At our May Council meeting we approved the City budget to go on public exhibition. Our budget and long-term financial plan play a vital role in shaping our City’s future and we would like your feedback on our exciting plans for the City.
Over the next 12 months we will invest more than $1 billion in infrastructure, services and city-shaping projects.
Looking even further ahead we are investing in some fantastic major projects over the next five years.
We will be investing $150 million for the creation of a square at Town Hall. A transformational project, decades in the making that we know has strong community support.
Unlike other major cities around the world, we don’t have a large, lively, welcoming civic space. For the growing number of people living in and visiting Sydney, that is about to change.
This central, public square with ample trees and seating will be a place to sit on a weekday lunch break, a home to large scale events and gatherings like festivals, markets, celebrations and protests, and a meeting spot as iconic as the Town Hall steps.
In addition to supporting events and providing space for pedestrians, high quality public spaces attract business and investment to our city.
We will also continue the transformation of Central Sydney through the $20 million renewal and upgrade of Sydney Square. This is another one of our valuable civic spaces between Sydney Town Hall and St Andrew’s Cathedral.
Other projects include:
- $78 million for the Mandible Street sports precinct
- $46.8 million renewing and returning Wentworth Park to the community
- $18.9 million comprehensive renewal of Belmore Park
- $18 million to continue the successful pedestrianisation of George Street
- $15 million to upgrade Victoria Park Pool and $15 million to upgrade Cook and Philip Park Pool
- $15 million to begin the upgrade of Alexandria Park.
We are not immune to the shocks and stresses that are impacting household and government budgets across Australia. But with careful planning and prudent investment over many years, we’ve built a strong financial position for our city and we are able to invest to strengthen Sydney’s international reputation as a leading global city – renowned for its lifestyle, economy, tourism, sustainability, open space and cultural life.
It underlines our commitment to delivering value for the community, ensuring we can meet future demand while maintaining our existing assets and services to a high standard.
I encourage you to have a read and let us know what you think before we sign off the final budget.
