Plans for a new public square opposite Sydney’s Town Hall have been thrown into uncertainty after the New South Wales planning minister declared the project a state‑significant development, taking the approval process away from the City of Sydney. The council, led by Lord Mayor Clover Moore, had unveiled renderings in August of a semi‑circular plaza that would project eastward toward Hyde Park, featuring a fountain and a grove of native trees. The council had expected the project to be completed by 2031, with demolition and construction estimated at $150 million.
The proposal has sparked a dispute between Moore and Premier Chris Minns, who has criticised the plan as “too expensive, majorly disruptive for Sydney” and warned it would close nearby businesses. The square has also become a flashpoint in a broader culture war, with the Sydney tabloid The Daily Telegraph publishing AI‑generated images of the space “heaving with protesters.” The council has faced criticism from the paper for earlier proposals, such as an Oxford Street cycleway introduced in 2020.
On Friday, Planning Minister Paul Scully announced that, after advice from the NSW Independent Planning Commission, the project would now be assessed under the state‑significant development pathway. The minister said the process would allow a rigorous whole‑of‑government assessment and give individuals, the community and stakeholders a chance to comment. Under the SSD route, the minister is the consent authority unless the IPC is delegated that role.
Moore welcomed the decision, stating the city remains confident in the proposal’s merits and has saved money over 40 years to deliver the project debt‑free. She called on the minister to commit to a transparent, fair assessment that does not delay progress. The IPC noted the project involves complex interfaces with state‑owned transport infrastructure and would deliver significant civic, social and economic benefits, including increased tourism and cultural activity.
