Council’s Main Street Revitalisation Program aims to significantly improve the vibrancy, accessibility, and safety of our public spaces and local streets. By enhancing their unique character and aesthetic appeal, the program transforms these areas into more inviting, community-focused environments.
Re-imagining and regenerating the use of public spaces is a proven catalyst for driving economic growth and increasing local spend. By creating high-quality precincts where residents and visitors want to linger and connect rather than just pass through, Council can effectively stimulate the local daytime and nighttime economies.
Council has allocated $7.5 million in funding for our Main Street Revitalisation projects. This is around $1.5 million for each ward.
In 2023, businesses and the community were invited to pitch ideas to make their main street more attractive, with 73 ideas submitted.
Ideas have been categorised into the following broad project areas.
Heritage Pub Trail plaques
In collaboration with the local chamber of commerce, Council installed a series of plaques with a QR code linking to a map of heritage pubs in the Balmain-Rozelle area.
Visitors can follow the trail using interactive maps or by scanning QR-coded heritage plaques outside participating venues to discover each stop's unique history, architectural charm, and modern offerings.
An example of the installation can be seen below.
For more information of the Balmain Rozelle Heritage Pub Trail visit the Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce website.
Enmore Road Walk of Fame
In August 2024, we unveiled the first in a series of footpath plaques on the Enmore Road Walk of Fame.
The plaque commemorates the Bangarra Dance Theatre, which launched its first national tour from the Enmore Theatre in 1994.
The remaining plaques have been through an public nomination and voting process held in partnership between Inner West Council and The Enmore Theatre. Visit the Enmore Theatre website for more information.
The Enmore Walk of Fame plaques are expected to be installed and completed later in 2026.
Mini plazas and parklets
New 'mini plazas' populated with inviting street furniture and plants will provide a place for people to enjoy the main streets.
These table settings are an example of street furniture installations in Hercules Street, Ashfield. They are designed to offer a place to relax and enjoy something to eat while socialising. The design is wheelchair-friendly.
Other completed street furniture in Dulwich Hill and Stanmore features seat and table settings, along with decorative seat and planter installations.
Marrickville Road, Dulwich Hill
Percival Road, Stanmore
Inner West Council is commencing works to create temporary on street dining and seating parklet areas on Australia Street in Newtown. These trial parklets will create a vibrant space where the community can gather, chat and enjoy local businesses. An example of a parklet can be seen below.
An example of a parklet in Enmore.
Verge greening
Council staff have been busy working on new verge greening, with 10 sites now completed.
Council will soon install new street furniture and verge greening on Illawarra Road in Marrickville, at the corner of Byrnes Street.
Improvements will include:
- New public seating areas
- Widening garden beds around the base of existing street trees
- Planting additional greenery to enhance the streetscape
Public domain works
Inner West Council is developing a new plan for the revitalisation of Loyalty Square in Balmain. Loyalty Square is the place where we commemorate our fallen soldiers each ANZAC Day, as well as the site of the first War Memorial in Australia to be built with funds raised by the community.
The square is at the heart of historic Balmain and needs to be improved as a space that the whole community can enjoy.
Inner West Council will temporarily pedestrianise sections of London and Simmons Streets in Enmore, transforming them into vibrant street plazas from December 2025.
This exciting six-month trial is part of Council's Main Street Revitalisation program, which aims to reimagine both London and Simmons Streets and transform them into spaces where the community can sit, chat and enjoy local businesses.
If you have any questions about this program, please contact economicdevelopmentteam@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
In 2023, Inner West Council asked the community for feedback on proposed improvements to Ashfield Town Hall Square located at 260 Liverpool Road Ashfield, including a new public artwork.
Community feedback supported both the artwork and the upgrades, with many people expressing a desire to see the artwork celebrate both Chinese and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Banners
Street banners play a key role in main street revitalisation programs by enhancing the visual appeal of public spaces, reinforcing local community identity, and effectively promoting local events and businesses.
These have been installed in Marrickville Road, Marrickville and Ramsay Street, Haberfield.