The Planning Department has recommended the application for approval,with draft conditions requiring a three-year extension to 2025. The project was referred to the NSW Independent Planning Commission because it attracted more than 50 negative submissions.
The commission will hold a meeting on the proposal on Wednesday.
The silos,pictured in 1993,were painted with a mural to support Sydney’s bid for the 2000 Olympic Games. Now-defunct airline Ansett was one of the first advertisers on the billboard.Credit:Steve Christo
About 80 objections to the initial proposal,summarised by the commission,variously describe the billboards as “an eyesore”,“visually overbearing”,“tacky” and “horribly ugly”.
The Glebe Society raised concerns about light spilling into homes in the area,which is in the City of Sydney.
One resident said keeping the billboard,which is lit up from dusk to 1am,would have a “hugely negative health effect on the hundreds of residents whose bedroom windows face the illuminated signs”.
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Heritage NSW said extending the consent would not adversely affect the silos,nor the heritage-listed White Bay Power Station and Glebe Island Bridge.
In its response to submissions on the proposal,Eye Drive Sydney said it would request an extension for eight years – bringing it in line with the opening of the White Bay metro station in 2030.
A lighting report,commissioned by oOh!media,found the amount of light spread by the signs was “well within allowable limits”. A separate assessment said the billboard had a low visual impact.
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If the extension is approved,the company has agreed to switch the lights off two hours earlier at 11pm.
It will also pay the Inner West Council $127,000 a year for the length of the agreement to fund conservation works,an offer the company said would provide significant public benefit to help the council conserve heritage.
The council is not objecting to the eight-year extension.
The City of Sydney argued the signs weren’t compatible with plans to redevelop the Bays West area with offices,homes and public spaces,and said it would “compromise the future residential amenity of the precinct”.
The department is recommending the billboards only remain until 2025 to ensure the proposal does not “compromise the long-term vision for Bays West”.
An oOh!media spokesman declined to answer questions but said,“We fully respect the Independent Planning Commission process.”
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