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The architects’ vision would create a continuous green spine from Sydney Harbour to the southernmost tip of the CBD.Credit:Bates Smart

Director Philip Vivian said Bates Smart,which is one of Australia’s oldest architectural firms,developed the vision as a direct challenge to the government to improve its plan for the site,as well as stoking community debate.

Vivian said the firm’s update to its earlier scheme retained more of Prince Alfred Park,preserved mature trees,featured a public artwork commemorating the marriage equality plebiscite,and included a higher number of apartments. Vivian highlighted similar projects which built vast areas of public parkland above rail lines at Clichy-Batignolles in Paris and Millennium Park in Chicago.

“This is not something that’s never been done. It’s not pie in the sky. I’m not the nutty professor,I’m not even that original,I’m just trying to do something with public benefit,” Vivian said.

The NSW government is forging ahead with its $11 billion plan toredevelop 24 hectares around the station with about 15 buildings,a pedestrian avenue,laneways and plazas. The site will form the main gateway to its Tech Central jobs and innovation zone from Haymarket to South Eveleigh.

The proposal includes building a cluster of primarily commercial towers on a vast land deck that would be constructed above the regional and intercity rail lines,with three pedestrian bridges over the suburban rail lines to connect the precinct with Prince Alfred Park and streets east of the station.

It has drawn widespread criticism. The City of Sydney warned such a scheme risked repeating urban design mistakes made at Barangaroo by building towers too close together,and creating a precinct riven with wind tunnels and disconnected from the surrounding streets.

In response to feedback,Transport for NSW last month made minor changes to the plan by providing more space between the towers and increasing the proportion of affordable housing.

Vivian said Bates Smart devised its scheme as a “provocation” to show an alternative to the government’s plan,which would require large towers to be erected on the land deck to help fund the significant expense of building the structure.

“That tight cluster[of towers] seems to me like this Manhattan-isation with much density and narrow streets. There’s a central avenue,but it’s a wind tunnel and there’ll be sun for about an hour,” Vivian said.

“I think it would be horrible.”

Vivian said the firm’s pitch was as dense as the government’s plan,but doubled the amount of parkland. The existing Prince Alfred Park Pool and tennis courts would be shifted to the land deck.

The updated scheme included more residential development – about 35 per cent of developed floor space,or 2500 units – compared to the government’s proposed amount of roughly 16 per cent residential,to help tackle the housing supply shortage. Rows of mature trees would be retained.

Vivian said the revised plan also featured a rainbow public artwork to commemorate the marriage equality vote. The initial proposal had been criticised for building over Prince Alfred Park,which acted as the epicentre for celebrations following Australia’s marriage equality plebiscite in 2017.

Bates Smart director Philip Vivian said the Central Station development should maximise public benefit,like Millennium Park in Chicago (pictured),which was built over rail lines.Credit:Starcevic

“You can celebrate the same-sex marriage plebiscite,you can have the pool,the tennis courts,and a massive open space. The buildings fan out to the north,so you can have residences bathed in sunlight with huge amenity. There is all the commercial,tech and education space that’s needed.

“This is not a direct design proposal,it’s a vision. It’s big-picture thinking,” Vivian said.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said the agency was aware of the updated Bates Smart proposal,but noted it would involve developing over Central’s entire rail yard,as well as Prince Alfred Park.

The Department of Planning will assess the transport agency’s proposal,which will be decided by Planning Minister Paul Scully. Scully declined to comment.

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