This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE City of Sydney will ease development controls that could introduce 53,000 sqm of new employment and cultural space to Oxford Street as part of plans to breathe life back into the once-thriving strip.
New draft planning rules, endorsed unanimously by Council, will unlock redevelopment opportunities that is hopes will encourage investment, stimulate business and activate streets and laneways.
The City of Sydney’s planning proposal seeks changes to the Sydney Local Environmental Plan and Sydney Development Control Plan to create the dedicated Oxford Street cultural and creative precinct.
The changes could create more than 42,500 sqm of employment floor space and 11,000 sqm of new creative and cultural floor space along Oxford Street from Greens Road, Paddington to Whitlam Square in Surry Hills.
Existing entertainment, creative and cultural floor space within the precinct will be retained and added to by allowing extra floor space and height, and entertainment spaces encouraged at basement level.
There will be a focus on the National Art School, allowing additional uses and to diversify the range of supporting commercial and entertainment activities. The site will have its floor space ratio increase from 0.9:1 to 1:1.
Larger sites will be required to activate laneways with small retail or food and drink, tenancies, opportunities for art and improved pedestrian amenity. Food and drink premises in ground level tenancies fronting open space.
The Oxford Street heritage conservation will include 276-278 Crown Street.
Parts of central Oxford Street are already set for an overhaul. Joint venture partners Toga and AsheMorgan are planning to revitalise three heritage buildings to deliver 13,000 sqm of lettable floor area in the middle of the stretch, while Moelis Australia is planning a new hospitality precinct at Taylor Square after adding the Kinselas Hotel to its recently acquired neighbour the Courthouse Hotel, and the City of Sydney will explore and consult on alternative height options for development facing Taylor Square.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “We love Oxford Street. It’s one of our greatest and best-known streets but it has faced significant troubles in the recent past”.
“The construction of massive shopping centres at either end of the strip and online shopping has hurt its retailers, the lock-outs have hurt its bars and clubs and the clearway has created fast flowing through-traffic that has made it a less pleasant place to be.
“The community has made it clear that we need to preserve and celebrate Oxford Street’s history as a sacred walking track for the Gadigal and the heart of Sydney’s LGBTIQ community, while safeguarding its future, particularly as we ready to welcome World Pride 2023.
“We’re committed to building on its reputation as an iconic gay and lesbian precinct and a centre of buzzing activity both day and night, with space for thriving businesses, creatives and culture.”
Mardi Gras CEO, Albert Kruger, welcomed the proposed planning changes.
“Oxford Street holds special significance for the LGBTIQ communities of Sydney. As well as being the spiritual home of the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, Oxford Street has been a sanctuary for our community to come together for many decades.
“The last 12 months had a devastating impact on our once thriving and colourful Oxford Street. We welcome the City of Sydney’s new planning incentives to help revitalise this important precinct for our communities and greater Sydney.”
Extensive consultation over three months in late 2020 saw over 1,800 people attend online workshops, take part in self-guided walking tours, respond to an online survey and write “love letters” to Oxford Street.
The results showed 93% support a creative and cultural precinct, while 88% supported reviews of planning approaches.
