This afternoon, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell released two reports: the Barangaroo Delivery Authority Board’s detailed response to the Barangaroo Review and the Peer Review of Remediation.

Mr O’Farrell said that the Barangaroo Board had provided him with its detailed response to the review and that he would endorse its recommendations.

Barangaroo has a very important task to contribute to enhancing Sydney as an international city, and this objective must be delivered.  Importantly, the response from the Barangaroo Delivery Authority includes measurable key performance indicators which will be reported to the Premier regularly.

The review response made eleven key recommendations in the six categories of:
1. Engagement with all of Sydney and NSW
2. Leadership and Governance
3. Transport and Infrastructure
4. Sustainability and Remediation
5. Sydney’s Public Waterfront
6. Design Excellence

These recommendations represent the key components of a comprehensive plan to successfully develop the Barangaroo precinct to meet community expectations and the clear economic, cultural and strategic objectives the Government has set for Barangaroo.

Also released today was an expert review of remediation plans for Barangaroo which finds assessment and planning for cleaning up the site’s historic contamination has been of a “consistently high standard”.

The report supports the findings of the Sussex and Penn Review “... that those responsible for the development of the site intend to remediate the site safely and in accordance with best practice.”

The NSW Government has accepted and will adopt the recommendations of the Peer Review Panel.

Click here to view the Premier’s media release
Click here to view the Board Response to the Barangaroo Review
Click here to view the Barangaroo Independent Remediation Review Panel Report

Around 14,000 people converged on Barangaroo to enjoy New Year’s Eve and watch uninterrupted views of one of the most spectacular fireworks displays ever seen on the harbour.

At just $15 a family it was undoubtedly the best value New Year’s Eve ticket in Sydney. The festivities commenced at 6.30pm and crowds were entertained by Sponge Bob Square Pants and Dora the Explorer along with a variety of other Nickelodeon characters.

There were licensed and non-licensed areas along with a range of food options and many families bought their own picnic to enjoy along the shoreline. Large screen televisions located throughout the site were a crowd favourite with many excited at seeing their image projected to thousands of people.  Special effect lighting projected onto the dramatic sandstone cliffs that are a feature of Barangaroo provided the perfect party backdrop as the sun set across the harbour.

The range of great entertainment helped families with small children enjoy their time at the site until the commencement of the 9pm fireworks.  It was the largest New Year’s Eve crowd seen on the site since event commenced in 2009 and the atmosphere was friendly, fun and very exciting for all ages.

A competition run in the lead up offered one lucky person and nine of their friends to welcome 2012 with the Ultimate New Year’s Eve event. A fully catered, private viewing deck was erected with spectacular views of the bridge and competition winner, Margaret Mudford from Cherrybrook and her family and friends enjoyed an unforgettable New Years Eve. “Words cannot describe how much we enjoyed our New Year’s Eve experience. It was truly a most memorable evening and we thank you for providing the opportunity “, said Margaret.

New Years Eve at Barangaroo was a huge success and reflected all the hallmarks of a fabulous, family friendly welcome to 2012.