This is not a joke.
As part of a competition seeking the next big infrastructure ideas, Sydney’s Central Railway Station could be transformed into a new 80,000 seat arena with unprecedented public transport access.
The proposal would see the 110 year old station completely updated for a 2026 World Cup bid (should we try again), including seamless integration with the new Sydney Metro, with the project to be fully funded from a special ‘arena levy’ placed on each ticket sold over the next 30 years and through capturing the uplift value when buildings in the area are sold.
The proposal is part of the international ‘Next Big Idea Design’ Completion, which is being led by the industry association that represents professional service firms dealing with Australia’s cities, infrastructure and natural environments, Consult Australia, in association with the Future Cities Collaborative, an initiative of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.
In putting out the call for submissions, Consult Australia’s New South Wales State Manager Matthew Trigg says the competition is a way for individuals and teams to flex their creative muscles in the interest of creating a better city.
“This is about expanding our view of what is possible for Sydney. We hope to find fresh thinking and spark a wider conversation about how to make the most of this amazing city. Using value capture these projects will be designed without being a burden on tax payers and in time will pay for themselves.”
“We are not short of ideas. It’s time we put them forward.”
The competition is open to anyone, with submissions due by Monday 29 February 2016.
Entries will be publicly exhibited and judged on originality, practicality, economic, social, environmental, and communication criteria.
After the debacle of our last World Cup bid, not sure if this is a great idea…
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