GROWTH OF SYDNEY

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1933, Page 6

GROWTH OF SYDNEY

BIG REBUILDING SCHEMES

LATEST AMBITIOUS PLAN

SYDNEY, November 14

A recent visitor to Sydney said that so many buildings had. been 'reconstructed since his .last visit that he scarcely knew, the city. When, he asked, would they stop rebuilding Sydney? Probably the correct reply to that question would be “never.” Sydneyl has- undoubtedly outgrown itself, and many of the buildings that , were adequate a few years, ago arc jnadeiiqate to-day. The face of the city is changing all the time, as witness., the, vast improvements to Martin Place that are now proceeding at enormous cost to the City Council, which has had to resume valuable areas in order to rectify the mistake of the near-sighted men who were responsible for the original planning. The new Martin Place will go direct to Macquarie Street bringing into relief, more oi fess the disreputable Parliament Buildings, a disgrace 'to a State of the size, and wealth of Now South Wales. : Qf course, during, the worst of the depression years, there was a lull in building in the city, but there, arc signs now of renewed, activity—welcome signs they are.'.'AH' the same, one hesitates to think, what the country districts will think of the latest building scheme, in which the Government will play the most important part, Tlie country’s attack on the /‘extravagance” associated with the Sydney 1-larbovir Bridge is well remembered." Now there is talk of spending £2,000,003 on further city magnificence. ’ The echeme involves the erection of a new Anglican cathedral m the dead centre of the extended Martin Place, new .Houses of Parhamem, where the historic Mint now stands in. Macquarie 'Street, and new Law Courts an. the site of, the present Parliament Buildings. ■Utter years of negotiation a degree of finally has at last been reached on the question of a- site for the new cathedral. The present cathedral alongside the Town Hall occupies a ■ site 'quite 'Unsuited to the purpose, and, i<n addition, much; ground;- has been lost following the construction Of the city railway. If the plans now, fac-vsred .are carried into effect, the : new building will arise ton the' site at present occupied by the SydneynHo#ital,: which will be; transferred to a more'suitable area away from the centre of the city. The old 'buildings, which at present house Parliament, propped and buttressed though been for veai's, ’Cannot last much longer, i.nd the question of replacing them is lie* coming urgent.' The'' present" 'idea r is ‘to start a- gigantic building scheme " with mew ‘Houses of Harltameift' ; bm'; the "Mint site. New Law Courts - 'would take the place •ment Buildings, and the cathedral would -come., V between. When., the. scheme' is .the three buildings would symbolise, in striking form, the Law, the Church, .and the State. It is -estimated that the new bathec?Ual alone would cost at least £1,000.000. The. utilisation of the present cathedral site would provide some compensation.