Approval Granted for Sydney's Haymarket Project

Sydney's Haymarket and Chinatown revitalization plan has received unanimous approval from the City of Sydney Council. Valued at $44 million, the Haymarket and Chinatown Revitalisation Strategy and Public Domain Plan resulted from an inclusive consultation process, which engaged over 1,150 residents, businesses, and community members in initial discussions. Additionally, the plan received 350 responses during the formal public exhibition.
The Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, expressed the community's positive response to the city's commitment to enhancing outdoor spaces for pedestrians, promoting creative lighting, supporting local businesses, and acknowledging Asian culture. Moore emphasized the significance of Haymarket as a prominent urban village renowned for its Asian food, cultures, and communities, both locally and internationally. However, she acknowledged the challenges faced by the area in recent years.
Moore stated that the timing is ideal for a comprehensive plan for the region, and the community has enthusiastically collaborated to honor the precinct's past while ensuring its future. The extensive consultation process revealed the community's aspirations for a diverse, welcoming, and safe area that is easily navigable. Furthermore, the community expressed a desire for a variety of food options and a streetscape that pays tribute to the social and cultural history of the area.
Sydney's revitalization plan for Haymarket and Chinatown encompasses several significant elements. Key features include the redevelopment of Dixon Street, the enhancement of the streetscape to highlight the cultural importance of Thai Town, and the redesign of Sussex Street to promote walking, cycling, and green spaces. Additionally, the plan involves transforming Belmore Park into a vibrant green oasis, implementing a creative lighting master plan to showcase the cultural aspects of different streets, and upgrading public areas at Harbour, Goulburn, Ultimo, Quay, and Hay streets.
The plan also aims to provide increased support for precinct events and activities, introduce changes to planning regulations to facilitate the preservation of the area's cultural heritage by building owners, and encourage the installation of dynamic building signs and the restoration of smaller structures.
According to Lord Mayor Clover Moore, the community expressed a clear desire to prioritize the revitalization of Dixon Street, the heart of Chinatown. Work has already begun on this aspect, including the restoration of the iconic Ceremonial Gates scheduled for next year. Public domain improvements to strengthen the identity of Thai Town on Campbell Street will also commence.
The city will actively explore ways to improve community spaces, promote cultural activities, encourage property owners to renovate dilapidated buildings, and ensure vacant spaces are utilized. The final strategy will also include innovative approaches to enhance maintenance and waste management in the area.
The City of Sydney has been investing in public spaces in the historic Haymarket precinct since 2010, leading to a significant transformation of the area. Previous initiatives include the $43.5 million project to pedestrianize George Street south, the creation of new public spaces at Thomas Street, the implementation of public art projects, and upgrades to local streets like Kimber Lane.
Lord Mayor Moore stated that the new plans will build upon this work and further emphasize the collaboration of diverse cultural groups in celebrating the precinct's heritage, history, and unique characteristics. Over the next decade, the City of Sydney will allocate millions of dollars to upgrade Goulburn, Sussex, Harbour, Quay, and Thomas streets, complete public domain improvements, restore light catenaries on Dixon Street, and upgrade Belmore Park.