Name: Barangaroo event space nears completion ahead of 2026 opening
Uploaded: 2025-10-22T06:20:01.985Z
Duration: 2 min 6 s
Description: A state-of-the-art event space in Barangaroo marked a major milestone ahead of its 2026 opening date. Though the Premier was celebrating, debate continues in parliament over pokies reform.

A state-of-the-art event space in Barangaroo marked a major milestone ahead of its 2026 opening date. Though the Premier was celebrating, debate continues in parliament over pokies reform.

Barangaroo

The Barangaroo development in Sydney is approaching completion, transforming a large underground area into a new event space. The venue features design elements by First Nations artists and includes a grand hall with innovative acoustic features, set to host major festivals and events when it opens.

Separately, political discussions are ongoing regarding poker machine operating hours in New South Wales. The Greens have introduced a bill to extend mandatory shutdown hours for pokies, but the proposal faces opposition from the government and a split within the coalition. The government has indicated that some changes to gaming regulations may still be considered.

Barangaroo event space nears completion ahead of 2026 opening

Escaping the heat above ground, the Premier today toured beneath Barangaroo. And it's almost complete. Months of construction has turned what was a vast concrete cutaway into an event space that sings. They've delivered a space that's on par with the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and our iconic harbour. Key to the design, First Nations artists. Shannon Foster and Jake Nash, who've also worked with us to create a place that is meaningful. Vivid and Sydney Festival, the sorts of events which will take place here when it opens early next year. Those early events, some of those key festivals are already locked in, ready to go. The fit out includes a grand hall and other event spaces split across two levels. One of the most striking aspects, however, these timber sculptures inspired by the Port Jackson fig. Behind the beauty of these timber trees is clever acoustic design with perforated plywood panels and insulation hidden among the branches to help absorb sound throughout this enormous space. But others are pushing to quieten down another part of Sydney's night-time economy. By law, pokies must be switched off between four and 10am, but almost 700 clubs and hotels around the state hold exemptions. The Greens introducing a bill to scrap them and extend the mandatory shutdown to start at midnight. This should be a consensus move, really. It's not controversial. People need a break from pokies. It's that simple. After championing cashless gaming at the last election, the coalition is reportedly split on the idea. The Liberals for, Nationals against. But that could be irrelevant, with the government likely to reject it. It is not the answer to this issue. What it will do is it will bring back the days of the lockout laws. It will destroy hundreds and hundreds of jobs in the state. But not all bets are off. The government says some changes are on the cards. Tallulah Thompson, 10 News.

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