Local councils will be encouraged to widen walkways, close roads and create new cycle paths under a new state government scheme designed to accommodate greater use of public outdoor space.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the sheer volume of people exercising outdoors during the coronavirus pandemic had exposed the limitations of historic urban design.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the demand for more public spaces – and easy, safe access to it," he said.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes says the volume of people taking to open-air exercise has highlighted the lack of appropriate space.Credit: Steven Siewert
Under a new $15 million fund, NSW councils can apply for grants of up to $100,000 for immediate pilot projects, such as widening footpaths and creating cycle lanes, and up to $1 million for longer term projects such as extra crossing points and trialling lower speed limits.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes.Credit: AAP
"In the short term, such interventions can support people to exercise and undertake essential travel by creating more public space to walk and cycle," Mr Stokes said.
"Our future precincts, parks and public spaces need to be designed to enable better social distancing, with wider footpaths, segregated cycleways and more linear parks, to meet the increased demand for these precious public spaces."
In a separate initiative, the car-free zone on George Street is to be extended from Bathurst and Campbell streets, and then further south to Rawson Place in Haymarket, with footpaths widened and more trees planted.
The temporary closure in the southbound direction from Bathurst to Campbell streets will be made permanent.
City of Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore said when the COVID-19 crisis passes, George St would "once again be a place to linger and gather rather than just hurrying through."
"This is great for people, and great for the shops, cafes, bars and restaurants along the route," Cr Moore said.
If the programs are well received by the community then councils have the option of making them more permanent.
Mr Stokes said NSW could look for inspiration in places such as Barcelona in Spain, where roadways were being converted for cycling, or Vancouver in Canada, where footpaths next to supermarkets were being widened.
The announcement follows a call by 100 health and transport experts who have written to state and federal transport ministers asking them to widen footpaths, add bicycle lanes, and slow or ban traffic on some roads to allow safe physical distancing.
In February, Waverley Council in Sydney's eastern suburbs trialled its own initiative of closing certain local streets to traffic on Sunday afternoons to allow children and families to play and remain active. The council plans to expand the initiative once restrictions are eased.
George Street’s car-free zone is to be extended further south in a government trial.Credit: Edwina Pickles
Clusters of people jogging along popular exercise routes have caused anxiety among authorities and experts, with two mayors urging people to stop using the Bay Run in Sydney's inner-west, where mounted police have also been forced to patrol.
Local Government NSW president Linda Scott said councils were already in the process of transforming areas to be more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly and additional funding to support these initiatives was welcome.
"Nevertheless, the transformation of Sydney is an enormous and expensive task and new cycleway projects typically reach millions of dollars," Cr Scott said.
Under the government's plan, temporary changes will also be made to vehicle access at Parramatta Park from May 19 to improve walking and cycling, and a laneway behind Railway St in the Liverpool city centre will be transformed to a pedestrian thoroughfare with trees and street furniture.