Plans unveiled for Ryde Civic Centre redevelopment

There have been a string of failed plans to remodel Ryde’s Civic Centre site over the past decade, but council believes this proposal ticks all the boxes for community satisfaction.

How the plaza and open space will look in the upgraded Ryde Civic Centre site.

• Call to upgrade Gladesville shopping village
• Down N' Out opens new digs

A new plaza, childcare facilities and cultural hub for concerts are among the key features of plans unveiled this week for a massive makeover of the Ryde Civic Centre site.

Dubbed “The New Heart of Ryde”, the Times can reveal the redevelopment will see a fourfold increase in community space without the introduction of any residential development on the site.

Half of the project will house commercial and retail facilities, a plaza and open space, childcare centre, parking, public meeting rooms and a new council chambers.

The remaining half will be dedicated to a cultural and community space that will cater for a range of activities, from concerts to theatre groups, dance classes, study groups, businesses and artists.

New plans for the remodelling of the Civic Centre site, with it to be called “The New Heart of Ryde”.

Councillors this week backed the plan — which will go out to public consultation next month — but refused to put a final price tag on it.

However, sources have told the Times it could cost in excess of $100 million.

Ryde Labor Mayor Jerome Laxale said it would be a “financially sustainable plan which will be funded from cash reserves and developer contributions”.

“Rates will not be used and services will not be cut,” Cr Laxale said.

This latest concept design comes after a string of failed plans to upgrade the Civic Centre site, which has cost ratepayers $7 million over the past decade.

The Ryde Civic Centre has been long overdue for an upgrade.

Cr Laxale said the endorsement of the plan last night was a landmark moment for the city.

“The New Heart of Ryde will be a low-impact development that will address the growing demand within Ryde for a new and significant accessible space that will service a diverse range of community needs,” he said.

“Importantly, based on strong community opposition to overdevelopment, this plan will not include cramming hundreds of apartments onto the site as has been previously proposed.

“An upgraded site has been talked about for a decade and millions of dollars have been wasted by councils of the past. Now is the time to act and provide enormous benefits for the community for generations to come.”

He said the redevelopment would see the relocation of council staff back to the Civic Centre site, saving ratepayers millions in annual rental costs.

The Civic Centre building — which opened on August 15, 1964 — is no longer used after staff moved to the Binary Centre at North Ryde in 2016.

Ryde Civic Centre on official opening day on August 15, 1964. Photo: Ryde Library