North Sydney Council’s plan to turn Miller St into pedestrian-only zone under threat from Western Harbour Tunnel

A $9 million council plan to convert one of the busiest roads in North Sydney into a pedestrian-only zone is under threat from construction works on the new Western Harbour Tunnel.

A concept image of the proposed pedestrian conversion of Miller St in North Sydney’s CBD.

A $9 million council plan to convert one of the busiest roads in North Sydney into a pedestrian-only zone is under threat from construction works on the new Western Harbour Tunnel.

North Sydney Council has criticised newly released details for the multi-billion dollar tunnel over concerns the project will directly impact the planned conversion on Miller St through North Sydney’s CBD into a car-free zone.

The criticism centres on a Berry St on-ramp which would enable cars to connect onto the new Western Harbour Tunnel through the intersection of Miller St.

A council report into the Western Harbour Tunnel stated it was now “questionable” whether the Miller St conversion could be delivered due to the proposed amount of traffic that would be pushed through the CBD.

North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker has compared the potential traffic impacts to the opening of the Rozelle Interchange in the inner west which resulted in heavy congestion along Victoria Rd earlier this year.

A concept image of the Berry St on-ramp.

Labor councillor Shannon Welch warned the tunnel plans could “undermine the pedestrian friendly goals of the council” by leading to “car based outcomes”.

“This approach is counter-productive to the context of the climate crisis as it contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.

“It will prioritise vehicles over pedestrians – active transport should be prioritised to make it easier to walk and cycle.”

A concept image of the car-free conversion.

The pedestrianisation of the road has been partly aimed at meeting the surge in foot traffic from the new Victoria Cross Metro Station in North Sydney and would include spaces for concerts and markets along with new cafes, kiosks and public art displays.

The council has warned the tunnel project could also impact strategies to increase the local bike line network which is aimed at deterring car-use on the lower north shore.

Multiple community groups have echoed the council’s concerns, with a Lavender Bay community group claiming the project will “bring thousands of additional vehicles into and through the centre of the North Sydney business district”.

A map of the new on-ramp.

Transport for NSW, in its plans for the tunnel, stated the project would maintain an “appropriate level of traffic movement” through North Sydney and “preserve capacity and connectivity” for pedestrians.

In a statement, Transport for NSW said it “continues to work closely with North Sydney Council and other key stakeholders to consider/investigate options to improve movement and place outcomes, further leveraging the strategic benefits of the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade programs of work”.

“Transport is committed to ensuring the delivery of the objectives proposed by the North Sydney Integrated Transport Program are not precluded by the Project, as required by the Ministerial Conditions of Approval. This will be done in consultation with Council,” a spokeswoman said.

North Sydney Council has called for Transport for NSW to conduct new traffic modelling to assess the impacts of the Western Harbour Tunnel.