By Megan Gorrey
The City of Sydney is proposing to forcibly acquire the final building required to construct a long-vaunted public square in the heart of the central business district under a $150 million plan to complete the project in the next six years.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore in February signalled her ambition to start work on the grand civic square – which had previously been delayed for another decade – before the council term ends in 2028.
An artist’s impression of Town Hall Square, part of the council’s long-term strategy to create three separate but interconnected public squares along George Street.
The council has been planning to bulldoze buildings on the block opposite Sydney Town Hall – between George, Park and Pitt streets – to create a new public domain for more than 40 years.
“This central, public square will be the heart of the city,” Moore said.
“If approved by council, it will be one of the biggest projects ever initiated by the City of Sydney.”
Moore had previously said there was little chance the wrecking ball would go in until 2035. But at a meeting in February, councillors unanimously supported her request for staff investigate options to fast-track the delivery of the square in the 2025-26 budget, with a view to start demolition in 2028.
Moore told that meeting it was becoming too expensive to maintain the ageing structures, and “investing in buildings we intend to demolish for the future Town Hall Square is not prudent”.
Town Hall Square was first proposed in the 1980s. Between 1985 and 2019, the council has gradually acquired six of the seven properties required for the project, starting with the Woolworths building on the corner of George and Park streets. But the council has been unable to reach a deal to buy the final building, currently home to a Foot Locker shoe store, on George Street.
A staff report, published on Thursday, said the council should compulsorily acquire the building, arguing such action was justified given it was recommending the acceleration of the square project.
Under the council’s proposed timeline, demolition of the buildings would start in 2028, construction would begin in 2029, and the 4200 square-metre plaza would be finished in early 2031.
The City of Sydney is proposing to compulsorily acquire the seventh building required to create the square. It currently houses a Foot Locker shoe store.Credit: Edwina Pickles
The report also noted the buildings the council had acquired were all more than 50 years old and the costs to maintain, upgrade and operate them was soon forecast to exceed the income from leases.
“It is now considered uneconomical to hold these buildings for a further 10 years,” the report said.
The council has allocated a capital works budget of $150 million for the project in its draft long-term financial plan. Councillors will vote on the staff recommendations at a meeting on May 12.
If councillors approve the plan, a detailed design process for the project will begin. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on a proposed concept next year.
Moore said the square would include trees and seats to provide a meeting spot “as iconic as the Town Hall steps” and a venue for events including festivals, markets, celebrations and protests.
“Like other major cities around the world, we need large, lively, welcoming civic spaces for the growing number of people living in and visiting Sydney,” Moore said.
Liberal councillor Lyndon Gannon said he was “very supportive” of the proposal to fast-track the project. “I do think it’s the right time. It makes economic sense.”
Independent councillor Yvonne Weldon said the city needed a civic space that brought people together, but: “There are a lot of unknowns – I’m waiting to see more of the detail and wanting to make sure the money’s spent well.”
The council says the square would create a meeting place and venue for events.Credit: City of Sydney
In 2023, councillors received advice from staff to extend commercial and retail leases in the precinct until 2035, to allow the council more time to buy the required properties, bank savings to help fund construction of the future square and secure financial input from the state or federal governments.
Moore said in February the council had negotiated to extend those leases while it was “severely affected by the financial impacts of the pandemic and not in a position to deliver the square”.
She said demand for older office space had dropped post-COVID, and light rail and the completion of the nearby Gadigal metro station had brought more workers, revellers and tourists to the area.
“I believe the council must re-evaluate and adapt to changing conditions to maximise benefits for the city and its communities. And we need to provide for the future,” she said at the time.
“It was different the last time we dealt with this matter in 2023.”
The council’s 2050 strategy for the city envisages three grand civic plazas at Central Station, Town Hall and Circular Quay, the latter of which would require the demolition of the Cahill Expressway.
The space between Town Hall and St Andrew’s Cathedral is also destined for a $35 million overhaul with paving, lighting and furniture to be installed in 2027.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.