Decision details

X039457.233

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Forum review the closure of Unnamed Lane, Chippendale to vehicular traffic between Myrtle Street, and Dangar Place to improve access for people walking and riding and to install an outdoor dining area.

Forum Members for this Item

Advice

The Forum considered the submissions along with addresses at the meeting including noise, smoking, surveillance and compliance, and the suitability of a laneway for an outdoor drinking area and related impacts on neighbouring properties, the need to maintain pedestrian clearance, and past misuse of the space.

Councillor Worling opposed closing the laneway under the current proposal and noted the Forum is assessing the closure to traffic, not the outdoor dining application. Site visits confirmed that the laneway is frequently misused to store commercial waste, goods and parking. Closing the laneway at this time could exacerbate rather than improve these conditions and pedestrian access should be the priority for the laneway. It was suggested that City staff consider no parking signage and parking and waste enforcement to better manage the space.

Transport for NSW supported no parking signs, noting it would assist with parking enforcement.

Background

A food and beverage business located at the corner of Abercrombie and Myrtle Streets, Chippendale, has applied for an outdoor dining area adjacent to its rear access on Unnamed Lane. To facilitate this, the business has requested that the City consider permanently closing Unnamed Lane to vehicular traffic, enabling the laneway to be converted into a safe and comfortable space for outdoor dining, walking and riding.

The proposal for the permanent closure of Unnamed Lane was presented to the Local Pedestrian, Cycling, Traffic Calming and Transport Forum (LPCTCTF) at its meeting on 11 December 2025. In response to community feedback received during the meeting, the Forum agreed to defer the proposal to allow City staff additional time to review and address the matters raised.

Community feedback highlighted two key issues:

·                Impact on residential amenity

·                Residents living adjacent to Unnamed Lane expressed concern that the proposed outdoor dining area could generate excessive noise, cigarette smoke and litter, negatively affecting their quality of life.

·                Impact on access for people driving, walking and riding

·                Local residents advised that they currently use Unnamed Lane as a thoroughfare between Myrtle Street and Dangar Place. They raised concerns that establishing an outdoor dining area in the laneway would restrict access for those who rely on it for access.