Plans for Sydney’s controversial new public square in doubt after NSW government intervention

The New South Wales planning minister has declared the proposed public square in Sydney’s city centre “state significant,” taking the approval process from the City of Sydney council. The project, which the council expected to finish by 2031, would have created a semi‑circular plaza with a fountain and native trees facing Hyde Park. The minister’s decision puts the future of the plaza in doubt.

State planning minister declares project ‘state significant’, wresting approval process away from local council Plans for a grand new public square in centre of Sydney are in doubt after the New South Wales planning minister declared the project “state significant”, wresting the approval process away from the City of Sydney. The lord mayor, Clover Moore, released renders in August for the plaza opposite Sydney’s town hall. The design for the space, which the council had expected to be completed by 2031, include a semi-circular clearing projecting eastwards towards Hyde park, with a fountain and a grove of native trees.

Summarised by Agaah from The Guardian. Agaah aggregates 36 sources and removes duplicate coverage — all news, one place.