Central Business District

Suburbs: Sydney, Haymarket, Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks

Localities: Circular Quay, Chinatown and Darling Harbour

Local Action Plan

Download the Local Action Plan here as a PDF document.

Local Action Plan CBD | PDF 428Kb

About the CBD

The CBD is home to many residents and workers who love its vitality, convenience and distinctive lifestyle. The core residential population is made up of long term city dwellers and many renters, ranging from executives to students.

Apartments now dot the City, built in response to changes in the planning controls during the 1990s. Major redevelopment in the CBD’s south is transforming previously derelict sites into Australia’s most densely populated precinct.

Chinatown

Chinatown – originally located in the Rocks, then near Market Street at Darling Harbour – became centred around Dixon Street in the 1920s. Sussex, George, Factory, Goulburn, Little Hay, Pitt, Thomas and Harbour Streets are all now part of Chinatown. Market City, with the old Paddy’s Market, is a central meeting place, surrounded by apartment blocks and the Chinese restaurant precinct. UTS is a key landmark and destination. The Garden of Friendship (Chinese Garden) was a gift from China for the Bicentennial, marking Sydney’s important place in Australia’s relationship with China.

Haymarket

Haymarket, once only known for Paddy’s Market and theatres, is now an integral part of Chinatown and a place where students gather and live, given its proximity to UTS and the University of Sydney. The residential population continues to grow, making Belmore Park as an important neighbourhood green space

The Rocks

The Rocks, site of Australia’s first Colonial settlement, is a vibrant pocket of historic homes and lanes, cafes, restaurants, galleries and tourist shops. While resident action in the 1970s helped preserve much of the area’s heritage, traditional working-class residents have largely been displaced by offices and retail. The Rocks remains a vibrant and diverse residential and business community,including public housing tenants and homeowners, short-stay tourists and workers passionate about the area.

Millers Point

Millers Point also enjoys a mixed and harmonious community with a passion for the area’s heritage. It is distinguished by its quiet residential and historical character, housing built from the sandstone of the Argyle Cut, corner pubs and the footings of the Harbour Bridge. On the ridge, old and new terraces stand by new apartments and warehouse style offices. The State Government’s planned “Barangaroo” redevelopment of East Darling Harbour dockyards will bring many new residents and workers, adding to the high rise buildings of the past decade, particularly along Kent Street.

Dawes Point

Dawes Point, a onetime military and naval centre, is home to grand Georgian houses and terraces owned by the Department of Housing. Once used for defence, Observatory Hill is the neighbourhood green space. While the mighty footings of the Harbour Bridge dominate the area, the simple sandstone buildings and stairs, the warehouses and wharves, and the corner pubs reflect the area’s valued character and history.

Walsh Bay

Walsh Bay, with the development of the Hickson Road wharves, has become an exciting cultural precinct, with a lively mix of residents, workers and visitors.

Shared Community Values

As a result of Council’s review of the material gathered during the consultation process, shared community values have been developed as a framework for the long-term action for the City East. Below is a snapshot of your values, aspirations and some suggested ideas reflecting them.

Liveable – safe, clean and quiet

“Most beautiful place in the world to live.”

Promote respect for others
Promote keeping the City clean
Enforce noise controls

Celebrate outdoor life in the City

“Sydney is an out and about place. People here love large public events and believe they add a real dimension to the City. ”

More intimate, inviting public spaces
More play areas for children
More walking streets and shared zones
More access to the waterfront for walking
Pockets of open space should all be inviting
More seating in City streets

Sustainable and green City

“We shouldn’t underestimate the distinctiveness of our City. Sydney does have an identifiable buzz.”

Public transport improvements, especially light rail
Improve laneways
Street tree planting and legacy boulevard planting
Park greening program
More and better cycling tracks
Economic and tourism strategies
More motor cycle parking zones
Reduce CBD vehicle traffic

History, culture and creativity in the City

“The Rocks is the birth place of Australia…heritage buildings and old pubs…keep all the cobbled streets.”

Community spaces for cultural activities
Heritage and community interpretation through
public art and directional signage and streetscape
improvements
Keep the houses of Millers Point and Dawes Point
Tell the history and stories of early Sydney
Celebrate 75 years of the Harbour Bridge
More public art in the City
Establish a major events calendar and group to promote cultural tourism and events
Improved exhibition and convention facilities
Better promotion of Sydney nationally and internationally
Strict controls on heritage sites

Diversity, accessibility and inclusiveness in the City

“A combination of tranquil villages adjoining a bustling metropolis.”

Youth strategies
Seniors strategy
Responsible pet ownership and harmonious and equitable access to parks for all
Community health and service projects
Provide meeting places for resident groups and neighbourhood associations and activities
Programs for children in the CBD
Meet your neighbours
Information exchange with what’s on

Downloads

CBD Community Forum 2008 | PDF 23Mb

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Last Updated: Wednesday 6 August, 2008