New public spaces, green avenues, slow streets, revitalised laneways and a Pitt Street promenade are among new City of Sydney public domain projects set to rejuvenate the city centre, support businesses and create a post-pandemic destination city.
Three public domain plans were last night approved unanimously by Council, covering the Town Hall, City South and Chinatown precincts – along with a shortlist of projects ready to be delivered.
Among the priority projects ready to get underway are a $5 million infrastructure investment in the historic Chinatown precinct and a $10 million upgrade of Belmore Park near Central station.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the ambitious public domain plans build on the City’s success in transforming the CBD, street by street.
“The work the City has done on George Street is transformational. Long gone are the conga-lines of buses on the clogged city street, replaced instead by light rail and a beautiful tree-lined pedestrian boulevard right through the centre of our City,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We’re now well underway in extending that pedestrianisation on George Street between Town Hall and Central, to provide even more space for people to walk, dine outdoors and enjoy busking and activations.
“These plans for Town Hall, the City’s south and Chinatown are our blueprint for creating the next set of wonderful new and renewed public spaces in critical locations.
“We’re prioritising walking, bike riding and public transport through these areas, so we can return space to people, give businesses more room to operate outdoors and green our city with more tree cover and plantings.
“We first outlined our vision for a lively and engaging city centre in our Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan. The pandemic has showed just how important our public spaces in the heart of our city are to provide solace, as well as room to move, meet with friends and dine outdoors.
“As we accelerate our plans to create a more connected and walkable city, the importance of seizing every opportunity to create new public spaces is at the front of mind.
“None of this work will happen overnight, but these plans will guide how the City, State Government and building owners can align our investment and make the most of opportunities to transform our City as they arise in the coming years.”
Over the next six months, the City of Sydney will work on detailed scoping, design and feasibility studies for a range of projects for the short, medium and long term. The three public domain plans are:
Chinatown public domain plan
This plan has initiated numerous public place investments in Chinatown since 2010, with a large-scale transformation of the Haymarket area through the $43.5 million George Street south pedestrianisation project.
We’ve transformed Thomas Street in Haymarket into a people-friendly walkway and public space, with more trees, lighting, seating and an artwork.
The successful upgrade of Little Hay Street, Factory Street and Kimber Lane in 2012 included laneway artwork, widened footpaths, more street trees and shade to create a more welcoming environment for people.
The City of Sydney has now committed a further $5 million for Chinatown improvements. Dixon Street Mall will be revived, with plans for new seating and lighting, and a refurbishment of the famed Dixon Street gates.
On Quay Street, there are plans
