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Oxford Street Upgrade

Always Oxford Street BannerA Brief History of Oxford Street

(extract from ‘Street Seen – A History of Oxford Street’ by Clive Faro)

  • Before European Arrival: Local Indigenous people used a track where Oxford Street now stands, running toward South Head and Bondi Beach
  • Early 1800s: Oxford Street established as a track to the South Head signal station.
  • 1803: A sum of one hundred pounds approved to construct a 15 feet-wide road from Sydney to South Head.
  • 1811: The road structure is improved and sand surfacing allowed wheeled vehicles to get to South Head.
  • Early 1870s: The road became more built up and commercially focussed, with its lower section (near the City) being re-named Oxford Street.
  • 1910 to 1914: A dramatic widening of Oxford Street sees it become a well-regarded boulevard and there is also a reconstruction of buildings on the north side of the street
  • 2003: City of Sydney conducts an upgrade of Taylor Square.
  • 2005: City of Sydney’s magnificent $24 Million upgrade of the streetscape from Hyde Park to Taylor Square is completed in May.

Key Objectives of the $24 million Oxford Street Upgrade

  • To re-instate Oxford Street to its rightful place as one of Sydney’s most prominent streets and most delightful commercial boulevards.
  • To re-interpret Oxford Street as a contemporary heritage streetscape.
  • To re-invigorate trade in a street which had fallen into disrepair and had lost some its former appeal.

 

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Work Undertaken by the City of Sydney in its 2006 Upgrade

  • Oxford StreetImproved pedestrian amenity and access through widened granite paved footpaths, rationalised street furniture, new street tree plantings and clutter reduction.
  • Reconfiguration of intersections & removal of the College Street slip lane, reduction of the length of pedestrian crossings, an increase in width of bus lanes to enhance public transport and to improve cycle facilities, while still maintaining the vehicle capacity of Oxford Street.
  • Improved pedestrian safety by eliminating trip hazards, upgrading disability access, installing brighter street lighting and additional pedestrian crossing points and also the removal of the centre line median strip.
  • Upgrading utility services and providing duct lines beneath the footpath to allow for future amplification.
  • New street lighting in the form of state of the art Smartpoles
  • Refurbishment of awnings, rationalised under-awning signage and new under-awning lighting.

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Oxford Street – the next steps

From Hyde Park to Centennial Park, Oxford Street is moving into a new era as the City of Sydney works to revitalise the shopping strip, with more than $45 million in upgrades.

Oxford Street presents many opportunities for residents and visitors seeking a cultural experience, with iconic and distinctive bookstores, design shops, fashion outlets, cafés, restaurants, art house cinemas, markets, and stunning heritage buildings.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP, said the City is pursuing a range of projects in consultation with local businesses and residents to build on the beauty and charm of the area for residents, while attracting more visitors.

“Oxford Street Darlinghurst and Paddington, one of our City’s great streets, is on the verge of a major rebirth. We are building on the street’s international reputation as a gay and lesbian icon, a destination for quality and quirky shopping, and a place for dinner and entertainment. I invite everyone to rediscover the best that Sydney has to offer.”

An array of projects are underway to complete the strip's revitalisation and complement the City of Sydney’s 2006 streetscape upgrade, while retaining and enhancing the area’s distinctive, historic and eclectic character.

Further City of Sydney projects for Oxford Street and environs include:

  • Multi-million dollar refurbishment of the City's own properties with the establishment of a retail grocery, food and services centre between Riley and Crown Streets.
  • A makeover of Foley Street to create a distinctive and lively precinct, similar to Melbourne's reinvigorated inner city laneways.
  • A $5 million streetscape upgrade at the Paddington end of the strip, with improved footpaths, more trees and new street furniture.
  • Reworking of Taylor Square worth $200,000 to make it an inviting space, including finding a publicly accessible use for the old amenities block, investigating ways to integrate it with the green space of the historic Court House forecourts.
  • $5 million restoration of the historic Paddington Reservoir, with the Walter Read Reserve transformed into public parkland. Once restored, the reservoir provides an exciting opportunity for gallery space or cultural events in the underground chambers.
  • Completion of the $3.6 million Surry Hills “Harmony Park”, between Goulburn, Brisbane and Hunt Streets, one of the first new open spaces in the CBD in many decades.
  • A $1.5 million upgrade of Barcom Avenue Park to improve lighting, seating, planting and path layouts while increasing the size of the park.
  • Seven new closed circuit television cameras improving safety on Oxford Street in response to requests from Police, residents and businesses.
  • A $400,000 upgrade for the local pocket park, Marshall Street Reserve, adjacent the Academy Twin Cinema.
  • An $11 million dollar restoration and upgrading of Heffron Hall and the Burton Street Tabernacle as a community and cultural hub.
  • The world famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, which showcases Oxford Street annually, supported through $200,000 cash and in-kind contributions.

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Before & After Images

 

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Downloads

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For More Information

Public Enquiries

Project Manager

Allan Saxby
Tel: 02 9265 9055
Email: asaxby@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Business Enquiries

Andrew Jackson
Tel: 02 9265 9569
Email: ajackson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

 

 

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Please Note:
While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the City of Sydney cannot guarantee that information expressed here is correct and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. The City of Sydney makes no warranty or undertaking, whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect.