Objections to loss of Royal Botanic Gardens green space to halt Art Gallery of NSW expansion?

Almost three quarters of respondents to plans for the Art Gallery of NSW’s proposed $344 million expansion project have objected to the proposal.

Set to occupy 1.87 hectares of the adjacent Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, many of the angriest reactions are about the loss of green space.

Undertaking consultation with key stakeholders and the community, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment received 178 objections to the project and 63 statements of support.

The Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens’ submission objected to the Sydney Modern’s appropriation of green space owned by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, advising “the community clearly appreciates green space.”

The Foundation’s submission noted that the Royal Botanic Gardens had won the Major Attraction Award at the 2017 NSW Tourism Awards, beating the AGNSW, Bridge Climb and the Opera House.

Last financial year 5.2 million people visited the Royal Botanic Gardens while 1.4 million visited the gallery.

Other objections to the Sydney Modern came from individuals.

Leading jurist Elizabeth Evatt wrote that the Sydney Modern would cause “too great a loss of green space”, adding “the need for an extensive new building in the city has not been made in a convincing manner.”

Other complainants including prominent architect Andrew Andersons said the Cutaway at Barangaroo would be an ideal alternative location for the gallery’s new building and would cost much less.

Architect David Chesterman criticised the “extreme and intrusive contrast” between the original sandstone building and the proposed new building, and said the extension would block harbour views from the existing gallery.

In 2013, Art Gallery of NSW Director Dr Michael Brand announced his intention to build Sydney Modern, promoting the expanded venue as essential for the future health of Sydney’s cultural life.

Brand and his executive team have aimed to have the new building completed for the 150th anniversary of the gallery in 2021.

A spokesman for the NSW Department of Planning and Environment said the Gallery would now prepare a Response to Submissions Report for the Department to consider as part of its assessment.

The NSW Government has announced funding of $244 million towards the project with the Gallery is to raise the final $100 million. Currently it has sourced $88 million in donations.

Images: Artist’s impressions of the Sydney Modern Project show how it would extend into the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Courtesy of Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA.

30th August 2017 - ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN SYDNEY’S 200 YEARS AND STILL GROWING CAMPAIGN RECOGNISED FOR EXCELLENCE

20th June 2017 - SYDNEY MODERN PROJECT RECEIVES $20 MILLION DONATION

14th June 2017 - ART GALLERY OF NSW GETS $244 MILLION FUNDING FOR SYDNEY MODERN EXPANSION 

11th June 2017 - LANDMARK UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY MUSEUM GETS THE GO AHEAD 

8th May 2017 - SYDNEY’S THE CALYX TO HOST AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST INDOOR ‘GREEN WALL’ 

21st April 2017 - UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR ART GALLERY OF NSW DIRECTOR MICHAEL BRAND

18th January 2017 - SYDNEY’S TOP EXHIBITIONS AND ART EVENTS STAYING UP LATE

13th June 2016 - ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN SYDNEY CELEBRATES 200 YEARS WITH NEW EXHIBITION CENTRE OPENING

24th February 2016 - FORMER NEWCASTLE ART GALLERY DIRECTOR BOUNCES BACK AT ART GALLERY SOCIETY OF NSW

14th December 2015 - NEW PUBLICATION CHARTS THE HISTORY OF ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN SYDNEY

6th December 2015 - SYDNEY ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS TO OPEN ‘CATHEDRAL OF PLANTS’ IN ITS BICENTENARY YEAR

7th October 2015 - FREE CHILD ENTRY DRIVES RISE IN HOLIDAY VISITS TO SYDNEY MUSEUMS

27th May 2015 - ART GALLERY OF NSW REVEALS WINNERS OF DESIGN PROJECT FOR $450 MILLION EXTENSION

18th January 2015 - NSW CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS FAIL WORKPLACE DIVERSITY TARGETS 

29th November 2013 - NSW GOVERNMENT REPORT FINDS STATEWIDE LOSS OF PARKS AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE