Kirribilli, McMahons Point, Crows Nest, Neutral Bay to be transformed
An ambitious plan to transform five town centres across Sydney’s north shore has been revealed. The proposal includes the pedestrianisation of large sections of Kirribilli, McMahons Point, Crows Nest, Neutral Bay and Cremorne as well as the creation of parks, plazas and dining areas. SEE THE PLANS
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Five town centres are set to be transformed on Sydney’s north shore with plans revealed to create outdoor dining areas, remove overhead powerlines and turn busy streets into pedestrian zones and parks.
North Sydney Council has unveiled ambitious masterplans for upgrades to the Kirribilli and McMahons Point shopping strips, along with concept plans for revamps of the fast-growing Crows Nest, Neutral Bay and Cremorne town centres.
Major features of the works would include creating new parks in Crows Nest, Milsons Point and Cremorne and turning a list of streets into pedestrian zones featuring public artworks, water features and play areas.
Car parks and powerlines would also be jettisoned as part of the project to make way for expanded footpaths, street trees and outdoor dining areas in a move to entice food lovers and shoppers into the suburbs.
Future works in Crows Nest, Neutral Bay and Cremorne have also been revealed with concept images showing works would include new parks, pedestrian strips and widened footpaths.
Initial feedback has included support for the long-term benefits of the projects, however some businesses owners have expressed trepidation over the impacts of lengthy construction works.
In Kirribilli, San Antonio Sourdough Bakery owner Tony Morgan believes works outside his shop that would involve creating a new pedestrian zone should be staged to ensure trade remains stable.
“It would be good in the long run – the area is in need of upgrading – but it would have to be carefully balanced,” he said.
“Turning a street into a pedestrian street would take about a year to complete and for businesses that are just coming out of COVID-19 and struggling it would be very hard to go into another struggle. We’re just bouncing back.”
The council has budgeted $1 million to kickstart works in Kirribilli and McMahons Point with public consultation due to be held ahead of construction works in the coming year.
North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson said the projects would bring the outdated town centres into the 21st century.
“Kirribilli and McMahons Point village sit in two of Sydney’s premier locations but are tired and run down – they need some love and care,” she said.
“Crows Nest, Cremorne and Neutral are also important community hubs and the upgrades will ensure they receive the attention they deserve.”
KIRRIBILLI
Works in Kirribilli would be split into eight sections including Bligh St, Fitzroy St, Broughton High St and the Milsons Point Station underpass.
The upgrades would extend to the Sydney Harbour lookout with the popular tourist spot set to feature new seating, landscaping works, and pathways.
Upgrades in the town centre would also celebrate the suburb’s synonymity with the Jacaranda with new trees planted around Milsons Point Station while the underpass under the rail line would be coloured purple.
Burton St would become a pedestrian zone featuring outdoor seating and new trees. A new pedestrian plaza would also be created in Bligh St between Humphrey Pl and Broughton St.
The project would include removing 35 parking spaces on Burton St, partially offset with 21 new spaces on Upper Ennis Rd.
MCMAHONS POINT
Works would be split into three sections and would feature outdoor dining areas, landscaping works and the removal of overhead power lines.
The project would extend along Blues Point Rd from Blue St to Warung St and would involve a net loss of 10 carparking spaces to accommodate wider footpaths, expanded outdoor dining areas, trees, paving and improved pedestrian crossings.
East Crescent St would also have a “pocket park” leading into Blues Point Rd featuring a sculpture and landscaping works.
CROWS NEST
The project includes a range of works along Willoughby Rd including new trees, seating, paving and improved outdoor dining eating areas.
Willoughby St, near the intersection of the Pacific Hwy, would also be turned into a pedestrian zone with the potential for a water feature, new trees, outdoor seating, and a children’s play area.
The council said the upgrade would be designed to create a “breathing space” and would have public artworks including “birds nests” to reflect the local identity.
NEUTRAL BAY
Upgrades in Neutral Bay would include widened footpaths, new street trees, banners and flagpoles.
Grosvenor Lane would become a shared zone featuring new trees and outdoor dining areas.
There would also be upgrades to May Gibbs Place featuring sculptures, new mosaic seating and “decorative paving”.
CREMORNE
Langley Place in Cremorne would be transformed into an improved pedestrian zone with outdoor dining areas, paving, seating, a rain garden and Cremorne Gateway signage.
Similar upgrades would be carried out at Cremorne Plaza and would also feature public artworks and a sculptured canopy.