New park provides pedestrian link to Barangaroo headland

One of Sydney’s most historic areas will get a new park and playground as part of a major street upgrade to improve pedestrian access to Barangaroo.

The City of Sydney will improve Argyle Street in The Rocks to create a better pedestrian link between Circular Quay and the new headland reserve now under construction on the northern tip of Barangaroo.

As part of the work, footpaths in Argyle Street will be widened and repaved to provide a flat, even surface ideal for walking and pushing prams.

A large bus turning area will be turned into a new park of around 1,000 metres2Sydney with a playground outside the Abraham Mott Hall.

New seating will be installed, new trees planted and wheelchair access provided from the park to the Abraham Mott Hall and the Harry Jensen Community Centre. Street lighting will be upgraded with energy-efficient LED fittings.

Up to eight buses currently use the former tram turning area as a layover, and discussions are underway with the State Transit Authority and Transport for NSW about relocating the buses to Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the changes will be a great improvement for the community in one of Sydney’s most historic areas.

Lord Mayor Moore stated “this sensitive design will maintain the character and identity of Millers Point, a heritage conservation area, while providing more open space and a better experience for pedestrians.

“When the headland park at Barangaroo is complete, and the commercial area in Barangaroo South opened, many more people will be using this part of the city every day.

“The last big makeover for these streets was undertaken when tramlines were laid, which is why the roadways are so wide. These improvements will change that by widening the footpaths and making the walk to and from Barangaroo safer and more appealing,” she said.

Plans were presented to Council follow extensive community consultation that saw 30 submissions from the public. The Millers Point Leaseholders Groups said the bus layover dominates the public domain and they welcomed its proposed removal.