Public square in Sydney’s CBD to be named for Queen Elizabeth II

By ERIN MODARO

A new public square in Sydney’s CBD will be named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced this morning that an area on Macquarie Street is going to be named ‘Queen Elizabeth II Place’, to recognise the late Monarch’s reign.

The space in Sydney’s inner city will be transformed into a public domain with green spaces and other significant urban design. Sections of a government building will be demolished to make way for the place.

The Premier also announced that a statue of Queen Elizabeth II would be put in the new square.

Prime Minister Albanese has called the concept a “visionary project”.

“I congratulate the Premier on coming up with this idea… this is a great global city, and we need to make the most of it” Albanese said.

Construction on the public square is expected to begin in late 2022, the Premier announced. The new square is a part of a 20-year plan to bring tourism and revitalisation to the precinct where it is planned.

“It’s going to be a great open space,” Perrottet said.

PM invites 10 Aussies to attend Queen’s funeral

Yesterday Albanese announced that 10 Australians had been selected to accompany the Prime Minister to London for the Queen’s funeral. The invitees include the Australian of the Year winners, as well as several ‘Local heroes’, and an inductee to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

The selected Australians are:

• Dylan Alcott AO – 2022 Australian of the Year

• Valmai Dempsey – 2022 Senior Australian of the Year

• Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM, 2021 Senior Australian of the Year

• Shanna Whan – 2022 Australian of the Year Local Hero

• Saba Abraham – Local Hero 2022, Queensland

• Kim Smith APM – Local Hero 2022, Tasmania

• Trudy Lin – Young Australian of the year 2022, South Australia

• Danny Abdallah – Co-Creator of i4give Day and Foundation

• Chris Waller – Inductee, Australian Racing Hall of Fame

• Professor Helen Milroy – Western Australia Australian of the Year 2021

The Prime Minister said he is “honoured” to have the chosen people accompany him to the funeral.

“Each of these extraordinary citizens represents contemporary Australia, and quintessential Australian values such as respect, inclusion and helping others.”

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral is being held at Westminster Abbey on Saturday September 19.