Live Review: City of Sydney looks to revitalise Kings Cross post-lockouts and COVID-19

The global pandemic is still well and truly gripping the world right now, but that hasn't stopped the City of Sydney from getting the ball rolling to revitalise one of its most iconic locations when its allowed to open back up.

Kings Cross is set to be revitalised thanks to a think tank, Committee for Sydney, and a grant by City of Sydney to aide in its planning for the area. The grant is $40,000 and is described as "the green light to work with the local liquor industry, businesses and other stakeholders to provide recommendations on how to jump-start the night-time economy and bring domestic and international visitors back to the area," the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

As The Music reports, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, "We want a safe and lively Kings Cross, with a thriving residential community and a diverse economy that includes fabulous bars and restaurants, theatres and shops."

We’re supporting the @Committee4Syd as they talk to everyone with a stake in the Cross – particularly local businesses and residents – and make recommendations on how to jump-start the night-time economy and bring domestic and international visitors back to the area.

— Clover Moore (@CloverMoore) May 13, 2020

Plans are already being formulated with proposed changes already including the development of pedestrian laneways, and encouraging outdoor entertainment. A facelift to Kings Cross station has also been proposed, with the committee looking to push for the area to re-establish its identity which they acknowledge was lost due to the lockout laws.

With a report expected to be submitted by 2021, it doesn't look like it'll be too much longer before we start to see what this vision for Kings Cross might hold. However, with the ongoing uncertainty due to COVID-19 and the consequent economic stress expected to last for much longer than the pandemic itself, it remains to be seen what this holds for what could be a very extensive re-development project.

Words by Emma Jones

Image by lukezemephotography

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