“These changes all significantly increase residential and employment floor space and pedestrian numbers, increasing demands on the public domain,” she said.
Moore said areas like Hunter Street would face a massive influx of pedestrians when the metro station was opened.
“Thousands of commuters from Sydney’s west will come and go from the new metro exits at George and O’Connell streets, and we have to ensure the space is welcoming, walkable and safe,” she said. “We also want to provide additional space for people and activation on Loftus Street.”
A council report said the new metro station would significantly increase demand on streets such as Hunter and George. It said the proposals in the draft plans were intended to illustrate potential designs for the streets to spark debate about the future of the area.
Lobby group Business Sydney has welcomed the proposed extension of pedestrianised areas but wants the Bridge and Grosvenor street crossing of George Street to remain open to traffic.
A render of extended footpaths with trees and seating on Hunter Street between Pitt and Castlereagh streets,Credit:City of Sydney
“Without keeping the Bridge-Grosvenor street crossing open, getting across the city will be almost impossible as King Street is one-way eastward, and the Circular Quay end of the CBD is already virtually closed to east-west traffic,” Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said.
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