expressed concerns over the venue’s scale and design to the Sydney Morning Herald, stating potential for disruption for local residents.
“Unlike current 24/7 venues such as The Crown Casino and The Star, this is a huge and open cavernous space located on the harbourfront,” Crabb said.
Adding that Barangaroo “can and should be” a vibrant cultural precinct, Crabb said that reputation shouldn’t come at the cost of the community having to deal with “the late-night impacts.”
Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolau described the new business hours of 8 am to midnight, with noise controls becoming active from 10 pm, as “disappointing.”
“If you choose to live in Barangaroo – in the heart of a global city – a level of noise should be expected,” Nicolau said.
Nicolau said the city “desperately” must ensure enough venues are open 24/7 and that The Cutaway should have at least had a trial period as a space that operated for all hours.
“We desperately need to ensure there are enough venues and facilities that are open 24/7,” Nicolau explained. “The venue could have hosted overnight concerts, creative events or live broadcasts of international sporting competitions. At the very least, we should have given it a trial.”
You can find out more about the Cutaway project here.
