Pyrmont’s future prosperity takes shape

The final strategy for Pyrmont and Ultimo envisages a global entertainment and cultural hub with enhanced streetscapes, parklands and more open space.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the final Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy provides more certainty and clarity regarding the future of the CBD’s western gateway.

“We’ve listened to community and business feedback and have adapted the plan so that Pyrmont remains a prosperous and unique part of Sydney,” Mr Stokes said.

“Striking a balance in planning is never easy and the unique geography and history of Pyrmont’s settlement pattern provided a particular challenge. Our fundamental task was to encourage economic development while enlivening the peninsula, boosting jobs and providing for more quality public open spaces for everyone to enjoy.

“Our plan will unlock public access to Sydney’s foreshore from Blackwattle Bay to Woollomooloo Bay since the 1800s.

“The pandemic has shown us the importance of public space and this strategy provides hectares more open space, uninterrupted foreshore and plenty of community infrastructure to support new and existing development.”

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Place Strategy confirmed the importance of the peninsula as a hub for economic growth.

“Pyrmont is the real gem of Sydney and for too long its potential has been overlooked and underutilised,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This strategy will boost the economy and at the same time ensure we improve the area and build a gateway from the western harbour, through Barangaroo and the CBD, all the way to the Opera House.”

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will now prepare master plans for the Pyrmont Peninsula’s seven sub-precincts – Pirrama, Darling Island, Blackwattle Bay, Tumbalong Park, Wentworth Park, Pyrmont Village and Ultimo.

Details in the final strategy include:

Blackwattle Bay

  • A new active transport link from Blackwattle Bay to the Fish Market Light Rail Station
  • Building heights limited to 120m – 156m
  • ‘Low-line’ beneath the Anzac Bridge pylons and Western Distributor overpass, including a ribbon of public, recreational space

Wentworth Park

  • Facilitate the return of the Wentworth Park greyhound track land and the temporary pop up school once their terms expire as newly activated, publicly accessible open space as part of a larger and enhanced parkland
  • A working group with government agencies and stakeholders to be established to assist in identifying a suitable alternate site for greyhound racing

Harbourside

  • Publicly accessible open space on rooftop areas
  • Protection of sunlight on the harbour foreshore
  • Building heights below 170m

The Star

  • A 110m tower on the northern end, on the condition it is a six-star hotel (maximum height of 60 metres to remain in place for any other development type)
  • Tower on southern end of site maximum 140m
  • Improved public spaces ie landscaping, increase in tree canopy
  • Reduced street parking and relocated tourist bus lay overs on site
  • Fund upgrades in surrounding public spaces, including improved landscaping, additional greenery, increase in tree canopy and upgrade to public seating and congregation spaces

More details are available in the final Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy is available at: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/pyrmontpeninsula

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