By ANNA USHER

An art deco-inspired outdoor space, with new seating, shady pergolas and a purpose-built acrylic noise barrier, has been given the green light.

This week, North Sydney Council released its preferred option of upgrades to Cremorne Plaza and Langley Place, following community consultation in 2023.

Trellises of Star Jasmine and Bougainvillea, 12 new broad canopy trees and more space for outdoor dining will transform the tired public area.

“The outdoor dining space will be maintained as is, respecting licensed areas for existing businesses,” Council said.

Both Cremorne Plaza and Langley Place are the last sites to be given a facelift in Council’s Neutral Bay and Cremorne Public Domain Upgrade Masterplan (2015), which aims to improve streetscape elements including paving, furniture, lighting and planting to generate a “vibrant and delightful public domain”, maintaining the design integrity of North Sydney.

Umbaco Landscape Architects has created the two designs to provide comfortable and legible access through both plazas, provide seating and dining opportunities to protect and retain existing trees, and introduce more greenery.

However, the game changer for locals will be a 20mm thick noise barrier facing Military Rd, set to reduce noise – often exceeding 70dB(A) – and provide protection from the wind.

“An acoustic consultant was engaged to assess the proposed trellis wall in response to concerns regarding noise levels within Cremorne Plaza,” the Council said. “After thorough analysis, it was concluded that a noise wall with a minimum height of 3m will be effective in reducing plaza noise to acceptable levels to outdoor spaces (below 64dB(A).”

Art deco paving and comfortable seating for more than 170 people (outside designated dining areas) will provide sheltered space from sun and rain.

“The existing multiple layers of streetscape elements in the plaza have created an ad-hoc urban character that is visually inconsistent and difficult to maintain,” Council said.

To create a safe and pleasant atmosphere, the design for Langley Place will provide better access from Parraween St to Military Rd with an “aim to delight” and enhance movie theatre experiences of the nearby Hayden Orpheum Theatre.

Funding for construction will be sought through future Capital Works programs or grant funding opportunities, the Council said.