Sydney’s George Street evolution from traffic dominated thoroughfare to retail and hospitality hotspot will soon be complete, with a planned revitalisation of the Northern section between Essex Street and Jack Mundey Place in The Rocks.
The works by the Minns Labor Government and City of Sydney mark the final stage of one of Sydney’s most significant city-shaping projects, with more than 39,000 square metres of former roadway transformed into a permanent pedestrian-friendly corridor that stretches 2.5km from Central Station to the Rocks.
The planned works will be delivered in two key sections:
- From Essex Street to Alfred Street the City of Sydney will extend the George Street pedestrian boulevard, which runs through the heart of the CBD. This will involve:
- Closing the eastern side of George Street to traffic, converting it to a wide footpath with seating, trees, lighting and paving up to the light rail tracks.
- Maintaining a southbound single vehicle lane on the western side of George Street.
- Removing the traffic lights at Essex and George Street, and Alfred and George Street.
- From Alfred Street to Jack Mundey Place the Minns Labor Government will further extend George Street’s revitalisation northwards. This will involve:
- Making the road closure permanent between Alfred Street and Jack Mundey Place to support outdoor dining and visitation, building on the success of the temporary initiative introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- While one-way southbound vehicle access will be maintained, the other lane of traffic will now be permanently repurposed.
The Rocks precinct welcomed 14.3 million visitors last financial year, with food and beverage operators attributing up to 35% of their annual turnover to the outdoor dining arrangements.
The permanent pedestrian and outdoor dining zone are expected to further boost visitor numbers and contribute to the precinct’s ongoing revitalisation, strengthening The Rocks’ position as one of the world’s premiere heritage precincts.
Construction will commence in 2027, subject to approvals, and is expected to be completed by late 2028.
The George Street upgrade project is supported by a $15.8 million investment from the NSW Government, with the majority of the George Street North pedestrian boulevard between Essex and Alfred Streets being funded by a $10 million investment from the City of Sydney.
Extensive community engagement undertaken in 2021 has helped shape The Rocks project, with surveys, workshops, pop-up events, public submissions and ongoing consultation providing valuable insights and directly informing the development of the design.
The City of Sydney’s proposal is now open for feedback until 5pm on Monday 26 October at sydneyyoursay.com.au.
Minister for Transport, Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham said:
“George Street used to be a smoggy gauntlet, more popular with taxis and buses than human beings. It’s now a vibrant place that attracts shoppers, workers and tourists.
“The reclaimed outdoor dining space in the Rocks has been a great boost for this historic harbourside precinct and this work will lock in those gains and make the area even more appealing.
“George Street just gets better and better, and we’re looking forward to seeing that transformation reach the Rocks.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“This is great news for outdoor dining and vibrancy in the centre of Sydney and with the historic precinct attracting record crowds last financial year this investment just makes sense.
“This work will expand the popular dining and shopping precinct in The Rocks delivering a more accessible, vibrant and welcoming place so locals and visitors alike can, drink, dine and explore.”
Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore AO said:
“The transformation of George Street has completely changed the way people experience our city. What was once a noisy, polluted traffic jam is now a welcoming boulevard where people can walk, meet, shop, dine and enjoy our city.
“This final section represents a defining moment in Sydney’s evolution as a global city – we’ve created the kind of public space people expect in leading international cities.”
Executive Director of Business Sydney Paul Nicolaou said:
“Business Sydney strongly supports the next stage of George Street’s transformation because great public spaces are fundamental to a successful global city and to the future of Sydney’s CBD economy.
“Making the northern end of George Street more pedestrian-friendly will create greater opportunities for retail, hospitality, outdoor dining and events, while making the CBD more attractive to workers, visitors and investors.”
“The experience in The Rocks demonstrates the real economic value of getting this right, with 14.3 million visitors last financial year and hospitality operators reporting that outdoor dining can contribute up to 35% of their annual turnover.
