State government takes control of Sydney Town Hall Square project

In August 2023, Sydney City Council proposed a new public square opposite Sydney Town Hall, estimated at a cost of $150 million. The project, first conceived in 1982 by then-lord mayor Doug Sutherland and set to be completed by 2031, involves demolishing seven buildings to create the space. Critics argue it is too expensive and disruptive, with some estimating a cost of only $94 million for the plaza alone. The NSW government, under premier Chris Minns, has deemed the project "state significant," taking control away from the city council and putting it through another approval process. This move follows public outcry over the potential demolition's impact on local businesses and concerns about excessive costs. The Independent Planning Commission found that the project could deliver substantial public and economic benefits despite opposition.