It is anticipated that construction will start at the Phillip Street intersection with the closure of Horwood Place to though-traffic and relocation of the existing raised pedestrian crossing in early 2025. This is to ensure the Phillip Street interface to the Powerhouse Parramatta will be ready in time for the opening of the museum in Spring 2025. Construction works in Horwood Place are anticipated to continue throughout 2025 and complete in mid-2026.
No, the Erby Place Eat Street Carpark is not proposed for closure as part of this project. Access to the carpark will be maintained throughout the project.
Yes, the project incorporates a generous footpath the length of Civic Link, wide enough to be designated for shared use by cyclists and pedestrians. Safe, prioritised walking and cycling crossings are proposed at each street intersection, and pavement markings will navigate and provide advisory information on routes and expected behaviours. To access the river, cyclists will cross Phillip Street and follow the shared path in Dirrabarri Lane.
Café and outdoor dining bring life to the city’s streets and once completed, pre-existing footway dining areas will once again be available for licenced use. Along the widened pedestrian footpaths and within the green spine, generous and varied public seating will also be installed.
The existing pedestrian crossing on Phillip Street is being moved further east to better align with the entry to the Powerhouse and the meeting of the two footpaths either side of the Civic Link ‘Green Spine’.
Horwood Place’s existing mature Plane trees offer beautiful cooling shade and screening to the street and buildings. Four trees located at the north section (between Auctioneer Lane and Phillip Street) are proposed to be removed to implement the road closure and allow for the planting of a significant number of new trees and shrubs as part of the ‘Green Spine’. Council proposes to keep the four street trees at the south end to maintain a canopy cover where the section of Horwood Place carriageway is to remain.
Council doesn’t control who leases and operates in retail spaces around Parramatta, but is committed to maintaining access for all businesses, property owners and their customers and visitors, mitigating the impacts of the improvement works through careful planning and consultation. Footway dining licences will need to be suspended while works occur but works will be staged to limit the length of impacts in any one location.
When finished, this project will significantly increase the number of people walking along the street and should increase business exposure to all businesses fronting Horwood Place. With parking and deliveries still available nearby, the new Civic Link will create a high-profile revitalised space within the Parramatta CBD.
30 on-street parking spots are being removed on Horwood Place to allow for the delivery of Civic Link Block 3 and the closure of Horwood Place at Phillip Street.
Civic Link Block 3 is fortunate to be located adjacent to the Erby Place Eat Street Carpark which will remain open for visitor parking. This project will maintain entry to the carpark via George Street while high-quality widened footpaths will improve access for the large number of people visiting Powerhouse Parramatta in addition to accommodating the existing on-street cafes and city life.
To address the loss of the loading zone, a new double loading zone is proposed nearby on Phillip Street, utilising new kerbside space freed up the closure of Horwood Place/ Phillips St intersection and relocation of the existing pedestrian crossing.
While it is the ultimate aim to close the full length of Horwood Place (between George Street and Phillip Street) for pedestrians and cyclists, at this stage, Council will be maintaining vehicle access to Auctioneer Lane which services the properties fronting George Street and entry to the Eat Street Car Park. Therefore, a single travel lane in and single travel lane out will be retained in Horwood Place, between Auctioneer Lane and George Street.
As the city centre continues to redevelop, property access requirements may change in the future, allowing for full pedestrianisation of Block 3.
