Update

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on our six temporary activations in Rose Bay. Your feedback has helped shape future priorities at Rose Bay and has provided insights into how we can use temporary placemaking initiatives, such as laneway activations and temporary art installations, to enhance our local area.

After a successful trial period and most survey respondents in favour of the project, these temporary activations will remain (except the Collins Avenue Parklet) and form part of the Rose Bay Place Plan 2023-2028 endorsed by Council on 26 June 2023.

The Rose Bay Place Plan 2023-2028 takes into consideration community feedback from these surveys and submissions made during a public exhibition period.The Parklet trial has not been continued following local business feedback on their service and accessibility needs in the Lane.

For more information, read the Council meeting agenda and minutes.

Streets as Shared Spaces projects - What we heard from the community

In 2023, we trialled a number of temporary activations in the Rose Bay centre, made possible with funding from the NSW Government's Streets as Shared Spaces program.

(External linprogram.

We asked the community to share their feedback via short surveys on this page. Feedback has now closed. View the survey results.

Here's some of what we heard:

1. Temporary pedestrian crossing in Wilberforce Avenue

"It makes this area safer"

"It improves connectivity"

2. Collins Laneway

"Definitely a yes to keeping the laneway vibe and more of it wherever possible in the area, as there are a few in Rose Bay; creates quite a unique drawcard for the area."

"Actually reminds me of a European laneway. Feels warm/inviting"

"The colourful laneways are more visually appealing and make it more likely I will stroll down the lane and pop into a laneway shop."

3. Percival Laneway

"Murals are amazing, it’s great for the community and super inviting. It uplifts mental health especially in a suburb like Rose Bay where there are a lot of young families"

"It’s terrific. The art works make it safe and far more alluring. It creates an atmospheric connection between urban centre and water."

"It’s beautiful and inviting now. I love that you worked with local artists."

"Highly support the retention of the murals plus the inclusion of a temp between Percival Lane and Collins Avenue to allow pram and disabled access to Rose Bay Beach"

4. Percival Park

"Superb! You have matched habitat creation with art and community building, plus promoting Indigigrow. Thank you. More such projects please!!"

"The improvements have made this public space so much more visually attractive, inviting people to sit and stay and enjoy the park and beach. Previously it felt like a forgotten wasted area."

5. Wilberforce car park mural

"Gorgeous mural. Much better than blank wall. Adds character to Rose Bay."

"It brightens the area and makes one wish it had been done a long time ago. Hope it won't disappear with the new car park development."

"Brings colour and life to an otherwise dull wall"

6. Collins Avenue Parklet

"It is nice to have an outdoor area to sit so close to the beach."

"The openness of these parklets expands the use of the local facilities for everyone, bringing more people out into open spaces and providing a great village vibe."

"It creates an attractive meeting place to meet locals ... and also draws attention to the two lane ways..."

Making Rose Bay even more vibrant and connected

The temporary activations included:

1. Temporary pedestrian crossing in Wilberforce Avenue

We installed a temporary pedestrian crossing in Wilberforce Avenue near its intersection with Newcastle Street. The crossing aims to increase pedestrian connectivity throughout Rose Bay whilst improving safety.

2. Pannerong Reserve lighting and Wilberforce car park mural

We installed decorative lighting in Pannerong Reserve to encourage pedestrians to stop, rest and enjoy their surroundings. A large mural was painted by Artist Claire Foxton in Wilberforce car park to celebrate the ecology and local history of Rose Bay.

2. Laneways come to life

We brought our laneways to life with painting, murals, plantings and lighting. Take a walk through Percival Lane, Collins Lane and Collins Avenue to see the installations, snap some pictures for the socials or stick around for outdoor dining in picturesque surroundings.

3. Dine alfresco in our new parklet

A temporary parklet in Collins Avenue near the park. This reclaimed recreation space offers more seating for locals, and enhance connections between the Rose Bay centre and the beach.

4. Decorations and plantings in Percival Park

Overlooking Sydney Harbour, Percival Park is a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the water. We dressed up the park with festoon lighting in trees, a creative (and Instagram-friendly) treatment for dog owners.

We also have a special planting installation by Aboriginal-owned nursery IndigiGrow that showcases the rare and important Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub.