AMP Capital has asked City of Ryde Council to put on hold the centre’s $195 million development application while there is further community consultation about the proposal including the Macquarie Ice Rink. AMP Capital, which manages Macquarie Centre on behalf of investors, recently submitted a development application for the centre after consulting with a range of stakeholders, including the Ice Rink operator. The news of Macquarie’s Ice Rink closure has generated many media reports over the last couple of weeks.
In late 2014, the centre opened a major redevelopment making it 12th largest centre in Australia with a GLA of 135,514m2 (2018 Big Guns report). The centre opened to overwhelming feedback and the community continue to call Macquarie Centre their ‘local’. Located in the heart of Sydney’s north with a strong population growth and with the neighbouring Business Park and University it makes sense to enhance the centre’s offering.
In November 2016, The City of Ryde Council welcomed the Joint Regional Planning Panel’s (JRPP) decision to approve a development concept plan that includes provision for 5,000m2 of dedicated community space. This concept included towers that were adjoining Macquarie Centre, potentially for residential or office use. Macquarie Centre is an integral part of the NSW government’s metropolitan strategic plan for Macquarie Park as a major generator of economic growth- a major business park, retail and residential centre in the centre of Sydney.
Macquarie Centre, a new place for dining and entertainment
AMP Capital recently submitted a $195 million development application (Stage 2) for the centre after consulting with a range of stakeholders, including the ice rink operator. The DA submitted to the The City of Ryde Council was focused solely on establishing Macquarie Centre as a shopping and entertainment destination which included links to the train station and creating a public plaza.
The development application included:
• construction of a new retail podium, basement parking and additional roof deck parking along Talavera Road;
• creation of Station Plaza, and a new publicly accessible civic space;
• landscaping and public domain improvements;
• new pedestrian access points;
• removal of one vehicular crossover; and
• 480 additional car parking spaces.
Key benefits to shoppers, local residents and commuters include:
• expanding night time dining and leisure activities;
• delivering a vibrant and activated pedestrian experience;
• attracting new and exciting leisure and entertainment stores;
• offering a showcase for innovative flagship retail;
• increasing the key connections between the centre and the train station, Macquarie University and bus interchange;
• a flexible floor plate that can accommodate a wide variety of entertainment activities including a recreational sized ice rink;
• creating a central, publicly accessible location for community events;
• incorporating best practice sustainability features, including solar energy, water recycling and passive cooling; and
• providing a ‘landmark front door’.
Macquarie Centre, new facade
As part of the development AMP Capital had proposed a smaller recreational ice-rink in addition to improved food, dining and entertainment offerings, community facilities as well as additional retail. For many years AMP Capital has been in discussion with the ice-rink operator prior to the DA being submitted to accommodate an ice-rink facility.
To further consult with the community, a move was made by AMP Capital to put the current DA on hold.
Macquarie Ice Rink
AMP Capital Shopping Centres Managing Director Mark Kirkland said that listening to the Macquarie Centre community has always been the key priority.
“Our community, customers and retailers are important to us and we have listened to them. We acknowledge the outpouring of support for the ice rink and the special place it has for many. While we had undertaken research with a broad segment of the community in drafting the proposed plans and engaged widely on the Concept Plan in 2016, it is clear that we need to take more time to engage with those who love the centre and incorporate their feedback into the next stage of the development.
“We want Sydney-siders to enjoy Macquarie Centre’s unique leisure and entertainment attractions for years to come. We also want to create public spaces which embrace our diverse community, provide much-needed night life, while at the same time directly connect the centre to public transport. We welcome all feedback on the proposal so Macquarie Centre can continue to best serve its customers and the community as a premier shopping and entertainment destination.” said Kirkland
Following the latest Stage 2 DA submission to the City of Ryde Council, a number of petitions were launched against the closure of the ice-rink. A Change.org petition has reached nearly 30,000 signatories. Local politicians, Ryde Mayor Jerome Laxale as well as local member for Ryde, NSW Finance Minister Victor Dominello started petitions to save the ice-rink.
