Case Studies
The Goods Line
Design Feature
Type of project
Landowner Strategy
State
New South Wales
Location
Urban
The Goods Line is an award winning linear park which is utilised as a shared pedestrian, cycle path and green space that connects Ultimo to Darling Harbour. This unique elevated park, formerly a disused rail corridor running from Railway Square to Darling Harbour, has been reimagined as a leafy, energised civic spine in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. It is an example of the potential for design to transform isolated city spaces into creative and connected public destinations which enhance public life.
Unlocking potential
In 2014, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (now Place Management NSW), in collaboration with design partners CHROFI and ASPECT Studios, began construction to reinvigorate and activate a previously inaccessible rail corridor, which was originally part of a busy freight rail system dating back to 1855. The 7,000 square metre linear park was completed in 2015.
The design principles for The Goods Line focused on creating a strong civic spine and establishing opportunities for people to come together and interact. The Goods Line is surrounded by some of Sydney’s most important cultural, educational and media institutions.
The Goods Line provides a traffic-free, accessible thoroughfare from Central Station to Darling Harbour, connecting more than 80,000 tertiary students, locals and visitors to the many major attractions in Darling Harbour. The former elevated rail corridor features a series of platforms, which can be used for a variety of activities including public entertainment, recreation, festivals and study.
The Goods Line provides a traffic-free, accessible thoroughfare from Central Station to Darling Harbour, connecting more than 80,000 tertiary students, locals and visitors to the many major attractions in Darling Harbour. The former elevated rail corridor features a series of platforms, which can be used for a variety of activities including public entertainment, recreation, festivals and study.
Features of The Goods Line include:
- Seating and picnic area
- Children’s play spaces, including repurposed heritage infrastructure
- Outdoor exercise equipment
- Water re-fill stations
- Large communal work desks with inbuilt power points
- Study ‘pods’ amongst the trees
- Amphitheatre
- Table tennis tables
- Free wi-fi
Project team
- Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (now Place Management NSW)
- ASPECT Studios, Project Design Lead
- CHROFI, Design Partner
Project cost
$15 million
Health value
Increased opportunities for walking, cycling and active transport.
Encourages users to visit the destination though the provision of attractive amenities, opportunities for recreational physical activity such as table tennis.
Jane Fleming’s _‘Live Life, Get Active’_ hosts free fitness classes, twice a day utilising the available green space.
Children can play in the water feature and use the play equipment.
Well-lit, allowing safe night time use of the Line for commuters and park visitors.
Water bubblers providing safe drinking water.
Encourages users to visit the destination though the provision of attractive amenities, opportunities for recreational physical activity such as table tennis.
Jane Fleming’s _‘Live Life, Get Active’_ hosts free fitness classes, twice a day utilising the available green space.
Children can play in the water feature and use the play equipment.
Well-lit, allowing safe night time use of the Line for commuters and park visitors.
Water bubblers providing safe drinking water.
Economic value
General uplift of the area
Enhances University of Technology Sydney and Powerhouse Museum offering to students and visitors.
Provides a space for activation by community groups and stakeholders.
Commercial fee rates are charged for third parties who wish to host activities and events, which provides additional revenue and cost recovery.
Enhances University of Technology Sydney and Powerhouse Museum offering to students and visitors.
Provides a space for activation by community groups and stakeholders.
Commercial fee rates are charged for third parties who wish to host activities and events, which provides additional revenue and cost recovery.
Environmental value
An important urban green space, creating a public realm that includes tree planting and native landscaping to improve aesthetic quality, provide shading and promote recreational and active travel uses.
The Goods Line complements a broader transformation in a densely populated area of Sydney, by providing a leafy civic space for local communities and daily visitors.
The design maximises the canopies of established fig trees along the line, for shade and aesthetic value.
The installment of garden beds and planters create features and define edges.
21 new trees and 39 additional species of plants were planted, 17 of which (43%) are Australian Natives.
Sustainability initiatives also include:
The Goods Line complements a broader transformation in a densely populated area of Sydney, by providing a leafy civic space for local communities and daily visitors.
The design maximises the canopies of established fig trees along the line, for shade and aesthetic value.
The installment of garden beds and planters create features and define edges.
21 new trees and 39 additional species of plants were planted, 17 of which (43%) are Australian Natives.
Sustainability initiatives also include:
- Water sensitive urban design
- Low energy lighting
- Advanced fabrication techniques
- Use of recycled materials
- Preservation of the heritage rail tracks
Social value
The project has a strong narrative and identity that reflects the history of the site and its role in the growth of Sydney.
The design facilitates a multifunctional series of spaces that allows movement and opportunities for social interaction within a green environment. It offers a range of social experiences from the individual to collective and for all demographics.
Pop-up events hosted at The Goods Line bring new activity into the precinct. For example, the Amphitheatre at the Mary Ann Street stairs can be used to host outdoor movies, moonlight cinemas and performances.
The seating, benches and power outlets enable education classes to be hosted outside. The University of Technology Sydney regularly makes use of the opportunity.
The design facilitates a multifunctional series of spaces that allows movement and opportunities for social interaction within a green environment. It offers a range of social experiences from the individual to collective and for all demographics.
Pop-up events hosted at The Goods Line bring new activity into the precinct. For example, the Amphitheatre at the Mary Ann Street stairs can be used to host outdoor movies, moonlight cinemas and performances.
The seating, benches and power outlets enable education classes to be hosted outside. The University of Technology Sydney regularly makes use of the opportunity.
Use value
The Goods Line is surrounded by some of Sydney’s most important cultural and educational institutions.
The traffic-free thoroughfare from Central Station to Darling Harbour creates a strong sense of place along Sydney’s Cultural Ribbon.
The open space and amenities provide a much-needed respite for students, residents and visitors to take a break in the middle of the city and enjoy the tranquil surrounds.
The traffic-free thoroughfare from Central Station to Darling Harbour creates a strong sense of place along Sydney’s Cultural Ribbon.
The open space and amenities provide a much-needed respite for students, residents and visitors to take a break in the middle of the city and enjoy the tranquil surrounds.
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