Could a Goulburn Street car park come to the rescue?

The Goulburn Street Car Park: A Symbol of Sydney’s Unfulfilled Dreams

The Goulburn Street car park in Sydney’s central business district (CBD) has long been a source of frustration and disappointment for the city. This unassuming brown brick structure has been the subject of relentless criticism, often likened to an “abandoned Soviet hospital” due to its dilapidated state. Despite its prime location, the car park has struggled to find a new purpose, with numerous ambitious proposals failing to materialize. Over the years, ideas such as converting it into a public high school, a “green building” covered in plants, or even a trendy rooftop bar with live music and contemporary dance performances have all been floated but never realized. The only unplanned transformation the site has seen was the unauthorized installation of a “guerilla gallery” by Fairfax photographers, who illegally plastered one side of the car park with vibrant photos of city life. This unauthorized art project briefly brought some life to the otherwise neglected site, but it was never a permanent solution. Now, however, there is hope that the car park’s days of stagnation may finally be coming to an end.

A History of Failed Revitalization Efforts

The Goulburn Street car park has been a thorn in the side of city planners and residents alike for years. Its rundown condition has made it a frequent target of ridicule, with many calling for its demolition or repurposing. Over the years, several creative ideas have been proposed to breathe new life into the site. For instance, there was once talk of turning it into a public high school, but that idea was ultimately abandoned in favor of a different location. Another proposal suggested transforming the car park into a “green building” adorned with plants, but this too never came to fruition. Even the idea of a rooftop bar with live music and contemporary dance performances was met with skepticism, with the mayor at the time deeming it “incredibly expensive” and dismissing the idea outright. These failed attempts have left the car park in a state of limbo, serving only as a reminder of Sydney’s unfulfilled dreams.

A New Future on the Horizon

After years of stagnation, the Goulburn Street car park may finally be on the verge of a transformation. The City of Sydney is currently considering relinquishing its lease on the site, which runs until September 2060, to allow the state government to develop housing for essential workers. This proposal was put forward by Labor deputy lord mayor Zann Maxwell, who moved a motion last month urging the city’s chief executive to explore offering the site to the government on favorable terms. The site’s owner, Transport Asset Manager of NSW, and Transport for NSW have both expressed openness to discussing the car park’s future, signaling a potential breakthrough in the long-standing impasse. A Transport for NSW spokesperson recently stated that the site has the potential to deliver “well-located housing” and contribute to the state government’s housing targets, highlighting the importance of this initiative.

The Path Forward: Affordable Housing for Essential Workers

The proposed transformation of the Goulburn Street car park into housing for essential workers represents a significant shift in the site’s fortunes. Transport for NSW has already included the site in a 2022 rezoning application for the Central Station area, which initially proposed a “super-deck” over the station platforms. Although the super-deck plan was ultimately abandoned, the rezoning application remains under consideration by the Planning Department. If approved, the car park could be repurposed to address Sydney’s acute housing shortage, particularly for essential workers who are often priced out of the city’s expensive real estate market. This plan aligns with broader efforts to increase affordable housing in the CBD and ensures that the site is used for a purpose that benefits the community. Deputy lord mayor Zann Maxwell has been a key advocate for this proposal, emphasizing the need to prioritize housing for those who contribute to the city’s functioning.

Financial Considerations and Past Opportunities

Despite the current momentum behind the housing proposal, the Goulburn Street car park has historically been a lucrative asset for the City of Sydney. The site generates approximately $8 million in revenue each year from parking operations, making it a valuable source of income for the council. In 2018, Property and Development NSW offered the City of Sydney $75 million to buy out its lease on the car park, but the offer was rejected. At the time, the council deemed the financial loss from relinquishing the lease to be too great, opting instead to continue operating the car park as is. However, the current proposal to transfer the lease to the state government for affordable housing suggests a shift in priorities, with the city recognizing the greater public good that could be achieved by repurposing the site.

Conclusion: From Neglect to Opportunity

The Goulburn Street car park has long been a symbol of Sydney’s unfulfilled potential, serving as a constant reminder of the city’s struggles with urban planning and redevelopment. However, the latest proposal to transform the site into housing for essential workers offers a glimmer of hope for its future. By relinquishing its lease and allowing the state government to take the reins, the City of Sydney has the opportunity to turn a neglected eyesore into a vibrant and functional space that benefits the community. This initiative not only addresses the pressing need for affordable housing but also represents a chance to revitalize a site that has been dormant for far too long. As Sydney continues to grow and evolve, the fate of the Goulburn Street car park serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of creative problem-solving and collaboration in urban development.