Sydney Council has released a first look at the Town Hall Square development but the project remains marred by controversy.
The new plaza will cost $150m and requires the demolition of seven buildings opposite Town Hall, which has led to criticisms of unnecessary spending and a loss of heritage.
Plans for the more than 4,500 sqm space include an interactive water element, seating and 30 native trees that will provide 50 per cent canopy cover.
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An artist’s impression of the proposed Town Hall Square. Picture: Choi Render
Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the area would be used for large events like markets and that it was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.
“Like other major cities around the world, we need large, lively, welcoming civic spaces for the growing number of people living in and visiting Sydney,” Ms Moore said.
“Four decades after Council purchased the first building to enable a square at Town Hall, we are at the precipice of realising the ambitious promise of a beautiful open space right in the heart of our CBD.
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An artist’s impression showing the Town Hall Square in place of the current businesses. Picture: Choi Render
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform a major space in the heart of the city and deliver a generous, welcoming place destined to become the city’s living room and an iconic place to gather,” she said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said council has an obligation to explain how they’ll fund the project and needs to justify the cost, which he labelled “very expensive”.
The seven buildings earmarked for demolitions include one of Australia’s busiest Woolworths that’s located inside an almost 100-year-old building.
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Woolworths Town Hall is earmarked for demolition under current redevelopment plans. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers
A survey provided to The Daily Telegraph by a third party found that 80 per cent of the 2,195 respondents expressed concern about the Woolworths’ demolition and permanent closure.
The art deco properties were built in 1929 and are not heritage listed but 57 per cent of people in the survey said they were concerned about the property heritage.
Council started buying land for the project in 1982 and conducted a community survey in 2007 showing strong support for public squares.
Mary Osmond, the chief executive officer for the Tourism and Transport Forum, said it would promote tourism and called the project “fantastic”.
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The proposed square will be used to host markets, concerts, festivals and sporting event live-sites. Picture: Choi Render
“It has the potential to change the way people experience this part of the city, drawing more visitors and encouraging them to stay longer and spend more, which in turn will attract more investment into the surrounding precinct,” Ms Osmond said.
Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou has said in previous statements that the plans would cause unwanted disruptions.
“An open-space plaza across the road from Sydney Town Hall may have been a ‘nice to have’ in the 1980s, but in 2026 and beyond it makes little sense,” Mr Nicolaou said.
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Local businesses have expressed concern about the proposed redevelopment. Picture: Choi Render
“The area involved needs to remain a commercial hub for our city when the CBD is still recovering post-Covid,” he said.
The development application will be lodged later this year and the public will be given a chance to voice their opinions.
Council plans to use a local First Nations name and if approved, demolition will begin in 2028 with works completed in 2031.