$34 million makeover for Crown Street underway at last

By ROBBIE MASON

Construction has commenced at last for a multi-million-dollar revamp of Crown Street in Surry Hills following an extended six month period of community consultation. Lord Mayor Clove Moore turned the first sod yesterday to mark the occasion.

The $34 million makeover will add wider footpaths, underground power lines, garden beds, mores street trees, street furniture and other amenities to Crown Street. When completed, the road will have 50 percent more tree canopy cover and 10 extra car spaces.

The Lord Mayor said, “Crown Street is the heart of Surry Hills, and this upgrade will make it greener, safer and more attractive.”

“By improving main streets and providing more space outdoors there is both extra room for businesses and residents. This encourages customers to linger, increasing trade in a pleasant environment.”

In September last year, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on concerns among local business owners over the urban renewal project. These fears centred on the project’s perceived favouritism towards hospitality outlets and evening dining, as per an “eat street” model with outdoor dining, and the disruptiveness and timing of planned construction work, which comes soon after years of light rail construction work on Devonshire Street.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore has allayed fears over disruption, stating, “construction will be carefully staged to limit disruption to businesses and residents.”

The project underwent an extended consultation period, and the City of Sydney Council commissioned an independent peer review of the original design, which resulted in a revised design.

According to final engagement report, there was strong overall support for the original design. 76 percent of survey respondents supported the proposal, while only 14.5 percent opposed it.

Paul Gambin, owner of new restaurant Tongue Thai’d Eatery, expressed excitement over the project.

“A more modern dining experience along Crown Street with the European style alfresco will make the whole area more customer friendly,” Mr Gambin said.

The revamp reflects the City of Sydney Council’s preference for greening the inner city and creating streets friendlier to pedestrians and cyclists.

The Lord Mayor said, “excitingly, the upgrade will also provide a blueprint for how we can make temporary on-street dining spots permanent where appropriate – with open, paved spaces bounded on all sides by trees and plants. This will create inviting, multi-use spaces where people can walk and gather when they are not being used by businesses.”

Construction work is expected to last six months, weather and utility approvals permitting.