Grassroots push for rainbow crossing at Newtown on Wilson Street
Plans are underway to give Newtown a rainbow crossing similar to the one at Taylor Square, in what has been described as a ‘reward’ for residents should it come to fruition.
Central Sydney
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Plans are afoot to give Newtown its answer to Taylor Square’s iconic rainbow crossing.
Residents in and around Wilson St have band together to call for a coloured pedestrian crossing to be installed in front of Hollis Park and the opposite cafe.
More than 300 people signed a petition calling for the project in just 10 days, which will be tabled at next month’s City of Sydney Council meeting by Kerryn Phelps.
Michael Ousman, who owns Hollis Park Cafe, said the idea came as preparations were made to tear up the existing crossing as part of an ongoing and painful cycle track project.
“Everyone comes to Newtown for its open-minded community,” he said.
“Everybody embraces you here, everybody welcomes you. The crossing would be a sign of happiness and inclusivity.
“We’re not asking for anything extra, instead of white make the new stripes rainbow.”
Resident Catherine Zuill said the proposal was a grassroots push by the progressive community looking to spread the love to Wilson St’s many visitors.
“It seemed like such a positive thing to come from what’s been a trying time on the street,” she said.
Cr Phelps is set to table the petition at the next City of Sydney meeting on October 28 and call for council staff to investigate how the project could be achieved.
She said the crossing could be seen as a “reward” for residents who have endured a drawn out construction process for the Wilson and Burren street cycleway — and it could be integrated into the new streetscape design.
“I’m really hoping it will get the support of my fellow councillors,” she said.
The move has the support of Cr Linda Scott, who called Wilson St one of the city’s “most beautiful boulevards”.
“It’s a street that has people walking up and down it all day long,” she said.
“It’s also a place where we want to encourage people to be walking, and what better way to do it than with this crossing.”
Wilson St, the home of tourist and local drawcard Carriageworks, is currently undergoing upheaval as a cycle track is installed between Burren and Little Eveleigh streets.
Works are expected to continue into the new year.
Hollis Park is also set for an upgrade of its own, which Cr Scott said also presented a perfect opportunity to include the crossing in the works.
