COMMUNITY & INFRASTRUCTURE · SYDNEY CBD
Sydney Town Hall Square Declared State Significant Development
Published · Cenlocal summary
The NSW Planning Minister has declared the City of Sydney's proposed public square opposite Town Hall a State Significant Development.
The City of Sydney's proposal for a new public square opposite Sydney Town Hall will now go through the State Significant Development (SSD) process.
NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully announced the declaration on 9 October 2026 after receiving advice from the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), which found the project was of State and regional planning significance.
What happens next
If the City of Sydney lodges an SSD development application, the IPC will be the decision-maker. The NSW Government says the process will include a whole-of-government assessment and an opportunity for the community and other stakeholders to comment before a decision is made.
About the project
The ABC reports the plaza is a $150 million project covering about 4,500 square metres, and would require demolition of several buildings the council has acquired since the 1980s. Council has said the square would provide a gathering place for community events, music and markets.
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Sources & Further Reading
This is an original Cenlocal summary. Cenlocal is not the original reporter; facts are attributed to the sources below.
