Have your Say about the Future of Pyrmont

A draft Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy has been released for public feedback – up to 13 September. It is intended to set guidelines for development for the next 20 years.

You can download the strategy and supporting studies at https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/pyrmontpeninsula . There is a heavy emphasis on economic development, while stating that “For the economic vision to be realised, economic development and accompanying changes to urban character and built form will need to occur in a way that maintains or strengthens Pyrmont’s attractiveness”.

I have outlined the key sections of the draft below. The easiest way to respond is by completing the online survey (5-15 minutes): https://oeh.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1SNgo74bQJhzs2N.

You can also make an online submission: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/Pyrmont

Ideas include:

  • A Metro station
  • Using Glebe Island Bridge to enable walking and cycling between Pyrmont and White Bay/Rozelle
  • Making Pyrmont and Ultimo more pedestrian- and cycle-friendly
  • Completing the foreshore walk from the Botanic Gardens to Glebe
  • Recognising and honouring Indigenous heritage
  • Returning Wentworth Park to green open space when the current lease runs out in 2027.

Concerns include:

  • Commercial tower blocks on the waterfront at Blackwattle Bay
  • Little provision for social and affordable housing
  • Focus on the economic strategy with little reference to housing or social infrastructure, eg schools, medical facilities
  • Increase in tourism and entertainment businesses and 24/7 economy in Darling Harbour
  • The idea of Pyrmont as an extension of the CBD
  • Enabling The Star to build a (slightly lower) hotel and luxury apartment tower
  • Traffic congestion on Bank Street and Pyrmont Bridge Road
  • The proposal of a helipad on the Sofitel.

Community benefits to advocate for:

  • Complete redevelopment of the Maybanke site as an indoor/outdoor recreation centre
  • Extension of the Fig Street walkway to the CBD
  • Retention of all existing social and affordable housing plus more
  • Development of the Bank Street Foreshore Park
  • Removal of All Occasion Cruises
  • Priority for pedestrians at traffic lights
  • More ferry services
  • Bus service to Broadway shops, Sydney Uni, RPAH and back via Fish Markets
  • Redesign Union Square to make it safer for pedestrians (steps are uneven and poorly marked)
  • Redevelop Union Square as a more usable space for community events like Christmas Carols
  • A lift from the upper level of Mount Street to the lower level beside the very steep steps.

Overview of the draft

The draft sets 10 directions:

  • Jobs and industries of the future
  • Development that complements or enhances that area
  • Centres for residents, workers and visitors
  • A unified planning framework
  • A tapestry of greener public spaces and experiences
  • Creativity, culture and heritage
  • Making it easier to move around
  • Building now for a sustainable future
  • Great homes that can suit the needs of more people
  • A collaborative voice

It proposes 5 Big Moves for Pyrmont

  • A world-class harbour foreshore walk
  • A vibrant 24-hour cultural and entertainment destination
  • Connect to Metro
  • Low-carbon, high-performance precinct
  • More, better and activated public space

It focuses on 7 sub-precincts:

  • Pirrama (includes Jacksons Landing)
  • Darling Island
  • Blackwattle Bay
  • Tumbalong Park
  • Wentworth Park
  • Pyrmont Village
  • Ultimo.

There are many technical studies containing detailed, useful information, that can be downloaded from the webpage: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/pyrmontpeninsula

Mary Mortimer

Community Representative, Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy Bounce Group

Mary.mortimer@bigpond.com, 0410 679 204