Edward Street proposed part-closure & sale

Shore School has asked Council to consider closing and selling the section of Edward Street south of Lord Street, North Sydney. Council is reviewing the request and seeking community feedback before deciding on next steps.

No. The matter is at the investigation and consultation stage. Council has not decided to close or sell the relevant section of Edwards Street.

Council resolved in July 2025 to investigate and consult the community on the potential closure and sale. In August 2026, Council endorsed a 28-day consultation and the establishment of a Joint Community Working Group to consider submissions and provide advice.

The proposal concerns the section of Edward Street south of Lord Street in North Sydney.

Council and the Working Group will consider matters including:

• traffic distribution and volumes
• parking demand and behaviour
• school pick-up and drop-off activity
• vehicle queuing
• pedestrian access, accessibility and safety
• service access
• traffic intrusion and noise
• residential amenity and neighbourhood liveability
• broader impacts on the local transport network
• potential mitigation measures

Submissions will be reviewed by Council officers and provided to the Joint Community Working Group. The feedback will help the Working Group identify issues, opportunities, risks, possible mitigation measures and recommendations for inclusion in a future report to Council.

If Council subsequently resolves to commence the formal road closure process, it would need to provide formal notice under section 38B of the Roads Act 1993.

The potential road closure is subject to the Roads Act 1993 and the Local Government Act 1993, regarding the sale of public land and community engagement requirements.

Shore School is required to lodge a $20,000 bond, which may be increased if required, to cover investigation costs. Costs associated with establishing and operating the Working Group and delivering consultation will be funded from existing operational budgets.

Proceeds from a road sale may only be used to carry out road work on public roads.

We want to hear your views about:

• your current use of Edward Street
• whether you support or oppose the potential part-closure and sale
• potential impacts on surrounding streets and the local community
• traffic congestion and vehicle queuing
• parking availability and overflow parking
• school pick-up and drop-off arrangements
• pedestrian access, accessibility and road safety
• cycling connections
• property, service and emergency access
• noise and residential amenity
• public access and open-space opportunities
• the outcomes Council should seek to secure if the proposal progresses
• any other local information or suggested mitigation measures Council and the Working Group should consider.

Submissions will be provided to the Joint Community Working Group and will help inform a future report to Council.

As part of the survey, Council is asking the community to identify the outcomes it should seek to secure if Edward Street were closed and sold.

Potential outcomes include:

• improved pedestrian safety around Shore School
• reduced traffic congestion on Edward Street and Lord Street
• protection of residential amenity, including noise, traffic and parking
• measures to manage overflow parking
• no school vehicle access via Edward Street
• regular public reporting on agreed outcomes
• guaranteed public pedestrian access through the school site
• new publicly accessible open space
• improved school pick-up and drop-off management.

Community feedback on these priorities will help Council understand what conditions, safeguards or public benefits should be considered if the proposal progresses. Inclusion in the survey does not mean that any particular outcome has been agreed or is guaranteed.

It is a time-limited advisory group established to consider the potential closure and sale and related traffic, pedestrian, parking, access and residential amenity matters. It will include representatives from Council, Shore School and the community.

No. The Working Group is advisory only. It cannot make binding decisions or replace the Council's statutory decision-making responsibilities.

The adopted composition includes two community representatives, selected through an Expression of Interest process.

Applicants will be assessed on:

• demonstrated local knowledge of traffic, parking and amenity issues.
• their ability to represent broader community interests.
• relevant professional qualifications or experience, including transport, engineering, urban planning or related disciplines.

Yes. Members must disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.