Laneways and car parks in Rose Bay have just received a much-needed makeover thanks to the “Streets as Shared Spaces” program that funded this transformation project and gave these otherwise forgotten spots a new lease on life.
Woollahra Municipal Council has announced that it has completed several temporary activations in the Rose Bay Centre over the summer which gave forgotten laneways and car parks a fresh lick of paint, new murals, plants and seating.
The project was made possible through funding from the NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces program. The award-winning $15 million program was launched in May 2022 as a pilot to enable improvement across the state with temporary interventions and pop-ups that allowed councils, the community and stakeholders to trial innovative ideas that test and build the case for more permanent changes.
Under the program, Councils get grants of up to $500,000 to help them deliver trial programs that test permanent changes that are aimed at strengthening the amenity, accessibility and economic vitality of a high street and surrounding area through a place-based approach.
Look at their before and after photos and see the wonderful transformation that made these spots unrecognisable today.
Collins Lane
Thanks to artist Alice McAuliffe’s “Concept Carpet”, this laneway is now a vibrant spot with bright colours, inviting festoon lights and lush greens everywhere you look.
Percival Lane
Sharon Billinge’s giant artworks called Beach, Bark and Banksias gave Percival Lane an updated look. The artwork pays homage to Rose Bay’s famous dog beach and its native flora.
Wilberforce Avenue carpark
Wilberforce Avenue car park’s concrete walls are now unrecognisable, in a good way, of course, thanks to Claire Foxton’s artwork Boowambillee (Shark Island) which is inspired by the Boowambillee (Shark Island), the roughly shark-shaped island surrounded by the waters of Rose Bay.
The mural also features Rani, the first Sydney to Hobart yacht race winner who launched from Boowambillee/Shark Island on Boxing Day 1945.
Collins Avenue Parklet
You might also notice a new parklet (temporary seating area) located at Collins Avenue opposite Percival Park. The parklet is now ready for locals and visitors to enjoy where they can sit down and rest after a day at the beach or enjoy a nice, warm coffee from one of the many cafes in the area.
Percival Park
Percival Park also received a glow-up with a new garden installed by IndigiGrow, festoon lighting and colourful bollards.
Council invites you to take these short surveys and let them know what you think about these projects.
Published 19-March-2023