New renders of Sydney’s proposed new Town Hall Square have been unveiled, showcasing designs in the heart of the CBD that aim to boost tourism.
The public square will sit opposite Town Hall, with the new design showing a curved plaza surrounded by 30 native Australian trees.
Chairs and tables will also be included in the new space of more than 4500sq metres.
The City of Sydney has committed a huge $150m to the project, with demolition set for 2028 and the project expected to be completed by 2031.
Tourism & Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said the benefits of the new square would be felt far beyond just the CBD.
“This is a big moment for the city. This new square will become somewhere locals love and visitors put straight on their Sydney itinerary, giving them another reason to come into the city, stay longer and spend more,” she said.
The new area could transform the role of one of the busiest parts of the city, Ms Osmond said.
“Thousands of people move through this area every day. The opportunity now is to turn that foot traffic into a destination where people want to meet, eat, celebrate and experience Sydney,” she said.
“This will attract even more investment into the surrounding area, helping the CBD thrive.
“Sydney is the front door to Australia and what happens here matters to the entire national tourism industry.
“A better Sydney experience helps sell the whole country, giving international visitors more reason to come to Australia and discover the rest of our spectacular nation.”
The new space also has the potential to host major events.
“Markets, festivals, concerts, sporting live sites and cultural events can turn this into one of Sydney’s most exciting places,” Ms Osmond said.
“And given we’re facing a highly competitive global tourism market, it’s great to see Sydney invest in experiences that will compete for attention with the world’s leading visitor destinations.”
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