Plan to transform Sydney's Central Station into vibrant destination

An ambitious NSW Government plan to reimagine Sydney's Central Station, with a hub of shops, restaurants, office space and housing constructed over the rail corridor has been revealed.

The project is anticipated to span 10 to 15 years and will also result in new parkland connecting surrounding suburbs.

Three new parks are planned - Central Green, Central Square and Mortuary Station Garden, for locals and visitors to enjoy along with new community, cultural and recreation spaces.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet noted "This won't be transformed next week. But over years, what you will see here is a completely transformed civic space, which will be beautiful, which then derives culture and character.

"This is the busiest train station in Australia, but we don't want people just to come through, we want to enliven it, revitalise it and set out a brighter future for the Sydney CBD.

"We want this not just to be a tourist attraction, but an attraction for people right across our city."

The project will include 850 new dwellings, 15% of which will be allocated as affordable housing and another 15% will be diverse housing types such as build to rent and student dwellings.

The project will renew 24 hectares of government-owned land with 15 new buildings ranging in size from four to 34 storeys, extending the southern end of the CBD.

NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the Central Precinct Renewal will extend the southern CBD and use transport assets to shape almost 24 hectares of empty space into something magnificent.

Minister Stokes added “the masterplan celebrates the heritage of the precinct while also offering a grand new public square, three new parks, new community, social services hubs as well as at least 30 percent of affordable and diverse housing to better meet the needs of all sections of the community.

“This proposal will heal parts of our city that have been torn apart since the railway divided Surry Hills from Ultimo back in 1874. The proposal includes multiple new over-rail connections including Devonshire Street bridge, to enhance pedestrian and bicycle access through Central Precinct and to surrounding neighbourhoods.”

The project is open to community feedback until 19th September.

Read more about the Central Precinct Renewal project 

Image: Indicative artist's impression of Central Square - a new square at Central Station