Willoughby Council votes to retain Bellambi Street pop-up square after dividing opinions from locals

A pop-up street park located on a busy roadway in Northbridge has left some locals fuming. Despite this, councillors have voted to keep it in place. Find out why.

The square has cut direct road access for some residents in the suburb.

A pop-up park created on a roadway in a north shore town centre will remain a permanent fixture despite mixed opinions from residents and business owners.

Willoughby councillors have voted to retain a new green space on a section of Bellambi St in Northbridge following a six-month trial of the community space that began last year.

The pop-up space – funded by a $442,200 State Government grant – includes seats, trees, space for the community to hold events and outdoor dining areas for nearby food outlets.

Feedback from more than 500 residents revealed 58.3 per cent were in favour of keeping the closure in place, while 41.7 per cent were opposed.

Supporters said the road closure had improved pedestrian safety, increased the amenity of the town centre and lessened the potential for traffic accidents.

A photo of the road where the new public square has been created.

However, opponents took aim at traffic impacts for residents who have been forced to take detours to access their homes.

Fifteen local businesses also opposed the square due to concerns it had made it more difficult for their customers to find a car park.

Resident Nathan Deveson – speaking at a council meeting last week – urged councillors to reopen the road.

“The parking situation in the area is impossible to gain access for local residents, particularly on Tuesday morning when garbage trucks are collecting rubbish,” he said.

The decision to retain the square follows a six-month council trial.

“The square has not resulted in more use by the community, and it’s been predominantly used by two businesses.”

Concerns raised in public feedback also included “excessive commercial use of the space” and the perceived undesirable nature of allowing alcohol drinking in a public area.

Resident Kate Morgan believed there has been little use of the space, with the uptake of the square “limited to a bar and food truck.”

Many residents supported the closure, with some saying it could reduce car use by encouraging residents to walk or cycle.

“The more street closures, the better,” one submission stated.

John Chase from the Northbridge Progress Association recognised there had been varied opinions about the project but believed its retention would enhance the attractiveness of the town centre.

A photo of residents using the square over summer.

“The community got engaged but opinions are mixed – some in the community see the vision, some are sceptics,” he said.

“But pedestrian safety at Bellambi St has improved and road safety has been improved.

“Well designed public spaces are an important part of the urban landscape – they bring people together. It will become an important public space in Northbridge.”

A council plan of the new square.

The trial of the pop-up space followed local planning strategies endorsed by the council in 2019 and 2021 that both envisaged the creation of a new public space in Northbridge.

The grant funding came from a government program that aimed at creating new suburban green spaces during the peak of the Covid-19 lockdowns.

A council recognised there had been low utilisation of the space from local shop owners with only two local businesses coming forward with proposals to use the space.

An artist impression of what the new square was intended to look like.

A number of events were organised by the Northbridge Progress Association but it is understood that several of the initial proposals and suggestions did not come to fruition.

Councillor Roy McCullagh, who supported the retention, said the square would be an important part of the future amenity of the town centre.

“It’s a very emotive issue for the residents however we have to think about the future – there is no central meeting place in Northbridge and because of the geographics of the suburb we don't have the luxury of having squares or plazas,” he said.

“Sure it’s not the great success we wished it would be (but) we have this one opportunity to put Northbridge on the map.”

The decision to retain the park means the intersection of Bellambi Street and Sailors Bay Road will be permanently closed to cars.

The council is planning to carry out further minor improvements to the square such as the removal of the concrete barriers, installation of more permanent seating, and reconfiguration of some of the landscaping elements.

A traffic report noted the closure of Bellambi St had “removed conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians on a heavily trafficked pedestrian crossing” and that the “trial closure has had minimal impact on parking supply”.