NSW Government derails bold plan to turn Sydney train line into New York-inspired ‘high line’

The state’s new Transport Minister has sparked backlash after throwing cold water on an ambitious plan to turn neglected railway tracks into a new tourism drawcard.

The new government says the high line could impact train reliability.

An ambitious plan to transform neglected railway tracks into a new pedestrian ‘high line’ on Sydney’s lower north shore has been derailed over fears it could have major impacts on the city’s train network.

The NSW Transport Minister has rejected calls to commit to the long-planned Lavender Bay High Line project which would involve turning the rail spur along the Milsons Point foreshore into a new tourism destination.

The ambitious project was inspired by similar ‘high line’ projects in New York and Paris which have adapted ageing rail infrastructure into new pedestrian paths, parkland and cycleways.

Concept plans for Lavender Bay high line show the 3.3km path would link to prominent sites including Luna Park, Wendy’s Secret Garden, Waverton Park and the Coal Loader precinct in Waverton.

The project has been spearheaded by residents who formed a Sydney Harbour High Line Association group back in 2016 to progress the development.

A photo of the spur line in North Sydney.

Residents have taken inspiration from the New York High Line.

Previous NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet – in the lead up to the March election – named the project a “priority” in an election commitment which included a pledge to create a delivery group with representatives from North Sydney Council, Transport for NSW and residents.

But new Transport Minister Jo Haylen has thrown cold water on the plan, telling NSW Parliament the project was an “unfunded election promise of the previous government”.

A photo of the route.

Ms Haylen said “proceeding with the Lavender Bay High Line project would have a serious impact on the operations of the T1 North Shore Western Line’’.

The spur line to Lavender Bay is used to stable trains on weekdays as well as for crew training and storing trains between peak times.

Ms Haylen said turning the tracks into a pedestrian path could have further “implications for service reliability for passengers across the rail network including western Sydney residents”.

The comments have been met with disappointment by members of the Harbour High Line Association including Ian Mutton.

Ian Mutton – the man behind the High Line drive.

“We’re disappointed they are ruling it out so quickly,” Mr Mutton said. “It’s more than just a walkway. It links fabulous parks and into a cohesive tourism destination and it would have been one of the great icons for Sydney.

“It would be a huge drawcard because there are not a lot of things for tourists to do in Sydney in two-thirds of a day that are accessible by both ferry and train.

“In terms of the cost – the government is spending $56m on a new bike ramp for the Sydney Harbour Bridge whereas this project would cost $10m and benefit far more people.

“It could have also been privately funded the same way the New York High Line was.”

The idea for the walking track was inspired by the New York High Line which was created on a former rail line in Manhattan and now attracts 15 million visitors each year.

A similar project in Paris – the Coulée verge René-Dumont – was built on obsolete railway infrastructure in 1993.

The previous government’s support for the project included a 300sq m expansion of Wendy’s Secret Garden to connect to the high line.

Mr Mutton said the Harbour High Line Association would not give up on the project and was hoping to meet with Ms Haylen to make the case for it proceeding.