The renewal of the Ryde Town Centre moved a step closer following the historic resolution by Council last week to adopt the Draft Ryde Local Environment Plan (LEP 143). The plan will still require the approval of the Minister for Planning.
City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Ivan Petch said several years of discussions had now come to fruition. “This is a very significant event in the journey towards the renewal of the Top Ryde Shopping Centre and surrounding precinct.
“A new Ryde Town Centre will rejuvenate the entire community, improve lifestyle, provide up to 5,000 new jobs and reinstate Ryde as an important civic, cultural, commercial, retail, residential and recreation location.
“We have the opportunity to create a unique urban centre for our city and to breathe life and vitality back into its commercial heart.
“Our vision is not for just another ‘sealed’ box-like shopping centre. We want a high quality mixed-use commercial/residential urban centre that is vital, commercially sound and accessible for all; with an outdoor plaza, outdoor cafes and public places that are attractive, safe and welcoming. It will restore pride back into the City of Ryde,” he said.
The 150,000 m2 (3.2 hectares) redevelopment takes in the current Top Ryde Shopping Centre and will contain:
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2000 m2 of open air plaza suited for community events
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2000 m2 of community space and a child care centre
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Approximately 60,000 m2 of shops
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Major pedestrian links throughout the site, linking Blaxland Road to the Plaza and Pope Street
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A minimum of 15% devoted to a mix of residential apartments
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Commercial office space
Community awareness and support for the development has been widespread. Following the public exhibition in November of the draft LEP, Council received 167 submissions. Of these, only 5 raised objections to the draft Plans.
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Media Contact: Lee Kirkland, Media Officer, City of Ryde, T 9952 8083 M 0434 306 444.
