Construction starts on the NSW Government’s $2.5bn transformation of Darling Harbour Sydney’s new wo

By Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia, 30 May, 2014

Media release: 28 May 2014

Construction has started on Sydney’s new world class convention, exhibition and entertainment venues, part of the NSW Government’s $2.5bn transformation of Darling Harbour. Darling Harbour Live, comprising Lend Lease, HOSTPLUS, Capella Capital, AEG Ogden and Spotless, will deliver three new buildings, inviting public spaces and convenient pedestrian connections, all by the end of 2016.

General Manager, Darling Harbour Live, David Lovell said, “This is a major milestone in a significant infrastructure project for the State. We are thrilled to be entrusted with the responsibility to transform Darling Harbour to drive economic benefit, tourism and jobs growth in the NSW economy.”

International property and infrastructure group Lend Lease is providing 50 per cent of the equity funding for the project alongside industry superannuation fund HOSTPLUS. Capella Capital, Lend Lease’s infrastructure development business, is the project’s development and finance manager and Lend Lease is also undertaking design and construction management.

Managing Director of Lend Lease’s Building business, Murray Coleman, said, “We are delighted to be working with the State to revitalise 20 hectares of Darling Harbour. Lend Lease has proven experience in successfully delivering great places here in NSW and around the world. We will create world class venues, great public spaces and new parkland that will revitalise Darling Harbour and reconnect it into surrounding areas.

“Our Project team has done a terrific job in successfully demolishing the old buildings and preparing the site for construction. Safety is Lend Lease’s first priority and we have safely completed around 50,000 hours of work over the past six months. We have also achieved a positive sustainability outcome, exceeding our recycling target of 90 per cent of the demolition materials.

“We have regularly engaged with the local community and neighbouring businesses to keep them informed about site activity and to minimise any impacts of the demolition work. We would like to thank everyone for their support as we create these amazing new facilities for the people of Sydney.”

Construction of the venues will take around two years and create 1,600 jobs, with 10,000 workers to be inducted over the life of the project. The overall Darling Harbour redevelopment will provide 3,700 construction jobs and a further 4,000 jobs on completion.

“Darling Harbour Live will work closely with the NSW Government, Infrastructure NSW and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA), throughout the construction phase,” added Mr Lovell, “so that everyone can continue to enjoy Darling Harbour, particularly with the exciting line up of events that are planned by SHFA.”

Notes to Editors/COS: A video animation of the precinct, images of the new venues, and a Fact Sheet on the construction program are available at darlinghabourlive.com.au

ENDS

Further information – Iwona Polski, Communications Director, Darling Harbour Live, Lend Lease – 02 9237 5034

Source: Darling Harbour Live, Lend Lease