Calls for New York High Line along Sydney Harbour

A VALUABLE tract of land that winds around the harbour foreshore is in focus after a State Government move to change legislation that could see the land developed.

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A  TRACT of valuable land that winds around the harbour foreshore is in focus after a State Government move to change legislation.

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

However, concerns have been raised about its future after a push to give Transport Minister Andrew Constance the power to close rail lines for “state significant” infrastructure projects.

“The primary concern is that this piece of land is quintessential Sydney,” said Ian Mutton, who lives at Milsons Point.

“I think we need to ­ensure that it is converted to parkland and not some form of ­development.”

A train resting on the tracks close to Luna Park. Picture: David Swift

Mr Mutton, a former corporate lawyer, would like it to be transformed into a parkland similar to The High Line in New York.

“A walkway from Waverton to Lavender Bay would be a tourist attraction of monumental significance,” he said.

The rail siding is 2.01ha and about 450m long.

A Bill was introduced to Parliament last month and, if passed, would allow the minister to close any line in Sydney and its surrounds.

New York took an innovative approach with an old rail line. Picture: Iwan Baan

Currently the government cannot close railway lines without a special Act of Parliament.

“There are no plans to sell the Lavender Bay Rail Siding, which is essential for ­operating the Sydney Trains network,” a spokeswoman for Transport for NSW said.

She said that any railway line closure would only be in connection with projects that were subject to extensive public consultation.

Real ­estate agent Wilson King from Home Unit Headquarters in Milsons Point said the rail siding is “probably the most valuable land in the area”.

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