The Sydney Blog

SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK | Take me back to Friday night under lights at Accor Stadium for a glorious South Sydney victory over the Roosters with a bit of El Jannah to boot.

Public Transport Trips - All Modes View weekly, monthly and yearly trips for all modes from 2016 onwards. Opal trips for each of the modes can be viewed through this.

Read more here: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/data-and-res...

Parramatta Light Rail One of the NSW Government’s major public transport projects, part of a record $80 billion infrastructure program across the state.

It also equates to a weekday average of just 2,622 trips. In 2026, the L4 Westmead & Carlingford Line is forecast to carry a weekday average of 28,000 passengers, meaning the February 2025 average is less than 10% of the forecast. www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/cur... 2/3

SYDNEY | February 2025 saw 3,192,566 trips on the light rail network. Interestingly, just 71,695 trips were taken on the new L4 Westmead & Carlingford Line. This is less than 10% that of the L2 Randwick or L3 Kingsford Lines. 1/3

Public Transport Trips - All Modes View weekly, monthly and yearly trips for all modes from 2016 onwards. Opal trips for each of the modes can be viewed through this.

Read more here: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/data-and-res...

In comparison, the busiest Sydney Trains Line in February 2025 was the T1 North Shore and Western Line. It recorded 5,408,712 trips, meaning - for the first time - the M1 North West & Bankstown Line was the busiest rail line in Sydney 2/3

SYDNEY | February 2025 saw 5,418,389 trips on the M1 North West & Bankstown Line. This was primarily driven by record weekday patronage - which averaged 222,741 daily trips. 1/3

SYDNEY | @clovermoore.bsky.social has announced work will begin in this term of Council on the new Town Hall Square. This is on top of $35 million which is allocated to the upgrade of Sydney Square (between Sydney Town Hall and St Andrew's Cathedral). Read more here: teamclover.com.au/townhallsquare

BARANGAROO | The Central Barangaroo concept plan has been approved. It will enable 104,000m2 of GFA to be delivered. This is expected to include 150+ residential apartments, a 200 room hotel and 50 bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. Read more here: www.aqualand.com.au/projects/cen...

SYDNEY | In 2024, the Sydney Light Rail network recorded 40.55 million passenger trips. This is a 7.6% increase on Sydney Light Rail patronage recorded in 2023, and means the network remains the second busiest light rail system in Australia.

Source: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/data-and-res...

SYDNEY | In 2024, Sydney Metro recorded 39.74 million passenger trips. This is a 75.8% increase on Sydney Metro patronage recorded in 2023, and makes the M1 Metro North West and Bankstown Line the fifth busiest rail line in Greater Sydney.

Source: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/data-and-res...

YouTube video by Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Parramatta North vision

And you can watch an artist’s impression here: youtu.be/7BSs_d7jl_c?...

Parramatta North – PDNSW Covering 42 ha of government-owned land, Parramatta North is a whole-of-government, major urban renewal initiative.

PARRAMATTA NORTH | A rezoning application has been lodged for a 42-hectare site. The application proposes 2,500 new dwellings, a 25,000 student University campus, and 12,000 new jobs. You can make comment on the application until 10 February here: www.nsw.gov.au/departments-...

1. New Sydney Fish Market, Glebe. There was no other option for the top spot this year. The New Sydney Fish Market will offer an improved visitor experience with more restaurants, a dinner service & improved weather proofing, helping to double visitation to 1 of the city’s most famous attractions.

2. Oxford and Foley, Darlinghurst. Speaking of delayed projects, this one has been a long time coming. Scheduled to open in mid-2025, the opening of Oxford and Foley will reactivate the northern side of one of Sydney’s most famous streets with dozens of new creative, retail & F&B operators.

3. 111 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. After years of delays, the 111 Castlereagh Street development will finally open. With 98 apartments, commercial space & a 5-level extension of Westfield Sydney (anchored by a new Chanel flagship store), the project will re-energise the old David Jones men’s store.

4. The Eve Hotel, Redfern. The group that operates Brisbane’s iconic Calile Hotel will debut the 102-room Eve Hotel at Surry Hills Village in February 2025. The new hotel will feature everything from a rooftop pool and restaurant to lush greenery that offers a respite from the busy inner city.

5. The Cutaway, Barangaroo. After almost a decade of a ‘blank canvas’ approach to programming, The Cutaway is finally being refit with a specific purpose in mind. In 2025, the venue will reopen with spaces dedicated to events, exhibits and education spaces on First Nations culture.

6. 25hours Hotel, Paddington. Scheduled to open in winter 2025, this will be the first 25hours property in Australia. The 101-room hotel is located within the meticulously renovated walls of the Olympia Theatre and will include ground level F&B, and a rooftop bar with views of the city skyline.

7. Parkline Place, Sydney. Measuring 155 metres in height, Parkline Place will be the tallest tower to open in the City of Sydney in 2025. The new tower will comprise a mix of commercial uses and ground level retail, all located above the northern entrance to Gadigal Station.

8. Hay Street Market, Haymarket. Dolton House will open Sydney’s biggest food market inside Paddy’s Markets in early 2025. With 50 stalls spread over 3,000m2, the food market has the potential to do for Haymarket what Burwood Chinatown has done for Burwood’s night time economy.

9. Caption by Hyatt, Haymarket. This 174-room hotel is expected to open in the first half of 2025. It will provide value conscious accommodation in an area rich with live entertainment and food (it’s located opposite the Capitol Theatre)

10. Foundry Theatre, Pyrmont. This 360-seat theatre will open in February 2025 near the Sydney Lyric at The Star. Programming indicates it will host a range of live entertainment including comedy and music. It is a very welcome addition to the live entertainment scene in the Harbour City.

2025 is going to be another exciting year of development and progress in the City of Sydney. Here’s a summary of the most anticipated projects reaching completion this year