Metro to deliver new green open space in Sydney's CBD

23 June 2009

NSW Premier Nathan Rees today announced the Sydney Metro project would deliver an iconic public square in the CBD as part of constructing a new metro station at Town Hall.

“The new Town Hall square will help re-create the significance of this historical precinct facing the QVB building and Town Hall,” said Mr Rees.

“As commuters and tourists exit from the underground metro they will e merge into a green open space with some of our most iconic buildings front and centre.

“The addition of the park will help turn this key city intersection into a green getaway in the middle of Australia’s largest city.

“The Sydney Metro itself will revolutionise public transport and the Town Hall Square metro station and plaza will be a key part of this.

“We have begun working with the City of Sydney Council as one of the major property owners, along with other private owners and discussions will now begin with lease holders.

“The concept for the park, bounded by Pitt, Park and George Streets was part of Council’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan.

“The City of Sydney will build and manage the park when the site becomes available after the construction of the new metro station.

“Our commitment to bring this section of the Sydney Metro forward will make the park a reality ahead of time,” said Mr Rees.

Transport Minister David Campbell said that a number of properties will be required to create the park and the site will also be used as the central staging area where construction works will begin for the station.

“Construction of the station is scheduled to begin in 2010,” said Mr Campbell.

“Negotiations with property owners have just begun and provision will be made to address the inconvenience of relocation for any long term lease holders.

“Geotechnical surveys resulted in the alignment of the Town Hall Square Metro station needing to be shifted slightly south.

“Moving the station in this way means that the corner of Park and George Streets has become the perfect site for station construction.

“Some of these buildings were already earmarked for demolition and a thorough process will be used to negotiate with all owners.

“As a result of the changes, the heritage buildings in Pitt Street – including the former meeting place of the Australasian Federation League – are no longer required for the project.

Over $581 million will be spent on the Sydney Metro in the 2009/10 NSW State Budget.

Town Hall Square metro station is also part of the finalised alignment for the city’s first metro line.

It includes shortening the metro line in the north of the CBD, which will provide a better connection between the metro, the Wynyard train station and the Barangaroo precinct.

“The revised station location will shorten the walking distance between the metro, heavy rail, buses and a future Barangaroo ferry stop,” Mr Campbell said.

“This is a big infrastructure project which will create 12,500 direct and indirect jobs in the construction industry.”

Community information sessions will be held in the CBD, Balmain and Pyrmont in June and in early July, to provide the public, property owners and other stakeholders with details of the preferred alignment.

Submissions from the public in relation to the Sydney Metro project can be made now and any time up to and throughout the Environmental Assessment exhibition process, which will take place later this year.

Further details of the refinements to the station sites and alignment are available at the Sydney Metro website www.sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au.