Last night the Sydney City Council endorsed the scoping and staging of the much-needed upgrade of Harris Street.
The Harris Street corridor will be enhanced by eight key projects from Ultimo’s University Precinct East-West Link (Ultimo Road to Thomas St) to the Pyrmont Point area (Union Square to Pirrama Road). The good news for the Pyrmont Community is that priority is to be given to the Pyrmont Village project in Harris Street between Bridge Road and Union Square.
This latter area has been the subject of footpath disruption due to poorly restored excavations by Energy Australia. Pyrmont Progress has argued that Pyrmont’s village centre must also offer a range of diverse shopping and business facilities so that most of the needs of local residents and workers can be provided locally. Further information can be obtained on the City Improvements page of the council’s website at:
The target dates for the stages of Pyrmont Village project are:
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Detailed design and community consultation (April to May)
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Council endorsement of detailed design (end June 2008)
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Tenders for construction (July 2008)
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Contract approval (August 2008)
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Construction start (September 2008)
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Completion of Pyrmont Village project (December 2008)
Pyrmont Progress submitted to the Council's Environment and Heritage Committee that progress towards improving the village centre is warmly welcomed. However, cosmetic improvements are necessary but not sufficient for the creation of a village centre. Local businesses must be able to operate successfully and that would entail examining development controls that inhibit the ability of businesses to show their goods and services and provide ready access to their premises. Pyrmont Progress also submitted that the presence of several derelict and underutilised properties on Harris Street is a dead hand which impedes our progress toward a thriving village heart, and encouraged Council to address this important issue.