Public Domain & Amenity

Greening our City

The City is constantly working towards greener, more beautiful public spaces. 5,000 new street trees have been planted, traffic islands and public gardens have been landscaped and “Living Colour” flower displays extended to more locations each year. The program to unclutter our streets has so far removed 3,400 unnecessary signs.

 

Promoting City Amenity

To improve residential amenity, the City has adopted guidelines for backpacker/tourist accommodation, adult entertainment and sex services.

The Director of Liquor and Gaming now has strong powers to work with Council to reduce anti-social behaviour from pubs and other entertainment venues. The new laws complement our Late Night Trading Development Control Plan which requires venues to minimise community impacts.

And Planning for the Future

Our new City Plan will update and strengthen the City’s planning,development and heritage controls – the most detailed work of its kind in NSW.

And our Design and Public Art Advisory Panels enhance the quality of our public spaces and projects. At Green Square we have kickstarted the renewal project with exciting public domain designs and plans for a library, community facilities and for the southern area pool and leisure facilities.

Image: Artist impression of Green Square

 

Transport Planning

During consultation for Sustainable Sydney 2030, 97 per cent of people said they want the City to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including better public transport and safer cycling and walking.

We have a city transport strategy, incorporating light rail mass transport, which has been presented to the Government. To fill public transport gaps, we fund two free community shuttle busservices, running Redfern to Glebe and Redfern to Woolloomooloo.

The City introduced a parking permit system to encourage greener vehicles and is providing up to 90 spaces for car share. Traffic improvements are underway, following the development of Local Area Traffic and Pedestrian Plans for Glebe, Forest Lodge, Redfern, Zetland and City East, and with consultation underway for Surry Hills.

Protecting our Heritage

Our new Heritage Development Control Plan establishes new conservation areas and refines heritage listings. Our Heritage Grants provide financial assistance to owners of heritage buildings. Extensive restoration work on our own heritage buildings includes Customs House, Bellevue Villa in Glebe, Darlinghurst’s Burton Street Tabernacle, Paddington Reservoir and the iconic Sydney Town Hall.

Image: Bellevue Villa, Glebe

Cycling and Walking

The City’s planned 200 kilometre cycling networkwill include 55 kilometres of separated cycleways. Work has begun on the first separated cycleway along King Street in the CBD, with consultation underway on routes to access the city. An initial $35 million has been allocated.

Danish urban expert Professor Jan Gehlrecommended reclaiming George Street for pedestrians, with three new civic  squares and revitalised laneways to strike a balance between people, vehicles and bicycles. Elsewhere, we do extensive footpath upgrades in the CBD, retail precincts and in the villages, including the installation of new kerb ramps to improve accessibility.

Image: Artist impression of King Street cycleway