Inner East
The communities around Centennial and Moore Parks: Redfern East, Surry Hills, South and West Paddington, Centennial Park and the southern fringe of Darlinghurst.
Localities: Strawberry Hills
Local Action Plan
Download the Local Action Plan here as a PDF document.
- Local Action Plan Inner East | PDF 240Kb
About Inner East
The people of the Inner East enjoy Centennial and Moore Parks on one side, with the vitality of the CBD on the other. These communities are diverse and distinctive, including heritage homes and public housing; a significant Chinese population and strong gay community; with many short-term renters and long-time residents.
Surry Hills underwent a transformation through the last decades of the 20th century, adding contemporary apartments to historic terraces. The conversion of Crown Street from a fast one-way street to the village main street has provided a heart for the area, now popular with professionals, families and baby boomers. It is a destination for international “foodies”, with Crown Street hosting headline establishments. Prince Alfred Park, Shannon Reserve and Ward Park are enjoyed by residents, particularly Northcott Department of Housing residents. West of Riley Street, the traditional rag trade now has more wholesale outlets than manufacturing.The area is a new hub for media, design and professional services. Converted warehouses and terraces provide professional offices with a funky alternative to traditional CBD office space. The local community values the existing character and isn’t looking for major changes.
East Redfern is a lively residential neighbourhood, similar to neighbouring Surry Hills. It retains much of its historic architecture while gaining contemporary apartments. The Edmund Resch Reserve and pedestrian crossing to Moore Park provide an important community focus. Just a short walk away are the shops and restaurants of Crown and Cleveland Streets, and the new Danks Street arts and eating precinct.
South Darlinghurst, home to mainly large apartment buildings, is described by the community as a central, tolerant inner urban, gay and lesbian village. Residents enjoy all that Oxford Street offers in cinemas, bars and cafes. This is a community with a strong voice and a creative bohemian edge.
Paddington is divided by council boundaries. South and West Paddington, in the City of Sydney, maintain the distinctive Paddington character of friendly communities, the splendour of heritage terraces and leafy tree-lined streets. These strong communities quickly mobilise to defend their neighbourhood, heritage and amenity. They value all the area has to offer, including the cultural life, cinemas and bookshops of Oxford Street; as well as the grass and trees of Moore and Centennial Parks, as a place to exercise, walk or take the dog.
Centennial Park, carved off from the parklands in 1905 to fund park development, is a unique garden suburb. Residents cherish the grandeur of the Victorian and Edwardian mansions that overlook Centennial Park, forming a unique streetscape in the City. Although local action in the 1970s protested high-rise flats in Cook Road, these residents are now integral to the community and value the parks’ proximity. The suburb is mainly residential, without a retail main street, and the community values the proximity of Oxford Street, the CBD, and Bondi Junction.
Shared Community Values
As a result of Council’s review of the material gathered during the consultation process, shared community values have been developed as a framework for the long-term action for the Inner East. Below is a snapshot of your values, aspirations and some suggested ideas reflecting them.
Diversity of community
“An eclectic mix of people, families, kids, couples, wealthy, poor,
arty, academic, professional and trades.”
- Improve programs for the young and old in the community, such as community gardens and mentoring
- Events to celebrate the diversity and creativity of the local people
- Bring residents together to build friendly neighbourhoods
- Support responsible pet ownership through education programs and facilities in the parks
Celebrating heritage and community stories
“The terrace houses should be protected and the little streets with an old Sydney feel.”
- Expand the City’s program of historical significance through the heritage, public art and walking trail strategy
- Expand the City’s program of heritage and interpretative signage, plaques and public art.
Green streets and village greens
“There are many open spaces to choose from for passive
recreation.”
- Upgrade and care for the area’s parks and gardens
- Activities at Prince Alfred Park, Shannon Reserve, Ward Park and Edmund Resch
Reserve to build community. - Introduce street planting on verges and in planters
- Better community gathering places
Community and cultural partnerships
“It’s a culture that is rather funky, hip and urbane with respect to various, ethnic, religious, non religious and sexual orientations.”
- Support of GLBTQ enterprises, organisations and initiatives
- Youth engagement strategy
- Economic development strategies
People before cars
“We moved here to be able to reduce cars by one, walk to work
rather than bus two hours a day.”
- Improved bus services, with a shuttle bus for residents to Central Station and the CBD.
- Lighting and footpath improvements
- Safer and better connected cycle routes
- Better manage traffic, parking, speed limits and noise around major event destinations
- Improving pedestrian links to Centennial and Moore Parks and the City.
Downloads
- Inner East Community Forum July 2009 | PDF 25Mb
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Last Updated: Friday 17 July, 2009
