Sydney’s long-running George Street transformation is about to reach its final stretch, with plans to permanently reshape the northern end of the city’s iconic thoroughfare into a more pedestrian-friendly destination for dining, shopping and events.
The planned revitalisation will cover the section between Essex Street and Jack Mundey Place in The Rocks, completing a 2.5-kilometre walkable corridor stretching from Central Station to the harbour-side precinct.
The project will turn more than 39,000m² of former roadway into permanent public space, marking the final stage of one of Sydney’s biggest city-shaping projects.
The final piece of George Street
The transformation will happen across two sections. Firstly, between Essex Street and Alfred Street, the City of Sydney plans to extend the George Street pedestrian boulevard north through the CBD.
The eastern side of the street will close permanently to traffic and become a wide footpath lined with seating, trees, lighting and new paving extending to the light rail tracks. However, a single southbound vehicle lane will remain on the western side.
The plans will also remove the traffic lights at the intersections of George and Essex streets and George and Alfred streets.
Then, further north, between Alfred Street and Jack Mundey Place, the NSW Government plans to make the existing road closure permanent.
The change builds on the outdoor dining arrangements introduced temporarily during the Covid-19 pandemic, which have since become an important part of The Rocks’ hospitality scene.
One-way southbound vehicle access will remain, but the other traffic lane will be permanently repurposed to create space for outdoor dining and visitors.
The Rocks is already drawing millions of visitors
The revitalisation comes to make the changes permanent comes as The Rocks continues to attract huge crowds. The precinct welcomed 14.3 million visitors last financial year, while food and beverage operators have attributed up to 35% of their annual turnover to outdoor dining arrangements.
The governments behind the project expect the expanded pedestrian and outdoor dining zone to increase visitation further and support the precinct’s ongoing revitalisation.
Minister for Transport, Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham said the transformation had already changed George Street dramatically. “George Street used to be a smoggy gauntlet, more popular with taxis and buses than human beings. It’s now a vibrant place that attracts shoppers, workers and tourists.”
He said the outdoor dining space in The Rocks had also delivered a boost to the historic precinct. “The reclaimed outdoor dining space in the Rocks has been a great boost for this historic harbourside precinct and this work will lock in those gains and make the area even more appealing.
When will the George Street works begin?
Construction is expected to begin in 2027, subject to approvals, with completion scheduled for late 2028.
The George Street upgrade has received $15.8 million from the NSW Government, while the City of Sydney will contribute $10 million towards the majority of the new George Street North pedestrian boulevard between Essex and Alfred streets.
Community feedback has shaped the design since 2021, with surveys, workshops, pop-up events, public submissions and ongoing consultation informing the plans.
The City of Sydney’s proposal is currently open for public feedback, with submissions closing at 5pm on Monday, 26th October via Sydney Your Say.
The finished project will deliver a 2.5km pedestrian-friendly corridor from Central Station to The Rocks, completing George Street’s transformation from traffic artery to city boulevard.
