Knox Street Mall: Woollahra Council votes not to proceed with controversial pedestrianisation plan

An aspirational plan to continue the revitalisation of Double Bay with a NSW government-funded pedestrian mall may be over. Find out why.

Council planned to transform Knox Street in Double Bay into a pedestrian plaza using a NSW government grant. Artist impresssion

Woollahra Council voted overwhelmingly to abandon its aspirational vision for the controversial Knox St Mall, citing a shortfall in funds and community backlash.

Council voted eight to five on the recommendation of its planning committee to postpone moving forward with the Knox Street Pedestrian Plaza project at this point “due to the cost escalations and the resultant insufficient funding available to complete this Project”, according to the council agenda.

Mayor Susan Wynne, who had been a fierce advocate for the project, was not present at Monday’s council meeting, which saw an intense debate among councillors over how competing interests had influenced the project’s public perception.

Liberal councillor Sean Carmichael said he had reversed his position after becoming concerned he “could not find one person in the street” who supported the project.

“I can’t find them in the community, I can’t find them in businesses,” Mr Carmichael said, adding the level of community opposition is greater than any project he had seen in his time at council.

Knox St, Double Bay.

However, Residents First councillor Mark Silcocks maintained powerful developers with a stake in Double Bay had succeeded in swaying the wider business community into believing the project would negatively impact them.

Mr Silcock’s said he was disappointed by what he considered “a lack of ambition and vision” among business leaders to support the council’s plan to turn the street into “one of Sydney’s premium pedestrian-only attractions.”

The NSW Government awarded development funding in mid-2021 through its legacy program, which grants money to develop high-quality public spaces to revitalise commercial centres impacted by the pandemic.

Artist impression of the pedestrianisation plan for Knox Street in Double Bay. Image: Woollahra Council.

The grant scheme – which awarded $4.75m to the council – required the project’s completion by the end of the year.

The scheme faced outrage from residents who claim the development will cause traffic chaos, hurt business and make it harder for elderly residents to get around Double Bay village.

In May, councillors voted nine to four to push ahead with the plans despite what it accepted was “strong” community resistance.

Mayor Susan Wynne told the Wentworth Courier in May the project was part of a well-publicised long-term vision to reimagine Double Bay as a more inclusive area with business diversity.

Woollahra Mayor Susan Wynne had advocated for the development.Picture: John Appleyard

“When people come together in those kinds of areas, they stay longer, they spend more money, or dine more, or shop more,” she said.

However, the council’s planning committee reported “significant issues” placed the successful delivery of the project at risk.

An extensive delay in Transport for NSW (TfNSW) for the project’s traffic management plan and community consultation meant it was unlikely critical construction could be finished by the December 2022 deadline.

Council staff have formally requested an extension of the project deadline to December 2023.

Further, as of September, construction costs for an amended project were estimated at $5.7m, driven by price increases in the construction sector.

“Based on information currently available to Council, there is not sufficient funding available under the DPE Program to allow for the calling of tenders based on the Council’s adopted scope of works, noting that Council cannot go to tender without an intention to proceed,” council’s meeting minutes read.

Knox street, Double Bay. Picture: John Appleyard

“If the DPE are able to provide substantial additional funding for the Project, then Council may choose to reconsider moving forward with the Project,” council staff recommended.

Council has also resolved to explore alternative plans, including the option to partially pedestrianise nearby Bay St.

Ms Wynne told the Wentworth Courier council resolved to postpone the Knox Street Pedestrian Plaza project due to escalating costs.

“The project, incorporating a public pedestrian area with new lighting, plantings, public art and seating, was to be fully funded by a grant of $4.75m from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program,” Ms Wynne said.

“We are not unique in terms of what is being experienced on major building projects throughout Australia, where building materials and labour are in short supply and causing a massive spike in construction costs and delays.

Ms Wynne said that looking at more than $2 million in additional costs it had made the responsible decision, however said she anticipated the project will proceed at a later time.

Council had received strong support from Transport NSW for the project, she said.

“Council remains committed to creating vibrant public spaces for our residents and businesses and relieving pressure on our roads and public transport networks by making walking in our LGA as easy and enjoyable as possible, so the project is just on hold until we have the funds to make it viable.”