The government last year revealed an $11 billion proposal to,which will form the “western gateway” to its Tech Central jobs and innovation zone from Haymarket to South Eveleigh.
The proposed redevelopment covers a 24-hectare site at the southern end of Sydney’s CBD.NSW government
Under the plans,a giant deck will be constructed over the rail lines of Australia’s busiest train station,allowing about 15 buildings up to 34 storeys to emerge above,as well as a pedestrian avenue,laneways and plazas.
Dozens of submissions on Transport for NSW’s proposal have reignited debate about balancing the station’s heritage features with the government’s ambition for more intensive development around the transport hub.
Transport for NSW said the scheme would breathe life into Central’s heritage assets and provide opportunities to appreciate them. It said the long-term plans to overhaul the site would create an exciting new place for businesses and the community.
In its submission to the Department of Planning and Environment,the City of Sydney council said while it supported increased development in the area,the precinct needed to integrate with the CBD “to be a part of the city,and not apart from the city”. The council said the proposed scheme was “overly bulky,with too many towers,too close together”.
‘The streets,blocks and buildings replicate the obvious mistakes of Barangaroo South,without the ... benefit of the foreshore promenade.’
The City of Sydney’s submission regarding plans to develop Central Station
“The streets,blocks and buildings replicate the obvious mistakes of Barangaroo South,without the drawcard benefit of the foreshore promenade,” the submission said.
“The streets are too narrow,connections from the surrounding streets and spaces are narrow,steep and not legible,and only one clear east-west connection is provided.”
Super fund developer ISPT,which owns an office block opposite the station on Pitt Street,echoed the council’s concerns and urged greater clarity in how the redevelopment would “stitch into” the rest of the city’s core.
The state government is forging ahead with plans for more development above and around Central Station as part of its Tech Central employment zone from the CBD to South Eveleigh.NSW Government
“The current framework plan creates the risk of a relatively insular and contained precinct within the heart of Central Station,but which won’t act to lift the wider area.
“It is important that the precinct does not “turn its back” on the surrounding area,” ISPT’s submission said.
But developer lobby group Urban Taskforce said the ambitious proposal was an “exemplar” of development around train stations,and would heal an urban scar created by the railway separating inner-city suburbs.
“The density and heights envisaged in the sub precinct plan reflect its potential for residential development and employment lands,given its immediate proximity to Central Station,the Tech Precinct and three major universities,” the taskforce’s chief executive Tom Forrest said.
The NSW Heritage Council said the 18- to 39-storey towers above the rail lines should be scrapped altogether for low-rise options.
“The proposed towers outlined in the masterplan would detrimentally impact the existing significant fabric,heritage curtilage,views and vistas within the cultural landscape of Central precinct,” the council’s chair Frank Howarth said.
Transport for NSW said:“The new Central precinct will provide significant public spaces such as Central Square and Central Green,transform Central into a globally significant transport hub,provide new pedestrian streets and activated laneways that will reconnect the surrounding suburbs,drive world-class technology innovation and offer residential and affordable housing while creating close to 30,000 jobs.”
Transport for NSW is considering feedback on the proposal,which will be decided by the Planning Minister.
An artist’s impression of the proposed development of the precinct around Central Station.Supplied
The proposal includes potential for 850 dwellings,at least 15 per cent of which would be affordable housing for low-income earners. Another 15 per cent would be “diverse” housing,including student accommodation.
Housing groups and Newtown Greens MP Jenny Leong used their submissions to push for the development to include more social,public,and dedicated Aboriginal affordable housing.
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