Better streets and spaces

Crown Street to be transformed by extensive upgrade

We’re asking for community feedback on our plans to upgrade a 1 kilometre stretch from Devonshire Street to Oxford Street.

Crown Street artist's impression

The proposed upgrade is part of our plans to make city streets greener and safer while creating new opportunities for local businesses.

There’ll be more street trees to boost canopy cover by 50%, wider footpaths and paving and intersection enhancements to provide more space for people walking.

“We’re working hard to improve our streets and public spaces to make them more inviting and sustainable for our residents, visitors and workers,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“We can clearly see the enormous benefit that creating quieter, safer streets, wider footpaths and planting new trees and garden beds have for local communities.”

We’re taking feedback on the concept design until 19 September.

Proposed view of Crown Street and Fitzroy Street.
Proposed view of Crown Street and Fitzroy Street.

More space for communities

The proposed improvements include: - removing timber electrical poles and placing overhead electrical cables underground - new multifunction smartpoles with LED streetlights - installing new footpath where there’s currently pop-up alfresco dining - footpath widening, kerb upgrades and pedestrian ramp upgrades - replacing the existing signal crossing at Crown Street Public School with a raised zebra crossing - new garden beds along the street, new bubblers, bike racks and seating. View the detailed concept design and provide your feedback on our online map.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore will also be attending a community event on 27 August at Shannon Reserve to discuss the upgrades. Visit the pop-up stall between 11am and 1pm to find out more about the project.

Following the consultation, we’ll report all feedback and design changes to Council and develop a detailed design.

Improving streets across our area

If endorsed, the $32 million transformation of Crown Street is expected to start in 2023.

Lachie Thompson from The Winery said the upgrades had the potential to transform the area which would benefit local business.

“I would love to see a bit more al fresco dining, a bit more greenery, just so people have the ability to hang out and to make the whole area more of a destination,” Mr Thompson said.

“It could encourage people to come here, not to just do one thing, but to say, ‘Hey, we can go to Crown Street, maybe we’ll grab a coffee, maybe we’ll grab a few drinks.’

Proposed view of Goulburn Street and Crown Street.
Proposed view of Goulburn Street and Crown Street.

“We’re constantly adapting post-Covid and trying to find our new normal. I definitely think these public spaces can have a positive benefit for business.”

The upgrade is part of our ongoing improvement and modernisation of our local streets. We’ve been working to create wider footpaths for outdoor dining and more trees to create cool canopies.

Our 6 block refurbishment of Macleay Street Potts Point is almost complete. In the past 12 months, we’ve completed 34 footway upgrades in Glebe, Beaconsfield, Newtown, Waterloo, Glebe, Alexandria, Surry Hills, Centennial Park, and Pyrmont. We’ve also upgraded footpaths along Elizabeth Street and Sussex Street in the city centre.

Have your say on the proposed upgrade of Crown Street. The consultation is open until 19 September.

Published 11 August 2022