City Reveals Big Plans for Chinatown, Haymarket

A multi-million-dollar strategy to revitalise Sydney’s Haymarket and Chinatown districts has been unveiled by the city.

The $44-million masterplan will “activate and improve streets and public spaces, shopfronts, parks and lighting,” according to the City of Sydney.

After a consultation process involving more than 1150 residents, businesses and community members, the city has prepared a Haymarket and Chinatown revitalisation strategy and updated its Haymarket public domain plan.

Initiatives as part of it include 

• A grants program to help Dixon Street businesses upgrade and improve shopfront facades

• Changes to planning controls to encourage investment in small business renewal and strengthen cultural heritage

• Significant public domain improvements, lighting and new public art

• Grants for community-led cultural events and activations

• A City of Sydney co-ordinator to assist local businesses and community collaboration.

▲ A render of Campbell Street after the proposed revitalisation.

Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said the significant investment and work would safeguard the historic precinct’s success into the future.

“Haymarket is one of Sydney’s most iconic urban villages and has long been recognised as a focal point for Asian food, cultures, and communities both locally and internationally,” she said.

“But the past few years have been incredibly challenging for the area, which was among the first areas in the city to be impacted by the pandemic.

“Businesses in Chinatown suffered greatly with venues capped or closed, people working from home and travel halted.

“Haymarket is also going through significant change. Major NSW Government developments such as Tech Central are under way, as well as major private developments that represent a vote of confidence in the precinct.

“That’s why this is a perfect time for a new overarching plan for the area, and our communities have enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to work with us to celebrate the important precinct’s past and help shape its future.”

Key features of the plan include:

Dixon Street upgrade

The renewal of Dixon Street is at the heart of the revitalisation, according to the city. Plans for the renewal are ongoing and in September ideas will be shared as plans are developed for the street.

▲ A render of Sussex Street after the proposed revitalisation.

Thai Town

During the consultation process, residents and businesses on Campbell Street told the City of Sydney they consider the area home to Thai Town. Streetscape improvements will highlight the cultural significance of the street and provide more space for outdoor dining.

Sussex Street

Sussex Street could be configured to provide a green spine while providing access and delivery to the hospitality and retail engine that is Chinatown, the council said. The plan integrates a street design that improves spaces for people walking, installs a canopy of deciduous trees, supports deliveries, servicing, drop offs and pickups and enables cycling. 

Belmore Park

Belmore Park is a key green space for the City of Sydney. By improving sightlines, entrances and edges in the park, as well as activating the centre and increasing recreation opportunities, this vital space will realise its potential as a green oasis in the city.

A precinct of lights

Plans include a creative lighting master plan that will celebrate the cultural features of different streets, create a set of lighting features unique to the precinct, and explore public art that uses the medium of light.

Harbour Street

The upgrade to Harbour Street will bring the heart of Chinatown and Darling Square together, the council said. Plans include major footpath widening on the eastern side, the installation of social seating for large groups of people and a special zone for markets, events and creative lighting.

Goulburn, Ultimo, Quay and Hay streets

Footpath upgrades, tree planting as well as increased social seating and outdoor dining along these key connectors are included in the changes to boost activity and business.

Moore said the city would also explore opportunities to support events and activations.

“The draft plans propose spending more than half-a-million dollars over the next three years on precinct activation funding and supporting events held in Haymarket as well as $900,000 in grants for our shopfront activation program in Dixon Street,” she said.

If endorsed by the council, the revitalisation strategy will go on public exhibition until October 3.