Making a Difference One Event at a Time: How The Cutaway Sets a New Standard for Sustainable Event Delivery
As the demand for environmentally responsible events continues to grow, The Cutaway at Barangaroo stands out as one of Australia’s most forward‑thinking venues. Designed from the ground up to minimise environmental footprint while maximising community value, The Cutaway offers organisers a rare opportunity to host extraordinary events that genuinely don’t cost the earth.
A Natural Extension of ICC Sydney’s CSR Leadership
At ICC Sydney, sustainability is a foundational principle. Through our award‑winning CSR program, we champion environmental stewardship, community connection, respect for First Nations people and responsible procurement. The Cutaway strengthens this commitment, offering organisers a distinctive venue where their sustainability ambitions can be realised without compromise.
Events That Leave a Legacy
From the National Indigenous Art Fair to the Blak Markets and to Sydney Festival, exhibitions, corporate launches and creative showcases, The Cutaway is designed for events that make a difference when delivering purposeful events that positively impact people and the planet.
For clients seeking to reduce their environmental footprint, enhance social impact and deliver meaningful experiences, The Cutaway offers a rare opportunity: a world class venue that is backed by a foundation of Corporate Social Responsibility best practices and green infrastructure design and credentials.
If you’re ready to design an event with purpose, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
1. Connection to Country
First Nations design consultants shaped the building’s architecture, materials and cultural expression. The sculptural timber trees reference the Damun (Port Jackson Fig), while curved interior walls echo giba gunya rock shelters. Interior fabrics and furniture were sourced exclusively from Aboriginal businesses, representing more than A$5 million in First Nations procurement.
2. Powered by 100% Renewable Energy
The Cutaway operates entirely on 100% renewable energy, supported by a precinct‑wide 25‑year Green Product Purchase Agreement. This commitment makes day‑to‑day operations as close as possible to carbon neutral and ensures every event benefits from a low‑carbon foundation.
Energy‑efficient systems further reduce demand, including:
- water‑cooled heat recovery providing free heating during cooling
- seawater cooling and heating systems
- CO₂ and demand‑based air handling
- EC fan motors for low‑load efficiency
- assisted natural ventilation when mechanical systems aren’t required
The venue’s natural sandstone cavern and the landscaped Barangaroo Reserve above provide passive thermal stability, reducing cooling loads and improving resilience during extreme weather.
Smart building systems — including motion and daylight sensors and occupancy‑responsive ventilation — optimise performance in low‑energy modes without compromising comfort.