North Sydney CBD Public Domain Strategy - Stage 2

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Consultation has concluded

Submissions closed 22 June 2020. Strategy adopted by Council 28 September 2020.

Council is working to create a more engaging and pedestrian focused CBD that offers a greater range of activities and unique public spaces for workers, residents, students and visitors. As part of this work, Council has developed the CBD Public Domain Strategy, (available in the Document Library - Post Exhibition). It will inform and guide any public domain works across the North Sydney CBD.

The Stage 1 Place Book outlined ideas and opportunities for the CBD and was endorsed by Council in May 2019 (available in the Document Library - Post Exhibition, see Related Projects for further information.

Stage 2 developed these ideas further and identifies a range of projects that will create a strong, connected network of public urban spaces in the CBD and outlines a timeline and framework to deliver these projects. Specifically, the strategy:

  • Outlines a vision and a series of urban design goals for the CBD
  • Recognises necessary access improvements that prioritise walking, public transport and cycling and moves regional traffic away from the centre
  • Establishes a strong pedestrian corridor from North Sydney Train Station to St Leonards Park and a series of east-west laneway connections
  • Identifies opportunities for new and upgraded public space within the CBD
  • Outlines the process, timeline, and funding arrangements to deliver the specified projects

The strategy identifies 19 projects that:

  • reinforce Miller Street as the main, civic spine of North Sydney
  • deliver over 17,000m2 of new parks and plazas
  • create a new and upgraded network of laneways and improve pedestrian safety and amenity within the CBD

Key projects include:

  • Miller Place: A new 7,450m2 public plaza outside the Victoria Cross Metro Station achieved through the closure of Miller Street between Berry Street and the Pacific Highway
  • Post Office Square: An intimate, new 1,675m2 plaza outside the iconic North Sydney Post Office
  • Tramway Park: Converting the under-utilised deck of the tramway viaduct near North Sydney Train Station into a 4,650m2 active recreation space
  • Central Laneways: Turning Denison, Mount, Hill, Spring and Little Spring Streets into pedestrian areas or shared zones
  • Warringah Land Bridge: An ambitious, long-term project that reconnects North Sydney over the Warringah Freeway and reclaims unused space for the community

Further information and updates are available on Council's website.

For further information contact Pedro Garcia, Senior Strategic Planner on (02) 9936 8100.

Submissions closed 22 June 2020. Strategy adopted by Council 28 September 2020.

Council is working to create a more engaging and pedestrian focused CBD that offers a greater range of activities and unique public spaces for workers, residents, students and visitors. As part of this work, Council has developed the CBD Public Domain Strategy, (available in the Document Library - Post Exhibition). It will inform and guide any public domain works across the North Sydney CBD.

The Stage 1 Place Book outlined ideas and opportunities for the CBD and was endorsed by Council in May 2019 (available in the Document Library - Post Exhibition, see Related Projects for further information.

Stage 2 developed these ideas further and identifies a range of projects that will create a strong, connected network of public urban spaces in the CBD and outlines a timeline and framework to deliver these projects. Specifically, the strategy:

  • Outlines a vision and a series of urban design goals for the CBD
  • Recognises necessary access improvements that prioritise walking, public transport and cycling and moves regional traffic away from the centre
  • Establishes a strong pedestrian corridor from North Sydney Train Station to St Leonards Park and a series of east-west laneway connections
  • Identifies opportunities for new and upgraded public space within the CBD
  • Outlines the process, timeline, and funding arrangements to deliver the specified projects

The strategy identifies 19 projects that:

  • reinforce Miller Street as the main, civic spine of North Sydney
  • deliver over 17,000m2 of new parks and plazas
  • create a new and upgraded network of laneways and improve pedestrian safety and amenity within the CBD

Key projects include:

  • Miller Place: A new 7,450m2 public plaza outside the Victoria Cross Metro Station achieved through the closure of Miller Street between Berry Street and the Pacific Highway
  • Post Office Square: An intimate, new 1,675m2 plaza outside the iconic North Sydney Post Office
  • Tramway Park: Converting the under-utilised deck of the tramway viaduct near North Sydney Train Station into a 4,650m2 active recreation space
  • Central Laneways: Turning Denison, Mount, Hill, Spring and Little Spring Streets into pedestrian areas or shared zones
  • Warringah Land Bridge: An ambitious, long-term project that reconnects North Sydney over the Warringah Freeway and reclaims unused space for the community

Further information and updates are available on Council's website.

For further information contact Pedro Garcia, Senior Strategic Planner on (02) 9936 8100.

Consultation has concluded
  • Share How does the NSW Government’s Western Harbour Tunnel affect Council’s plans for the CBD? on Facebook Share How does the NSW Government’s Western Harbour Tunnel affect Council’s plans for the CBD? on Twitter Share How does the NSW Government’s Western Harbour Tunnel affect Council’s plans for the CBD? on Linkedin Email How does the NSW Government’s Western Harbour Tunnel affect Council’s plans for the CBD? link

    How does the NSW Government’s Western Harbour Tunnel affect Council’s plans for the CBD?

    over 4 years ago

    The Western Harbour Tunnel (WHT) represents a significant threat to some of the projects identified in the Public Domain Strategy. If the WHT is delivered as per exhibited Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) designs, many of the identified PDS projects, including Miller Place, will not be able to be delivered. In addition, CBD pedestrian amenity and safety would be compromised.  For detailed information on the WHT project, please check council’s response to the EIS here, or visit council’s community campaign.


  • Share Where will the buses go if you close Miller Street? on Facebook Share Where will the buses go if you close Miller Street? on Twitter Share Where will the buses go if you close Miller Street? on Linkedin Email Where will the buses go if you close Miller Street? link

    Where will the buses go if you close Miller Street?

    over 4 years ago

    If Miller Street is closed between Pacific Highway and Berry Street to implement Miller Place, bus routes will need to be redirected in consultation with TfNSW, Sydney Buses and other relevant state agencies. 

  • Share Can I still access my basement or make deliveries in the CBD? on Facebook Share Can I still access my basement or make deliveries in the CBD? on Twitter Share Can I still access my basement or make deliveries in the CBD? on Linkedin Email Can I still access my basement or make deliveries in the CBD? link

    Can I still access my basement or make deliveries in the CBD?

    over 4 years ago

    If the desired changes to the traffic network occur, there will be continuous access to existing basements, vehicular and service entries for buildings in the CBD. The proposed laneways and pedestrian priority areas will continue to provide access to residents and users of carparks. The areas will become shared zones but closed to “through-traffic”.


    Plazas and other pedestrian areas will allow for service vehicles to access shops and loading zones at designated times of the day. 

    Each area will be studied further individually, and management plans will be put in place accordingly. 

  • Share What changes are you proposing to traffic in the CBD? on Facebook Share What changes are you proposing to traffic in the CBD? on Twitter Share What changes are you proposing to traffic in the CBD? on Linkedin Email What changes are you proposing to traffic in the CBD? link

    What changes are you proposing to traffic in the CBD?

    over 4 years ago

    In order to deliver the proposed public open space projects, changes are needed to the way vehicles move around the CBD.  Council prepared a Transport Masterplan in 2018 to restrict regional traffic to the edges of the city, allowing only local traffic to move around the centre. To achieve this, key changes proposed are:


    •   Warringah Freeway Transport Interchange
      (a one-way roundabout loop around High, Arthur, Mount and Alfred Streets)
    •   Reversal of Arthur Street between Mount Street and Berry Street
    • Pacific Highway Upgrade
    • Bi-directional Berry Street
    • Reduce speed limits in the CBD


    Section C of the Public Domain Strategy deals with these changes, as promoted by the North Sydney CBD Transport Masterplan. The Masterplan represents an important facilitator of the positive changes advocated by the PDS.  Council has been working with state agencies to realise the changes advocated by that Masterplan, however, their delivery remains uncertain. 

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    How will you fund these projects?

    over 4 years ago

    Projects will be funded in a variety of ways, including “Section 7.11” developer contributions and a mix of local, State and Federal funding depending on the project where appropriate. 


    The availability of funds will be dependent on Council’s standard budget processes.


  • Share When will the plans identified in the Public Domain Strategy be delivered? on Facebook Share When will the plans identified in the Public Domain Strategy be delivered? on Twitter Share When will the plans identified in the Public Domain Strategy be delivered? on Linkedin Email When will the plans identified in the Public Domain Strategy be delivered? link

    When will the plans identified in the Public Domain Strategy be delivered?

    over 4 years ago

    The CBD Public Domain Strategy (PDS) is a document that identifies a vision for North Sydney’s public spaces to align private and public investment in future.  No specific timelines are identified beyond the priority level shown on the strategy, as this is not a construction plan.  Some of the projects identified, like Miller Place, are aspirational and will require cooperation and approvals from other NSW Government agencies.  Others, like Post Office Square, are generally within Council’s control and will require funding and detailed construction plans to be developed.  The PDS, will serve as a guiding document to future investment decisions and discussion with developers in the CBD.   


     Detailed designs will be the subject of future consultation.