Once prime minister, now prime meddler
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday September 21, 2009
The intrusion of a non-qualified former politician into a design issue is inappropriate on many levels, of which one is most pertinent ("Storming the headland", September 19-20). It is apparent Paul Keating is forcing his own scheme via the back door to override a transparent process that resulted in a design scheme worthy of its selection as winner.The €śunanimous€ť decision, itself a paradox, was decided by a jury of which he chose to be a member, yet this authoritarian mallet is forcing his own lazy, under-credentialled scheme onto the public. If he gets his way, the result yet again will continue the non-democratic political interference of the preceding 200 years.Mark Gerstl Dover HeightsLet us not forget that this is yet another land grab by the Department of Planning of a project that rightly belongs in the hands of City of Sydney Council. Nor that Paul Keating has not been an elected official for more than a decade.It is clear from the illustrations provided with the article that the competition-winning scheme sought to provide a range of spaces and places for this massive area, to mix it up in terms of scale and uses, in true urban fashion.Why deny the industrial history of the harbour? Why deny this is part of a city, not a suburban office park?Keating is the bully in the sandbox, presenting no clear rationale for his vision and taking cheap shots at architects who have spoken out to their own professional detriment. He should take his own advice and retire to a rocking chair with a blanket over his knees.Carol Marra DarlingtonVery few, if any, of the world's famous urban landmark features were made by obstinate regression to the way things were. A designer's hand provided the magic.The Barangaroo green areas, without some carefully chosen and controlled uses at or near the waterfront to attract people, will be like another Domain €“ places that wise and law-abiding citizens shun except during daylight.Colin Booth NarrabeenSometimes we are given an opportunity to do something that seems beyond our capabilities, so we play safe and settle for something nice enough. The Opera House has shown us what can happen when we have the guts and the will to look at the big picture and go for it.Keating is right; the Barangaroo site needs curves, partly because the straight line is an assault on nature but also because it will echo Utzon's Opera House curves and create a symmetry between the sites.Most of Philip Thalis's arguments were also used against the building of the Opera House. The outside shell is a triumph because one man had a vision, the inside is forever unsatisfactory because the new architect tried to please everyone.Let's not make that mistakethis time. Give the job to somebody who is not afraid to move mountains.Denise Davies BalmainThe further I read, the more incensed I became. How can one man be allowed to squander Sydney's best chance to add new life to the CBD, over the objections of learned architects appointed in an open competition?Enoch Lau Panania
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald