City transformation

City transformation

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Keeping Sydney moving: Planning is key

Every day 1.3 million people are in the City of Sydney area to live, work, study, do business, shop and go out. This number will continue to grow. Some areas in the City of Sydney will double in population in the next 20 years. To cope with this extraordinary growth, Sydney’s transport network is undergoing major changes.

A series of transport infrastructure projects are being provided by the NSW Government including:

  • light rail from Circular Quay to Kingsford and Randwick
  • a new bus network with priority city centre routes (completed)
  • major upgrades to key city centre train stations
  • the Wynyard Walk pedestrian link to Barangaroo (completed)
  • the Barangaroo Ferry Hub (completed)
  • the construction of Sydney Metro and a new harbour tunnel
  • the first separated cycleway with a continuous connection from the north to the south of the city centre.

These developments will have an impact on everyone who lives, works and travels in the city centre, however by planning you can play a role in keeping Sydney moving.

For full details go to mysydney.nsw.gov.au

 

Sydney's main street

The City of Sydney is working to unlock the city centre’s potential to become a more attractive, vibrant and connected place to live, work and visit.

Light rail and creating areas for people to walk on George Street plays a crucial part to improve city amenity. 

Benefits of city transformation

Community consultation on our vision for George Street highlighted a desire for a well-designed, attractive plaza lined with trees, street furniture and public art. Along with:

  • high level support to remove buses and install light rail to improve access for people walking
  • excitement about George Street becoming a new destination to meet, socialise, dine and shop
  • support for a visually attractive 'wire-free' light rail system in areas where people walk
  • using trees and public art to create a sense of space along what will become Sydney's major boulevard.

The City is also planning to improve major public squares at Town Hall and Circular Quay, with a new square at Railway Square, Central station.

City transformation projects

George Street works

George Street is undergoing one of the biggest transformations ever seen in Sydney. With a new light rail service and a zone for people to walk, the revamped street will become an easy way to travel between key attractions from the harbour through the city centre to Chinatown. 

Light rail

The new CBD and South East Light Rail will travel from Circular Quay along George Street to Central station and on to Moore Park, then to Kingsford via Anzac Parade and Randwick via Alison Road and High Street.

Buses and cycleways

The NSW Government's city centre access strategy outlines how it plans to better integrate Sydney's transport modes through the city centre.

Sydney Metro

When Sydney Metro is extended into the city centre and beyond in 2024, metro rail will run from Sydney’s booming northwest region under Sydney Harbour, through new underground stations in the city centre and beyond to the southwest.

City centre public art

Public art will play a major role in the city transformation. The first work under the city centre public art plan, Tracey Emin's The Distance of Your Heart, was unveiled in 2018.

Community information

You can stay up-to-date on light rail construction works through the NSW Government's local community and business forums.

Last updated: Monday, 1 April 2019