Paving the way to a new Chinatown

Proposed renovations to three Chinatown laneways mark the beginning of the $9 million Chinatown Public Domain Improvement Plan.

Little Hay Street, Factory Street and Kimber Lane are set to become more pedestrian-friendly, as part of Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s Sustainable Sydney 2030.

“The community told us they wanted more pedestrian-friendly streets, new spaces for markets, festivals and outdoor dining, and better walking and cycling connections in Chinatown,” Cr Moore said.

Little Hay Street, connecting Sussex and Harbour Streets, will be a wider, public meeting space, lined with trees and outdoor seating for cafés and restaurants. It will have new decorative lighting, benches, bins, bicycle parking and pedestrian signals at the Harbour Street intersection. Fifteen car spaces will be removed, with remaining spaces set into two-car bays.

The diminutive Factory Street, off Harbour Street, will be a paved area shared between vehicles and pedestrians. The design features modern seating tapered up the incline, shady trees, decorative lighting and new traffic signals at the Harbour Street intersection.

Stenciled Chinese patterns will lie underfoot the long and narrow Kimber Lane, connecting Hay and Factory Streets, and a 10km/hour speed limit imposed.

Haymarket Chamber of Commerce President, Brad Chan said the changes will encourage business in the area.

“Probably the last time anything was done was around the Olympics, so I guess Council recognised the need for a re-design,” he said.

The laneway designs will be on public display until Monday 12 April, before presentation for Council approval.

If approved, construction could begin early next year.

The entire Chinatown Public Domain Plan was developed through consultation with local businesses, residents and visitors and is scheduled for Council consideration later this year.

Cr Moore believes the redesign will enhance Sydney’s global economic and cultural capital.

“These laneway revitalisation and improvement works are projects we can start on right away, and I encourage all City of Sydney residents to view and comment on the designs,” she said.