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Lane Cove Plaza celebrates 40 years
Lane Cove Plaza celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Converting the road into a plaza has contributed significantly to our ‘village’ feel, but at the time, it was considered to be quite a radical idea.
For those who live and work in Lane Cove, the Plaza is an integral part of daily life. When it opened in 1977, it was the first time in NSW that any part of a suburban main road had been closed to traffic to create a pedestrian mall. The Plaza was achieved despite ongoing opposition, public meetings and court cases.
The Lane Cove shopping village came about following the extension of the North Shore tramway service from Gore Hill to Longueville (now Lane Cove) in March 1909. The area near the intersection of Burns Bay and Longueville Roads became a tram terminus and the shopping centre developed around the intersection. Trams continued to operate until the closure of the North Shore lines in June 1958. The intersection then became the thoroughfare of cars and heavy trucks, making crossing the road a risky business.
By the late 1960s the local Chamber of Commerce began agitating for improvements to the Lane Cove shopping centre. The area was dusty, noisy and held a few neglected vacant shops. After discussions with shopkeepers, University of NSW final year architecture students studied the area and produced reports, plans and models for public exhibition in 1971. A special committee with community representation was formed and they recommended that Burns Bay Road between Rosenthal Avenue and Longueville Road be converted to a pedestrian mall. Businesses and shoppers were surveyed by Council consultants who recommended the pedestrian mall proceed.
By 1973, Council engineers and planning departments were working through the process of creating a plaza. This involved widening Rosenthal Avenue, planning extra carparking and the logistics of deliveries for businesses. Early in 1974, legislation to close part of the road was introduced to State Parliament. Council’s consultant landscape architect, Harry Howard, was commissioned to prepare a preliminary design. Permission to close part of Burns Bay Road for a three-month trial period was given, starting 11th November 1974. Following the trial, public opinion was divided with some forming the ‘keep the plaza’ campaign and others active in the ‘against’ side. By 1975 there was a change of management at the Chamber of Commerce, accompanied by a view that “if cars didn’t go past their door, a shop didn’t do any business.”
Council decided to adhere to their decision to retain the plaza, despite petitions against it and objections from the Chamber of Commerce. In 1976 several shopkeepers from the affected part of Burns Bay Road opposed the closure in the Equity Court and won their case. Council then took the matter to the Court of Appeal, which decided in its favour. On 24th December 1976, the closure of Burns Bay Road was advertised in the NSW Government Gazette and in 1977 work commenced to construct the plaza to the detailed design completed by Harry Howard the previous year.
On 26th November 1977, the Lane Cove Plaza was officially opened by Mayor Bill Henningham, along with John Dowd, State Member for Lane Cove and John Howard, Federal Member for Bennelong. The program of events on the day included cultural dancing, physical education display, fancy dress, musical bands and choirs and would set the tone for future activities and events.
Local artist Lloyd Rees proposed the addition of a fountain and bandstand. Following discussions, Harry Howard designed the Lloyd Rees Bandstand which was officially opened by Mayor Rosyln Baxter in April 1983. The name ‘Lane Cove Plaza’ was also officially gazetted in 1983.
In the last 40 years, the Plaza has undergone a number of refurbishments to keep it functioning as the heart of the Lane Cove village community.
For details on Council activities to help mark the 40th anniversary, visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/lovewhereyoushop
The newly paved Lane Cove Plaza, taken from the centre looking towards Longueville Road, 1976.
A concept plan by Harry Howard and Associates for renovating Lane Cove Plaza, dated September 1982. (Courtesy of Harry Howard and Associates)
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