News
Green light for $6b Barangaroo contractSYDNEYSIDERS will have a new place to live, shop and reside in 2014, with the NSW government authorising the $6 billion contract for commercial development of Barangaroo at East Darling Harbour.
The signing today follows Lend Lease's winning bid to build Barangaroo's southern commercial precinct, with construction set to start this year and the first stage targeted for completion in 2014.
An extension to the existing light rail will serve commuters at Barangaroo - a 22-hectare site including office towers, residential apartments, a 30,000 square metre shopping area and a park.
Barangaroo was to be serviced by the CBD Metro, which was scrapped on Sunday as part of the Labor government's $50.2 billion Metropolitan Transport Plan.
It will now be served by an extension to the existing light rail network, with trams travelling from Central Station to Circular Quay via Barangaroo.
NSW Premier Kristina Keneally said work would begin immediately on the extension to the existing light rail.
"We are commencing immediately with the planning for the light rail and will achieve the planning approvals required this year and hopefully commence construction this year," she told reporters.
Ms Keneally could not confirm whether the light rail would be completed by 2014.
"We will be working as hard as possible to deliver the light rail as quick as possible," she said.
A new ferry hub will also link Barangaroo with the existing ferry network and a pedestrian tunnel will provide direct links between Barangaroo and Wynyard railway station.
Source: Herald Sun
Posted: 25.02.2010