September 1, 2015
Chinatown Public Domain Plan under review with major urban developements surrounding Haymarket
Chinatown will become more pedestrian-friendly under the new plans.
A MOVE to connect Haymarket to Darling Harbour is currently being examined as the City of Sydney revisits its Chinatown Public Domain Plan.
The plan, which was originally adopted by council in 2010, has been placed under review due to the amount of changes and developments in the city’s south, including the International Convention Centre, the completion of the Goods Line and the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the review presented the City of Sydney with a rare chance to make changes to the 2010 domain plan.
A tree-lined boulevarde on Quay St will connect Haymarket with Darling Harbour.
“The draft plan is on public exhibition and people can view it on sydneyyour say.com.au,” Cr Moore said.
“We are updating the 2010 plan, which had such strong support from the local community, and it was about improving the environment and making it more attractive for pedestrians who are the ones who primarily visit the area; certainly not changing it or sanitising it.
SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE REPLACED BY APARTMENTS
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“It’s about increasing the space for pedestrians and cyclists along key routes including Hay, Harbour and Quay streets and upgrading smaller connective streets.
“The works we will do will focus on widening the footpaths, installing new lighting, planting more trees and installing cycling amenities throughout the area. We have already done a lot of work in Chinatown and it has been well received so we are now making the most of the opportunities that have been provided.”
The Goods Line has converted disused railway tracks running through Ultimo.
“The works we will do will focus on widening the footpaths, installing new lighting, planting more trees and installing cycling amenities throughout the area. We have already done a lot of work in Chinatown and it has been well received so we are now making the most of the opportunities that have been provided.”
The International Convention Centre Hotel will change the face of Darling Harbour when completed.
Cr Moore said the proposed upgrades will also re-establish a direct thoroughfare between Chinatown and Darling Harbour.
“We will create a tree-lined boulevard along Quay St and that will connect Haymarket with Darling Harbour for the first time in decades,” Cr Moore said.
TELL US: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CHINATOWN PLANS?
“So there will be a direct link from Chinatown to the harbour foreshore. It will also link Chinatown to Railway Square.
“Chinatown is a very important precinct and it is important that it is linked up with Darling Harbour and the CBD.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
“Darling Harbour previously turned its back on the city and wasn’t connected so we want to make the most of this rare opportunity to reconnect it with the city.”
Haymarket Chamber of Commerce president Simon Chan welcomed the City taking a second look at the popular precinct.
“We welcome City of Sydney’s initiatives in improving the public domain of the Haymarket and City South area especially with significant changes taking place with Darling Square, Darling Harbour Live as well as the Light Rail infrastructure projects,” he said.
“We support the Thomas St upgrade currently under construction and we are concerned about the interaction and connection between Darling Square and Chinatown and the activation of the street frontage at Harbour St where the new Darling Square redevelopment is located.
“We are in consultation with Lend Lease and City of Sydney and are working towards an appropriate solution to address the issues.”
Haymarket Chamber of Commerce president Simon Chan.
