Council works to bolster booming Ashfield
Wednesday 14 June 2017
Inner West Council’s $7 million Ashfield Town Centre Upgrade, which commences this week, is part of a big boost in investment in the booming centre.
The Ashfield Town Centre has had over $300 million in development approved in recent years. Additionally, construction is underway on a new commuter carpark which will provide 99 additional commuter car parking spaces.
“Ashfield is a population-serving centre that plays a vital role in supporting local productivity, vibrancy and accessibility,” Inner West Council Administrator Richard Pearson said.
The centre has significant residential and job concentrations and is located on an express rail line.
“Anyone who has been to Ashfield town centre recently will have been struck by what a bustling, busy retail and economic centre it has become,” Mr Pearson said.
“Council is confident that the upgrade we are commencing will further fuel the vibrancy of the main street, and contribute to even greater economic activity.
The Ashfield Town Centre Upgrade works, which are based on the master plan adopted by the former Ashfield Council, span Hercules Street, The Esplanade, Markham Place and Brown Street and are scheduled to be completed in 12 months. The works include:
- Wider footpaths with new paving
- New energy efficient lighting installed on multi-function poles
- Street furniture including seats bins, bike racks and bubbler
- Trees, landscaping and rain gardens
- Removal of old bus shelters and construction of a new shelter in Brown St
- New deck and elevated walkway along the Esplanade.
“With Ashfield becoming such an important retail, commercial and residential area, Inner West Council recently told the Greater Sydney Commission that the suburb’s town centre should be elevated to a District Centre in their Central District Plan,” Mr Pearson said.
“Similar-sized centres such as Campsie have been identified as a District Centre, whereas we would argue that Ashfield, with its economic and construction boom, is at least an equally qualified candidate,” Mr Pearson said.
The advantage to being nominated as a District Centre is that these centres will become focus areas for future productivity and investment, according to the Greater Sydney Commission.
The town centre works also include funding for a new public toilet in the Ashfield Town Centre which is proposed to be located on Brown Street in front of the railway station. Council is seeking permission from the Minister for Transport for the new toilet as well as a temporary measure to gain public access to the existing toilet on Brown Street that is currently used by bus drivers.
“The town centre upgrade and commuter car park have been a long time coming, but are set to cement Ashfield as a vibrant centre which residents, business owners, shoppers, diners and commuters can all enjoy.” Mr Pearson said.
Photo opportunity: Mr Pearson, former Mayor of Ashfield Lucille McKenna OAM, and former Ashfield Councillor Mark Drury, cnr Brown and Hercules Street, Ashfield, Thursday 15 June, 12.30pm. RSVP to the Communication team.