NSW Government takes control of $150 million Sydney Town Hall Square project
The NSW Government has stepped in to oversee the planning assessment of the City of Sydney’s proposed Town Hall Square, a $94 million project aimed at creating a major public gathering space in the CBD.
NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully has accepted a recommendation from the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) to classify the proposal as a State Significant Development (SSD). This means the project will undergo a broader government assessment and public consultation before a decision is made.
The proposed 4,500-square-metre plaza would be built outside Sydney Town Hall. The City of Sydney says the space would provide a central location for community gatherings, live music, markets and other public events.
The project would require the demolition of several buildings acquired by the council since the 1980s. The council unanimously supported moving ahead with the design and construction in February, with plans opened for public feedback in August.
Mr Scully said the project's scale, potential impact on hundreds of jobs and links to state-owned transport infrastructure justified the state-level assessment.
The IPC said the square could deliver significant public and economic benefits, with its impact extending beyond the City of Sydney's local government area.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore described the project as significant and said she remained confident it would receive approval. However, she warned that the state government's intervention could delay construction and increase costs.
Ms Moore also called for a transparent and impartial assessment, raising concerns about the timing of the decision ahead of the next NSW state election.
Mr Scully rejected suggestions that the move represented a dispute between the state government and the council.
The SSD declaration does not constitute development approval. The project must still undergo further assessment before a final decision is made.
The council has estimated the project cost at $94 million, with $150 million allocated to provide for potential cost overruns.
More updates to come on AusNewsLanka.
Source : ABC News
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