Oxford St to get garden upgrade

A new terraced garden area on Oxford St will aim to create a site for coffee pitstops, pop-up events, and a relaxation spot for visitors and locals.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the drab intersection of Oxford and Napier Sts would be turned into a new greener public space.

“The Oxford St end of Napier St was closed to vehicles in the 1980s to stop trucks taking short cuts through residential streets — but it’s now rundown and under-used,” Moore said.

“We’re going to make it a beautiful open space, with art shows and small cultural events, where locals and students from the College of Fine Arts can meet and relax, generating business for surrounding shops.

“It will also improve pedestrian access from Napier St to Oxford St and Greens Rd.”

The renewal includes new garden areas and landscaping, terraced areas under the site’s existing trees, new paths, seats and lighting, and steps to provide better access to Oxford St.

The proposed improvements are the result of a local doorknocking campaign and a public consultation period.

Four car parking spaces at the eastern end of Napier St will be removed under the plan, but the City has identified nearby sites that can be used as replacement spaces.

Council endorsed the plan in April and the design will now be put out to tender.