Portman Street south upgrade

What we’re doing

The area is near our new community and cultural facilities, between Geddes Avenue and the future Sonny Leonard Street.

The work will prevent vehicles using it as a ‘rat run’ and improve traffic movement around the Green Square town centre. It includes an overall street upgrade with new footpaths, bike paths, gardens and trees to make walking and riding easier. 

Proposed traffic and parking changes

The proposal includes a number of changes to Portman Street:

• introducing 1-way southbound travel for vehicles on Portman Street, from Geddes Avenue to the future Sonny Leonard Street
• traffic lights at the intersection of Portman Street and Geddes Avenue
• a stop sign at the intersection of Portman Street and Sonny Leonard Street
• a 2 hour parking limit for 26 parking spaces along the upgraded section of Portman Street
• a mobility parking space and a drop-off zone for the Waranara Early Education Centre
• improved footpaths, a new 2-way cycleway, new street furniture and smart poles, and new garden beds.  

We need to remove the small trees along this section of Portman Street to install new underground electrical lines. These will be replaced with eucalyptus trees that will increase the street canopy cover. 

Creating a new Zetland Avenue

While working on Portman Street, we will also work on the new Zetland Avenue. 

Our proposal is to build the western section of Zetland Avenue, between Portman and Paul streets, at the same time as the work on Portman Street south.

Zetland Avenue will be a new 36-metre-wide tree-lined boulevard for pedestrians, bikes, vehicles and, we hope, light rail – if we can secure NSW Government commitment for this public transport improvement.

The western section of Zetland Avenue and the upgraded southern section of Portman Street are expected to open at the same time in 2019. 

Replacing trees along these streets

To build the new cycleway and install new services under the footpath, we will replace the small trees along Portman Street south with eucalyptus trees. Having services underground means we will have more space for tall trees which were not allowed before because of height restrictions around electrical poles and wires.

The western section of Zetland Avenue will feature new, large-sized Australian kauri pines and Japanese zelkova. Many of the new trees have been growing for more than 4 years in preparation for the development of the Green Square town centre. These mature trees will make an immediate impact on the new boulevard when it opens in 2019. 

How you can give feedback

You can view our draft plans and: 

• make a submission to [email protected]
• come along to our pop-up event at Matron Ruby Grant Park on Saturday 18 August 2018, 11am to 1pm
• share this project with your family and friends.   

Consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 3 September 2018.

Submissions may be made available to the public if the City receives a request under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.

We will review all submissions and report to the Local Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee at its meeting at 2pm on 15 November 2018, Town Hall Council Chamber, 483 George Street, Sydney.

Committee reports are available after 5pm on the Thursday before the meeting.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and address the committee. Please contact Claudia Calabro to register by 5pm on Monday 12 November. Email [email protected] or call 02 9265 9648.

For more information, please contact Dean Arnold, Design Manager on 02 9265 9333 or email [email protected].