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First look at the Barangaroo landmark 450,000 oyster shells built

First look at the Barangaroo landmark 450,000 oyster shells built

The Minns government awarded the contract to build the structure to Stephen Edwards Constructions 13 months ago.
Reaching seven metres, the pavilion features 85 structural steel columns and a large oculus in the roof, which was designed to allow natural light to flood the structure.
The custom surface has been formed by mixing the recycled oyster shells with Australian marble chip, sand and cement to form a terrazzo cladding.
The material was designed to reflect the waterfront's maritime and cultural history as a source of cockles and oysters for the Gadigal people.
Nearly 2500 drought-tolerant native plants have been used to cover the 407-square-metre landscaped roof, which incorporates sandstone boulders and logs to provide wildlife habitats.
Infrastructure NSW's head of projects Bruno Zinghini touted the pavilion as a 'celebration of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability'; Stephen Edwards Constructions' managing director Mathew Edwards said the project would 'remain a cherished community asset for years to come'.
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Construction on the controversial final section of Barangaroo is expected to start this year after plans for the $2 billion-plus project were approved following more than two decades in limbo.
The Central Barangaroo mixed-use precinct will feature 150 apartments, a hotel, shops, offices and eateries in buildings up to 10 storeys above the metro station. Half the site will be a foreshore park.
Supporters said the approved proposal was a win for Sydney; critics said it would strip the foreshore of valuable public open space.
The first stage of Central Barangaroo is not due for completion until 2030.
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ASX higher on rate cut hopes; JB Hi-Fi falls
ASX higher on rate cut hopes; JB Hi-Fi falls

The Age

time9 hours ago

  • The Age

ASX higher on rate cut hopes; JB Hi-Fi falls

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Reserve Bank predicted to slash interest rates on Tuesday amid cooling inflation
Reserve Bank predicted to slash interest rates on Tuesday amid cooling inflation

7NEWS

time9 hours ago

  • 7NEWS

Reserve Bank predicted to slash interest rates on Tuesday amid cooling inflation

Markets are almost certain the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut interest rates at its August meeting despite the board facing an increasingly uncertain environment. Benign quarterly inflation figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in July should convince the board to cut the cash rate in a two-day meeting that started on Monday, AMP deputy chief economist Diana Mousina said. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today In fact, a cut of 25 basis points to 3.6 per cent should have happened already, Mousina declared. Mortgage holders will be hoping lightning doesn't strike twice after the central bank's board voted in a 6-3 decision to leave rates on hold in July, despite markets pricing in a near-certain chance of a cut. The majority of economists also expect a cut this time around, including 31 out of 34 experts surveyed by comparison website Finder. But with markets predicting another two cuts following this one, RBA governor Michele Bullock is likely to try to pare back expectations in her post-meeting communications after the meeting wraps up on Tuesday. 'We think that the RBA will still sound cautious on giving too much forward guidance and remain of the view that interest rates do not need to be aggressively cut for now, given their concern that upside inflation risks may occur again in Australia,' Mousina said. Another potential concern for Bullock could be developments at the US central bank. Mousina said we could be seeing the 'Trumpification' of the Federal Reserve after the US president 's appointment of ally Stephen Miran to replace departing governor Adriana Kugler. Miran's appointment heralds a more dovish Fed board, which could mean lower US interest rates if Donald Trump gets his way. 'Stephen Miran's appointment to the Federal Reserve board will likely increase pressure for deeper rate cuts while broadening concerns around Fed independence,' JP Morgan chief economist Bruce Kasman said. While the RBA has been more focused on domestic developments in recent months, the Fed's outsized influence on global borrowing costs can set the tone for international monetary policy. When the Fed cuts, central banks around the world have tended to follow. And a dovish turn could have consequences for the Australian dollar, investor expectations and the broader economy.

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