Sydney Harbour High Line park plans one stop closer

IT’S FULL steam ahead for a new walkway on an old rail line on Sydney Harbour after the State Government signalled its support.

Ian Mutton is campaigning to turn the old tracks into a public park. Picture: David Swift

• Plans revealed for Sydney’s answer to New York High Line
• Calls for a harbourside park on an old rail line

A DREAM to create a new harbourside park on a historic rail line is one stop closer.

A community campaign started two years ago to build Sydney’s answer to the New York High Line on the lower north shore.

Now, in a letter seen by the Mosman Daily, the state government has agreed that works can start to create a pathway from Waverton to Milsons Point.

It would be on land where a rail line was removed in the 1960s.

A heritage train took a trip on the tracks earlier this year. Picture: Phillip Rogers

“I can confirm that the (Transport) Minister and Sydney Trains have agreed that work to create a walking path along the Lavender Bar (sic) Spur can commence on the side where tracks have been removed,” Transport Minister Andrew Constance’s chief of staff Chris Muir wrote.

The Lavender Bay rail siding stretches from Luna Park to Waverton, and is currently used as a resting spot for trains running on the north shore line.

It is about 450m long.

The Sydney Harbour High Line Association was formed to campaign for it to be transformed into parkland, and has welcomed the latest move by the state government.

“It’s fantastic that the Premier and (North Shore state Liberal MP) Felicity Wilson have moved so quickly,” campaigner Ian Mutton said.

“But the challenge is to ensure the High Line walkway is ultimately extended to include the remaining railway lines.”

A view over the old rail line from Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden.

Mr Mutton said that expanding parks was critically important in a city facing a population explosion.

The walk would boast spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House.

“It’s the first step in giving the community ready access to a number of harbourside parks. It’s magic and no other city in the world has anything like it,” Mr Mutton said.

A spokesman for Sydney Trains said the rail siding remained an essential part of the network.

“However, we are working with the NSW government to look at long-term options for this area,” he said.

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