Billion Dollar Views: Crown, Lendlease Win Legal Dispute with NSW

The New South Wales government has reached a settlement with Lendlease and Crown Resorts over the Barangaroo “sight lines” dispute, in a move that ensures uninterrupted harbour views for the waterfront billion dollar developments.

The parties agreed not to pursue any further legal action in relation to the matter, with the state government withdrawing its appeal of the NSW Supreme Court decision made late last year.

Judgement was delivered in favour of Crown in December 2018.

That ruling had found the NSW government’s Barangaroo Delivery Authority (BDA) had breached its development agreement by negotiating with bidders for the final stage of Barangaroo Central without consulting with Crown and Lendlease, as per contract, over developments that could potentially block Crown and Lendlease’s towers.

But in February this year, the BDA filed to appeal the judgment.

“The terms of the settlement are confidential,” Crown said in a statement.

“Crown is satisfied with the outcome of the settlement and the retention of the sight lines across Central Barangaroo from the Harbour Bridge to the Sydney Opera House.”

Crown said the $2.2 billion Hotel Resort, which was given final approval by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission in 2016, remains on track to deliver the new hotel by early 2021.

Infrastructure NSW has been leading negotiations on behalf of the NSW Government since the former Barangaroo Delivery Authority was abolished in July.

“This resolution between the parties clears the path for the government to work with all parties to complete the final buildings in Barangaroo South and deliver Central Barangaroo, the final stage in the Barangaroo development,” a spokesperson from Infrastructure NSW said.

Final plans for Central Barangaroo, expected to be completed in 2024, are yet to be released.