[Sydney] $727 million infrastructure boot to central Sydney

The City of Sydney is investing another $727 million on major projects that will transform central Sydney over the next 10 years.

Projects include safer and more accessible streets and pedestrian walkways, new and refurbished childcare and community centres, bold public artworks and revitalised parks and streetscapes, involving an investment of $1 billion over the life of the projects.

These projects are part of the $1.8 billion the City has set aside for a building and construction program over the next decade. Nearly 400 projects will provide new and renovated facilities for communities and businesses across the local government area.

City of Sydney CEO, Monica Barone, said the City had delivered hundreds of important projects including parks, playgrounds, childcare, pools, libraries, theatres and community and cultural spaces over the last 10 years, and was now working on hundreds more for Sydneysiders to enjoy into the future.

“These state-of-the-art community facilities and infrastructure projects will help create more welcoming and connected neighbourhoods that meet the needs of our growing population of families and workers,” Ms Barone said.

“From transforming George Street and its surrounding laneways and continuing development of the Green Square town centre, to creating new childcare centres and dozens of parks, the City is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for central Sydney residents.

“Our 10-year financial plan is a huge investment that will nurture the city’s liveability, boost the economy, encourage tourism, improve sustainability, create new public open spaces and enhance our cultural life.”

More than 30 projects in central Sydney are part of the City’s capital works program and dozens more are in the pipeline for delivery over the next 10 years. They include:

• $355 million as part of our $540 million commitment for the continued development of the Green Square town centre, including a new library and plaza, aquatic centre, creative hub, public parks and more;
• $152 million as part of our $220 million commitment towards the transformation of George Street and surrounding laneways as part of the NSW Government’s light rail project;
• $54 million on granite paving for footpaths in the city centre;
• $47 million as part of our $83 million commitment on stormwater drainage improvements in Green Square and the Ashmore Estate in Erskineville, and a further $64 million as part of our $70 million commitment in asset renewal of stormwater;
• $22 million as part of our $33 million commitment to integrate the Barangaroo development with Millers Point, including wider footpaths, more green space, improved cycle path and lighting;
• $5 million as part of our $14 million commitment to provide a total of 156 places at childcare centres in Alexandria and Green Square, which is part of our overall $56.1 million commitment to additional childcare centres;
• $750,000 as part of our $1 million commitment to construct a community hub as part of a permanent City Farm in Sydney Park;
• $10 million as part of our $14 million commitment on new basketball facilities, parking, a kiosk and landscaping at Perry Park in Alexandria;
• $380,000 as part of our $466,000 commitment to install new play equipment, pathways, fencing, seating and landscaping at the Renwick Street playground in Alexandria;
• $2 million as part of our $6 million commitment to connect the Bourke Street and Bourke Road cycleways in Alexandria and complete a seven-kilometre corridor from Mascot to Woolloomooloo;
• $4 million as part of our $5 million commitment to upgrade the pathways and bike link under the Western Distributor between Grosvenor and Kent streets in the city centre;
• $2 million in Redfern to improve walking and cycling passageways at Lawson Street;
• $4 million as part of our $7 million commitment for upgrades at Argyle Street in The Rocks and Hosking Place and Penfold Laneway in the city centre, including new stairs, improved pedestrian access, a playground, lighting and traffic calming;
• $10 million as part of our $18 million commitment on upgrade works in Hyde Park, including the restoration of Fraser Fountain, and new pathways and landscaping in Hyde Park North; and
• $15 million as part of our $23 million commitment on public domain improvements in Chinatown.

The 10-year corporate plan includes more than 400 projects across the wider City of Sydney area. They include:

• $328 million for public domain improvements, including footpaths, roadways and paving;
• $274 million to upgrade the City’s parks and green spaces;
• $97 million on cycleways, providing cycling connections between important destinations;
• $2 million in the next financial year to support local village economies; and
• $2 million every year on planting new street trees – over the next year, the City will plant 700 more native and exotic street trees across the local area as part of its plan to increase the city’s canopy size by 50 per cent over the next 15 years.

Source: News Release, City of Sydney, 31st August, 2016

http://www.sydneymedia.com.au/727-million-infrastructure-boost-to-central-sydney/